Beetroot
Beetroot is safe during pregnancy, cooked or raw, and a good source of folate — one of the most important nutrients in early pregnancy.
Beetroot is safe to eat during pregnancy in any form — roasted, boiled, pickled, juiced, or grated raw into a salad. It's a particularly good source of folate, which supports the prevention of neural tube defects and is especially important in the first trimester, alongside a folic acid supplement. Beetroot also provides fibre, potassium, and nitrates, which some research links to healthy blood pressure. As with other raw vegetables, wash beetroot thoroughly before eating raw or juicing it to remove soil. It's worth knowing that eating beetroot can turn urine or stools pink or red — a harmless and well-known effect, not a cause for concern.
What to be aware of
- Wash beetroot thoroughly before eating raw, juicing, or cooking.
- Pickled beetroot is safe; check labels if watching sodium intake.
- Pink or red urine or stools after eating beetroot is harmless and expected.
- Beetroot juice is safe in moderation as part of a varied diet.
NHS guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
US guidance
No specific US guidance differs from the NHS here — beetroot is considered a safe, ordinary vegetable in both.