Exploring the acceptability of seaweed consumption among pregnant individuals

Background Seaweed is a nutrient-dense, sustainable, and underutilized food source. Despite its growing popularity, little is known about its consumption and related perceptions during pregnancy. Aim To (1) explore perceptions of health, environmental concerns, and seaweed consumption among pregnant individuals; (2) characterize their seaweed consumption patterns; and (3) identify factors shaping their attitudes and choices regarding seaweed. Methods Data were collected via an online survey developed for this study, incorporating items from the Health Consciousness Scale and questions assessing perceptions, consumption patterns, and attitudes related to seaweed among 120 pregnant participants across all trimesters. Descriptive and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results In terms of health perceptions, most respondents (91.7%) reported being actively engaged in their health, and a majority (81.7%) agreed that the healthfulness of foods greatly influences their dietary choices. Regarding seaweed consumption, 70.8% of participants had consumed seaweed at least once during pregnancy. In addition, 60.0% of respondents expressed a positive attitude toward seaweed. Conclusions Incorporating seaweed into dietary recommendations during pregnancy may offer both nutritional and environmental benefits. Future research should prioritize rigorous safety assessments to establish evidence-based guidance for seaweed consumption among pregnant individuals.