Content
Pregnancy is a period during which global changes take place in the female body. Many taste preferences change, and malfunctions of the body's systems may occur. Women who are expecting a child have to be especially careful: to monitor their own health, as well as to ensure that the future baby develops correctly and receives important and useful elements. Many people use pumpkin seeds during pregnancy, but this is not always beneficial.
Is it possible to pumpkin seeds during pregnancy
To the question: is it possible for pregnant women to eat pumpkin seeds, doctors give an affirmative answer. But then they begin to enumerate the accompanying circumstances. The use depends on several factors:
- the state of health of a pregnant woman;
- the body's needs for nutrients;
- features of fetal development.
For some pregnant women, a special diet is developed taking into account all factors.
Composition and value
Pumpkin seeds during pregnancy can be included in the diet due to their beneficial composition, including:
- Vitamins... During pregnancy, various diseases are aggravated, therefore, to prevent and eliminate the risk of deteriorating health, pregnant women need additional vitamins.
- Trace elements... Necessary for mom to maintain health at the same level, useful for the baby as a foundation for the further development of body systems.
- Polyunsaturated acids... Contributes to the prevention of the formation of fatty deposits. This makes the pregnancy easier and also helps the delivery process.
- Amino acids... Building material for the cells of the mother and the unborn baby. The functioning of organs depends on it.
- Carotenoids... These elements are essential for the construction of parts of the fetal visual apparatus. In addition, they serve as stabilizers of the body's defenses: due to the content of carotenoids, natural immunity increases.
- Healthy fatty acids... They are especially important in the formation of the fetus. Omega-3 acid is a preventive element that prevents the development of many diseases. A sufficient acid content will protect the mother from complications, and the baby from developmental deficiencies.
At the same time, 100 g of pumpkin seeds contain about 30 g of fat, more than 15 g of protein, about 12 g of carbohydrates. Their calorie content is about 350 kcal.
Why are pumpkin seeds useful for pregnant women?
The benefits of pumpkin seeds for pregnant women are related to intake control. If you do not neglect the rules of use and imagine how the elements of the composition affect the body, then you can extract many useful properties.
Among the variety of vitamins, the product contains folic acid. This is a substance that all women, without exception, take during pregnancy. Folic acid of natural origin is especially useful during the stages of the formation of vital organs in the fetus.
Pumpkin seeds help to improve digestive processes. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the seeds, when taken, the intestinal function normalizes, and the stool improves.
Pumpkin seeds can be useful for pregnant women and as an aid in detecting worms. These phenomena must be completely excluded from the body, and in such a task, pumpkin seeds can be a good prophylactic agent.
Trace elements of the composition have a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system, which is especially beneficial for the mother, and also contributes to the correct development of the child.
Among the trace elements, iron is considered important for pregnant women. It is necessary to stabilize the hematopoietic system, which carries a double load.
Many people attribute the ability to calm the nervous system to pumpkin seeds, which is especially important for pregnant women who have mood swings. But this claim is controversial. The habit of distracting anxious thoughts from yourself by clicking pumpkin seeds can lead to excessive intake.
Admission rules
The degree of positive effect on the body of a pregnant woman depends on the control over consumption. In addition, the rules of admission and dosage depend on the period on which the woman is.
In the early stages
The first trimester is characterized by the onset of toxicosis. This condition is associated with constant nausea, loss of appetite, and lack of fluid in the body.
Pumpkin seeds help fight toxicosis or heartburn. Pregnant women are advised to use 5 - 10 pieces when nausea approaches. You can consume up to 30 - 40 pieces per day. The benefits of pumpkin seeds in early pregnancy are easy to digest. Sometimes situations arise associated with the manifestation of severe toxicosis, when a woman's body perceives few products.
In the second half, the product can become a preventive measure against constipation, which most pregnant women suffer from.
At a later date
With the course of pregnancy, the state of the main body systems changes. The amount of pumpkin seeds consumed in late pregnancy is reduced. It is especially important to reduce uncontrolled reception if a woman has gained extra pounds. In the last trimester, about 10 - 20 pieces per day are recommended.
Raw or fried
Many women wonder: is it possible for pregnant women to have raw pumpkin seeds. It feels like you should avoid raw foods during pregnancy. In the case of pumpkin seeds, the opposite is true.
Raw pumpkin grains contain useful vitamins and minerals, fried ones lose most of their beneficial properties.
A type | Calorie content (kcal) | Fat content (g) |
Raw | 350 | 30 |
Fried | About 600 | 47,5 |
When frying, the property of structural fiber is lost to have a positive effect on the digestive system. In addition, during heat treatment, harmful substances-carcinogens are formed. For the diet of pregnant women, it is recommended to choose dietary type dishes: boiled or steamed.
Raw pumpkin seeds are used as a prophylactic agent for worms as part of traditional medicine recipes. The product made from crushed grains with milk has earned many reviews. Before preparing any medicinal composition, it is necessary to consult with a doctor leading a pregnancy.
Limitations and contraindications
During pregnancy, there is a large list of contraindications. Pumpkin seeds may be prohibited in some cases:
- Allergy... In pregnant women who are prone to allergic reactions, the body's responses to food may be exacerbated. Pumpkin can become a strong allergen. In addition, the reaction of the body can be provoked not by the composition of the fruit and its seeds, but by the outer shell, which is called the husk or shell.
- Exacerbation of peptic ulcers, gastritis... Diseases of the stomach during pregnancy are especially dangerous. Because of the minor inflammations that pumpkin seeds can cause, complications develop. Ingestion of foods that irritate the stomach wall can affect acidity, which is undesirable during pregnancy.
- The formation of extra pounds... Being overweight is one of the main problems during pregnancy.In addition to gaining the weight necessary for pregnant women, fat is deposited due to hormonal imbalance. High-calorie seeds, if consumed excessively, can cause imbalances.
- Disruption of tooth enamel... During pregnancy and the postpartum period, the condition of a woman's teeth is particularly stressed. Therefore, in case of violation of tooth enamel, it is recommended to stop taking such products.
Pregnancy proceeds differently for every woman. Contrary to popular belief that constipation occurs in pregnant women, some women systematically develop diarrhea. If this condition bothers you and creates discomfort, then you should stop taking diarrhea-provoking foods such as pumpkin seeds.
Conclusion
Pumpkin seeds during pregnancy can be useful in case of a lack of essential micro and macro elements. They help pregnant women get rid of heartburn and reduce discomfort during toxicosis. Excessive intake can lead to undesirable consequences, therefore, pregnant women are advised to control the amount while taking.
