Content
- 1 Why do you crave oranges during pregnancy?
- 2 What are the benefits of oranges for pregnant women?
- 3 Is it possible to eat oranges during pregnancy?
- 4 Can pregnant women drink freshly squeezed orange juice?
- 5 Rules for eating oranges
- 6 How to choose the right one
- 7 Why pregnant women can't have oranges
- 8 Recipes
- 9 Conclusion
During pregnancy, a woman's need for vitamins and minerals increases, since these components are necessary for the full development of the fetus. Therefore, nutrition should be varied, balanced and must include fruits. However, whether oranges can be consumed by pregnant women needs to be figured out. After all, citrus fruits belong to the category of products that can cause allergies. But they are also characterized by a rich chemical composition, which makes it possible to eliminate the deficiency of nutrients in the body.
Judging by the reviews, most of all a woman wants an orange at the initial stage of pregnancy
Why do you crave oranges during pregnancy?
Pregnant women experience hormonal changes in their bodies. And against the background of this, her taste preferences also change.Therefore, many expectant mothers want oranges during pregnancy, even if they did not really like this fruit before.
Other reasons:
- With toxicosis in the body of the expectant mother, the production of gastric juice, as well as enzymes involved in the digestion process, is reduced. Against this background, in the early stages of pregnancy, appetite decreases, a feeling of nausea and bouts of vomiting appear. Therefore, the desire to eat an orange may be caused by its high content of organic acids, which normalize metabolic processes and digestion.
- The desire to eat citrus or drink orange juice during pregnancy may be a signal from the body that it is lacking certain components, such as folic acid and vitamin C.
- In some cases, the desire to eat an orange during pregnancy is caused by a lack of iron and low hemoglobin levels.
- Organic acids contained in oranges improve calcium absorption. And this component is especially important when fetal bone tissue is formed. This explains the desire to eat an orange during pregnancy in the 1st trimester and beyond.
What are the benefits of oranges for pregnant women?
During the period of gestation, eating these citrus fruits, according to doctors, is not only possible, but also necessary. This is due to the fact that they contain vital components necessary for a woman’s health and the full development of the baby. After all, a pregnant woman’s body works in an enhanced mode, so nutritional components are consumed at an accelerated pace.
The chemical composition of oranges includes:
- vitamins of group B, A, C, PP;
- a complex of micro- and macroelements;
- organic acids and salts;
- gluten
The calorie content of 100 g of fresh citrus fruits is 36 Kcal.Therefore, oranges bring great benefits to the body during pregnancy and do not contribute to excess weight gain.
Other beneficial properties of citrus:
- strengthens the immune system;
- increases resistance to viruses, bacteria, infections;
- improves blood flow to the fetus;
- relieves heartburn;
- prevents swelling;
- relieves constipation;
- normalizes the functioning of internal organs and systems, metabolic processes;
- increases stomach acidity;
- reduces the likelihood of placental abruption;
- minimizes the risk of developing pathologies in the baby.
Orange benefits pregnant women only when ripe.
Is it possible to eat oranges during pregnancy?
This citrus is a source of useful components that are necessary during gestation. After all, the health of the unborn baby depends on the mother’s nutrition and her emotional state at this time. According to doctors, you can eat oranges during pregnancy in any trimester, if you are not allergic to them.
Is it possible for pregnant women to eat oranges in the early stages?
In the first trimester, when hormonal changes occur in the body, a woman may be overcome by a feeling of fear, she quickly gets tired, and is easily irritated. In this case, the smell of orange helps improve mood, tune in to a positive mood, and normalize the emotional state.
In the early stages of pregnancy, sudden surges in blood pressure occur. But regular consumption of oranges helps normalize it. This is due to the high potassium content in fruits.
Citrus also helps avoid dehydration, since many women suffer from severe toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy, which is accompanied by vomiting and nausea.
Orange helps avoid dehydration and replenishes the lack of fluid in the body. Citrus in the first trimester of pregnancy is also necessary for the health of the baby. After all, during this period the neural tube of the fetus is formed, and folic acid is necessary for this. Vitamin A also affects the development of the visual system.
Orange boosts the mother's immunity and protects the fetus from infections
Is it possible to have oranges during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester?
In the second trimester of pregnancy there are sharp changes in the height and weight of the child. Therefore, a balanced diet is required that can satisfy the increased need for vitamins and minerals.
During this period of pregnancy, the baby’s body forms its own “reserve” of useful components, using the maternal resource. Therefore, often in the second trimester, the expectant mother’s hemoglobin decreases; red meat, fish, pomegranates and oranges help increase it.
In addition, citrus helps in the second trimester of pregnancy:
- Avoid constipation due to high fiber content;
- remove excess fluid from the body;
- improve appetite.
But, starting from week 20, it is recommended to temporarily exclude orange fruit from the expectant mother’s diet. This is due to the fact that at this time the child’s immunity is formed. And citrus can trigger the development of allergies.
Can pregnant women eat oranges in the 3rd trimester?
Orange must also be eaten in late pregnancy. After all, a lack of vitamins and minerals can cause congenital pathologies in a baby.However, the closer to childbirth, the greater the likelihood that the expectant mother will develop an allergy to citrus. Therefore, it should be consumed in doses and not overeat.
Orange in the third trimester of pregnancy helps:
- improve intestinal motility;
- prevent swelling;
- make up for the lack of useful components.
Can pregnant women drink freshly squeezed orange juice?
Pregnant women can not only eat oranges, but also drink orange-based juice. However, it is recommended to prepare the drink yourself at home. Orange juice with pulp is especially useful for pregnant women, because it contains a lot of dietary fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the digestive system.
It is recommended to drink a natural drink in the first half of the day. However, you should use orange juice with caution during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester, since at this time the likelihood of an allergic reaction increases.
If desired, you can also add green apples to the drink.
Rules for eating oranges
There is no clearly defined rule for how much citrus fruit a pregnant woman can eat. But, according to doctors, the optimal daily dosage is 1-2 pcs. This amount is sufficient to meet the need for vitamins and mineral components, and is also safe for the health of the woman and baby.
During pregnancy, fresh orange juice or juice can be drunk in the amount of 200 ml per day. But before preparing it, you need to thoroughly wash the citrus fruits and peel them. It is recommended to drink the drink in the first half of the day.
There is a belief that if a pregnant woman wants an orange, she will give birth to a girl.
How to choose the right one
Citrus fruits and freshly squeezed orange juice will benefit pregnant women only when the fruit is ripe. Therefore, when purchasing, you need to pay attention to its appearance. The color of oranges should be uniform, deep orange. The fruit should also exude a pleasant citrus aroma. You can also determine the ripeness of a fruit by its weight. Ripe oranges are an order of magnitude heavier than green ones.
Why pregnant women can't have oranges
Orange for pregnant women can bring not only benefits, but also harm. To exclude this, you need to familiarize yourself in advance with the existing contraindications of this fruit.
Among them:
- food allergies;
- chronic gastritis with high acidity;
- ulcer;
- diabetes;
- pancreatitis;
- cholecystitis.
Recipes
During pregnancy, not only orange juice and fresh fruit are useful, but also dishes based on them. This will significantly diversify the menu of the expectant mother.
Orange jam in the microwave
This dessert is prepared very quickly, which allows it to retain most of the vitamins and minerals of fresh fruit. Therefore, it will benefit the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus.
You will need:
- 2-3 oranges;
- 4 tbsp. l. Sahara;
- ½ lemon.
Cooking process:
- Wash citrus fruits thoroughly.
- Remove the skins from them.
- Peel the slices from the top shell.
- Place the citrus pulp in a blender cup.
- Grind until smooth at medium speed.
- Pour into a heat-resistant bowl.
- Squeeze the juice from the lemon.
- Add it to the oranges.
- Add sugar and mix thoroughly.
- Place the bowl in the microwave.
- Set the mode to 800 W.
- Turn on for seven minutes.
- After time has passed, stir.
- Restart the microwave for five minutes.
Transfer the finished jam into a sterilized jar and cover with a lid. It is recommended to store it in the refrigerator.
The amount of sugar in the jam needs to be adjusted depending on the sweetness of the citrus fruits.
Orange pudding
This light, refreshing dessert can quickly improve your mood during pregnancy. After all, its light orange flavor gives you a feeling of vigor.
You will need:
- 2 oranges;
- 300 ml milk;
- 5 yolks;
- 100 g sugar;
- 20 g gelatin.
Cooking process:
- Wash citrus fruits thoroughly.
- Remove the zest without touching the white layer.
- Grind it up.
- Separately, squeeze the juice from the oranges and add gelatin to it.
- Stir and wait for the thickener to swell.
- Beat the yolks separately.
- Pour milk into a saucepan, add zest.
- Add sugar.
- Add beaten yolks.
- Stir and put on fire.
- Cook until the mass thickens.
- Add juice with gelatin.
- Stir and remove from heat.
- Pour the resulting mixture into the mold.
- Place in the refrigerator for 7-8 hours.
You can add other fruits to the pudding
Conclusion
Oranges are not contraindicated for pregnant women if consumption does not cause allergies. Therefore, experts recommend starting to introduce citrus into your diet with a small amount. And only in the absence of a negative reaction from the body, gradually increase the consumption rate.
