Content
Pregnancy is a period during which global changes occur in the female body. Many taste preferences change, and disruptions in the functioning of body systems may occur. Women who are expecting a child have to be especially careful: monitor their own health, as well as ensure that the unborn baby develops correctly and receives important and useful elements. Many people consume pumpkin seeds during pregnancy, but this is not always beneficial.
Is it possible to eat pumpkin seeds during pregnancy?
To the question: can pregnant women eat pumpkin seeds, doctors give an affirmative answer. But then they begin to list the accompanying circumstances. Consumption depends on several factors:
- health status of the 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 can be included in the diet during pregnancy due to their beneficial composition, including:
- Vitamins. During pregnancy, various diseases worsen, so to prevent and eliminate the risk of deterioration in health, pregnant women need additional vitamins.
- Microelements. Necessary for the mother to maintain health at the same level, useful for the baby as a foundation for the further development of body systems.
- Polyunsaturated acids. Helps prevent the formation of fatty deposits. This makes 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 necessary 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 during 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, and about 12 g of carbohydrates. Their calorie content is about 350 kcal.
What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds for pregnant women?
The benefits of pumpkin seeds for pregnant women depend on monitoring their intake. 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 formation of vital organs in the fetus.
Pumpkin seeds help improve digestive processes. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the seeds, when taken, intestinal function is normalized and stool improves.
Pumpkin seeds can be useful for pregnant women and as an aid in detecting worms. These phenomena must be completely eliminated from the body, and in such a task, pumpkin seeds can become a good preventive measure.
The microelements of the composition have a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system, which is especially useful for the mother, and also contributes to the proper development of the child.
Among microelements, iron is considered important for pregnant women. It is necessary to stabilize the hematopoietic system, which bears a double load.
Many attribute pumpkin seeds to the ability to calm the nervous system, which is especially important for pregnant women, who suffer from rapid mood swings. But this statement is controversial. The habit of distracting anxious thoughts from yourself by popping pumpkin seeds can lead to their excessive consumption.
Admission rules
The degree of positive effect on the body of a pregnant woman depends on control over consumption. In addition, the rules of administration and dosage depend on the period the woman is in.
In the early stages
The first trimester is characterized by the appearance 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 accepts few products.
In the second half, the product can become a preventative against constipation, which affects most pregnant women.
In the later stages
As pregnancy progresses, the state of the body's main systems changes. The amount of pumpkin seeds consumed in late pregnancy is reduced. It is especially important to reduce uncontrolled use 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 if pregnant women can eat raw pumpkin seeds. It seems like you need to avoid raw foods during pregnancy. In the case of pumpkin seeds, the opposite is true.
Raw pumpkin grains contain useful vitamins and microelements, while fried ones lose most of their beneficial properties.
Type | Calorie content (kcal) | Fat content (g) |
Raw | 350 | 30 |
Fried | About 600 | 47,5 |
When frying, the property of structural fiber to have a positive effect on the digestive system is lost. In addition, during heat treatment, the formation of harmful carcinogens occurs. For the diet of pregnant women, it is recommended to choose diet-type dishes: boiled or steamed.
Raw pumpkin seeds are used as a prophylactic against worms as part of traditional medicine recipes. The product made from crushed grains with milk has received a lot of reviews.Before preparing any medicinal composition, you should consult with your doctor managing your pregnancy.
Restrictions and contraindications
During pregnancy there is a long list of contraindications. Pumpkin grains may be prohibited in some cases:
- Allergy. In pregnant women who are prone to allergic reactions, the body's responses to foods may be exacerbated. Pumpkin can be a strong allergen. In addition, the body’s reaction 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. Stomach diseases during pregnancy are especially dangerous. Due to minor inflammations that pumpkin seeds can cause, complications develop. Taking foods that irritate the stomach walls can affect acidity levels, which is undesirable during pregnancy.
- The formation of extra pounds. Excess weight is one of the main problems during pregnancy. In addition to gaining the necessary weight for pregnant women, fat deposition occurs due to hormonal imbalance. If consumed in excess, high-calorie seeds can cause an imbalance.
- Damage to tooth enamel. During pregnancy and the postpartum period, the condition of a woman’s teeth is subject to special stress. Therefore, if tooth enamel is damaged, it is recommended to stop taking such products.
Pregnancy progresses differently for every woman. Contrary to popular belief that constipation occurs in pregnant women, some women systematically experience diarrhea.If this condition bothers you and creates discomfort, you should stop taking foods that cause diarrhea, such as pumpkin seeds.
Conclusion
Pumpkin seeds during pregnancy can be useful in case of a lack of necessary micro- and macroelements. They help pregnant women get rid of heartburn and reduce discomfort during toxicosis. Excessive intake can lead to undesirable consequences, so pregnant women are advised to control the amount during intake.
