Content
White cabbage during pregnancy is a very controversial product. On the one hand, it contains vitamins, minerals and fiber that are important for the expectant mother, but on the other hand, it causes discomfort in the digestive organs. Also, women during pregnancy need to consider in what form they prefer to consume this product.
Can pregnant women eat white cabbage?
White cabbage is a unique product in composition - it contains many vitamins and minerals.
With the onset of pregnancy, many things change in a woman’s life, especially taste preferences. Some people give up their usual foods and switch to foods that they have never eaten before. The most responsible expectant mothers often force themselves to eat foods that contain more nutrients for the benefit of the baby.
But not all vegetables and fruits are equally beneficial for a pregnant woman and fetus. Each person's body is individual.Everyone may have a different reaction to the same food product. It is important to understand that everything good should be in moderation, especially during pregnancy. During this period, you need to carefully listen to your needs and manifestations of the body.
Pregnant women often have questions about white cabbage. They do not know whether it can be consumed and in what form it is most useful. It should be noted that this vegetable contains many useful substances that have a beneficial effect on some organs that experience increased stress during pregnancy. Nutritionists approve of the use of this product because it is dietary.
Cabbage during early pregnancy
In the first trimester of pregnancy, the formation of all important organs and systems in the fetal body occurs. During this period, you need to monitor your diet especially closely. White cabbage contains substances that the fetus needs during its formation. Such substances include iron, folic acid, vitamin C. These components are also necessary for the expectant mother. They will prevent anemia and help strengthen the immune system. Obstetricians and gynecologists often recommend introducing sauerkraut into the diet. It is the most fortified.
Cabbage during late pregnancy
The product goes well with cereals, meat, chicken
At a later date, it is better to avoid pickled and pickled white cabbage, since the salt contained in it contributes to the formation of edema.The baby in the womb continues to grow and develop; its mass puts pressure on the kidneys, which contributes to some swelling. The fruit still needs vitamins and minerals, and cabbage contains a lot of potassium, which removes excess liquid, so you can’t give it up completely. You need to switch to stewed or raw cabbage in salads, so it will bring more benefits during pregnancy. However, it is not recommended to over-salt dishes.
What are the benefits of white cabbage for pregnant women?
The product is most accessible and in demand in winter. It is necessary in the diet of pregnant women. The benefits are as follows:
- regulation of metabolic processes;
- analgesic effect;
- anti-inflammatory effect;
- removal of cholesterol and bile;
- increasing the overall tone of the body;
- strengthening vascular walls.
In addition, its positive effect on digestion is noted. The beneficial properties are due to the vitamins C, E, D, B, K included in the composition, as well as the minerals potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and molybdenum.
Why is white cabbage harmful for pregnant women?
Cabbage can harm the body of a pregnant woman only in the case of any pathology in the gastrointestinal tract. Especially if you use it in unlimited quantities. This can lead to exacerbation of diseases of the digestive tract, bloating, and diarrhea.
Contraindications to white cabbage during pregnancy
You should stop using it in the following cases:
- spasms in the stomach and intestines;
- individual intolerance to the components included in the composition;
- predisposition to gas formation;
- peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract;
- haemorrhoids;
- constipation;
- pathologies in the thyroid gland.
It is worth limiting the consumption of pickled and pickled vegetables to those who have edema, and replacing fresh stewed vegetables for gastritis and pancreatitis.
How to cook cabbage during pregnancy
The vegetable contains a lot of fiber, which is important for a pregnant woman
It is most often used pickled, stewed, or fresh. During pregnancy, pickled white cabbage helps get rid of headaches and cope with toxicosis. In the first half of gestation, it can be added to your diet in order to compensate for the lack of salt, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Nutritionists recommend adding a portion of carrots, fresh herbs, and sunflower oil to the dish. It is imperative to follow the norm so as not to cause bloating.
Stewed white cabbage is perfectly absorbed in the stomach and intestines and is a dietary dish. Nutrition experts advise adding onions, beans, and potatoes to cabbage, which will increase the beneficial qualities of the product. Many women stew some other varieties of this vegetable along with white cabbage. The resulting mix will diversify your diet and enrich it with protein.
A variety of salads are prepared from fresh white cabbage during pregnancy. Fresh vegetables contain much more useful substances, they are well absorbed by the body, but such salads cannot be a separate dish, because they will not saturate the body. Nutritionists point out that you should not eat the stalk - it contains the highest concentration of nitrates.
Useful tips
Pickled or pickled vegetables contain a lot of ascorbic acid
You need to choose the right vegetable at the market, guided by the following tips:
- the color should be light green;
- the head of cabbage is dense, tight, without deformation;
- the leaves at the base should not be too thick - this indicates a glut of nitrates;
- appearance of the vegetable without dark spots or cracks.
If the vegetable grows on the plot, it is worth knowing that the shelf life of cabbage depends on the variety. The average period is about 4 months, provided that it is properly stored in a basement or cellar. In this case, the vegetable is wrapped in paper and placed on a shelf or in drawers.
Cabbage can and should be combined with other vegetables, meat, chicken, cereals, potatoes, and cheese. Therefore, many healthy and tasty dishes are prepared from it.
Conclusion
White cabbage during pregnancy is an indispensable product because it contains many essential vitamins, macro and microelements, fiber and at the same time a minimum of calories. It is important to listen to the body and its reaction to the introduction of new foods into the diet. Nutritionists do not recommend uncontrolled consumption of vegetables.
