Content
Strawberries during breastfeeding are one of the most desirable and dangerous foods. Most mothers are wary of introducing this berry into their diet, fearing consequences such as allergies.
Can I eat strawberries while breastfeeding?
Views about what a nursing mother is allowed or prohibited from eating change every year. And if earlier doctors strictly limited women, excluding not only strawberries, but also citrus fruits, cabbage, spices, sweets and a number of other edibles, now the point of view has changed.
As for strawberries, you can eat them, but subject to a certain number of rules.
Reasons why fruits should be introduced into the diet with caution:
- The baby’s body does not immediately get used to aggressive factors from the outside world; any impact for him is stress.
- Allergy to strawberries during breastfeeding. If a mother can eat it without restriction, this does not mean that the child will not have a negative reaction to it in the form of a rash.It is noteworthy that if the mother is not allowed strawberries, then the child may not inherit this trait.
- Berries purchased out of season have a high risk of containing nitrates, which are dangerous not only for the body, the baby, but also for the woman.
The benefits of strawberries for breastfeeding
Breastfed mothers love the fruits for their rich aroma and bright taste. But the sweet, sour pulp also contains many useful substances:
- vitamins A, C and B;
- pectins, fiber;
- folic acid;
- calcium;
- iodine;
- phosphorus and potassium.
The pulp contains no fats or cholesterol, but contains nutrients. This has a greater impact on the calorie content of the product. 100 g of strawberries contain 32 kcal. If you freeze fruits without sugar, this figure increases to 35 kcal. Housewives who sweeten the pulp increase its calorie content to 96 kcal.
100 g of canned strawberries with sugar has 92 kcal. But if you dry it, then 100 g of dried fruit accounts for 291.5 kcal.
Women suffering from hypovitaminosis or uterine bleeding should include berries in their diet. Strawberries can be given to nursing mothers with high blood pressure and a weakened immune system.
Most of the beneficial substances from the pulp are absorbed by the body almost completely. But nutritionists advise breastfeeding mothers to eat the fruit as a dessert. This is due to the high content of organic acids in the product, which can cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.
Dried fruits have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. With their regular use, a diuretic and antipyretic effect can be noted.The functions of the thyroid gland are also stimulated, depression and apathy go away.
Rules for eating strawberries during breastfeeding
Immediately after the birth of the baby, it is recommended to refrain from including not only berries, but also most foods on the menu for 30 days. It is during this period that the digestive system begins to work, sensitive to any influence.
In 1-2 months of breastfeeding, you should also not experiment with products: the baby may develop diarrhea, colic, and intestinal dysbiosis. It is recommended to take into account that strawberries are a strong allergen that can cause a rash.
For 3-4 months of breastfeeding, you can introduce berries into your diet. By this time, the child’s digestive system will be stronger, so the mother can eat 1-2 fresh fruits once a week.
At 5-6 months of breastfeeding, you can actively eat strawberries, provided that the berry did not cause any complications previously. Otherwise, you need to start with 1-2 pieces every 2-3 days. If there are no side effects, then it is allowed to increase the amount.
At 7-8 months, both baby and mother can eat strawberries freely. But it should be remembered that overuse of the product can lead to skin rashes in both.
Options for using fruits are fresh or baked. A variation of adding them to compotes and fruit drinks, milkshakes is allowed. It is allowed to introduce canned and dried strawberries into the diet, but you need to take into account the amount of sugar in the finished product.
Contraindications
The berry causes harm to the body in the following situations:
- individual intolerance to the product;
- excessively eaten amount of fruit.
Strawberries will not be beneficial either if they are unripe or if they were grown in violation of the principles of agricultural technology.
It is definitely impossible to predict the adverse effect on the body from eating berries. According to studies, if it is regularly eaten while breastfeeding, there is a risk of damaging tooth enamel.
It is recommended for young mothers suffering from intestinal upset and diarrhea, or with a history of chronic diseases of the stomach and pancreas, to refuse the treat.
Conclusion
Strawberries during breastfeeding are allowed for mothers who have no contraindications to their consumption. In order for the berry to be beneficial, you need to take into account the child’s characteristics and purchase the product only from trusted suppliers. The rate of consumption depends on the individual tolerance of strawberry components. But regardless of the feeding period, you should start with 2-3 pieces per week.