Cashew during pregnancy: benefits and harms

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Nutritious and tasty cashew nuts have long ceased to be considered exotic products. Increasingly, they can be seen in the diet of pregnant women. And what are the benefits and harms of this nut? We will consider the answer to this question in the article.

Features of the walnut

Cashews, unlike almonds, pistachios, peanuts and other products that are commonly called nuts, are a real nut, unlike the rest. The above fruits are more correctly attributed to legumes and seeds. The cashew fruit consists of a stalk called an apple and the nut itself, which is on top of this apple in a hard shell.

Both components of this product can be eaten. However, we only know the walnut.

In Europe, cashews during pregnancy and the benefits of this product have been known for a very long time. Walnut is considered a necessary product in the diet of expectant mothers. And in England there was even a sign that if a woman wants to get pregnant and bear a he althy baby, then she just needs to eat cashews. In ancient Babylon, the nut was considered a product that ordinary people could use. It was forbidden due to the fact that it activates the activity of the brain. And ordinary people with high intelligence at that time were not needed for power.

Fortunately, cashew nuts are now available in any supermarket.

What is the use of a nut?

There are more than enough useful components in cashews. The product includes in its composition a lot of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, cashew nuts during pregnancy are of high value.

The nut contains:

1. Minerals - magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, calcium, selenium and sodium.
2. Unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3, Omega-9 and Omega-6) are highly beneficial for brain activity.
3. B vitamins contribute to the normalization of the nervous system. Accordingly, the risk of depression is significantly reduced.

In addition, it is important to note that cashews affect the reduction of uterine hypertonicity due to magnesium, which is in the product. And unsaturated acids contribute to the normalization of blood vessels, prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.

In addition, the nut contains a fairly low percentage of fat compared to other similar products. Protein accounts for about 17%. And vitamin D, present in the composition, has a positive effect on strengthening the bone tissue of both the expectant mother and the child.

But every mom-to-be should consult a doctor before using this product. People's organisms are different, and for some, a nut will be beneficial, butfor someone, on the contrary, harm.

Harm

Cashews during pregnancy can be consumed without a doubt. But it is worth understanding that there is an individual intolerance to the product. Therefore, if you are not sure, then start including this product in your diet with extreme caution.

As for all future mothers, it is worth highlighting the information that the nut is a high-calorie product. And this can lead to weight gain, which can adversely affect gestation and subsequent childbirth. And also excessive consumption of nuts can lead to the formation of kidney stones.

It is not recommended to use the nut in the last trimester of pregnancy. And for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is better to completely abandon cashews, as it can cause irritation of the mucous membrane.

And remember: you are responsible not only for yourself, but also for the life of the little man that develops inside you.

Product selection precautions

Cashews during pregnancy should be purchased with extreme caution. Pay attention to the texture - it should be even. The nut should not resemble shriveled dried fruit, be overdried or have an unpleasant odor.

Keep nuts in sealed containers. Preferably in the refrigerator. With the right approach, it can be stored in the freezer for one year, but no more.

Cashews during pregnancy

Carrying a fetus is considered one of the most crucial periods in lifeevery woman. That is why every expectant mother is concerned about the question of what can and cannot be eaten during pregnancy.

Doctors recommend that women eat nuts during the period of bearing a child, but only in normal quantities. Since overeating can adversely affect he alth.

Consider the benefits of a nut for a pregnant woman:

1. Normalization of blood pressure.
2. Good blood hemoglobin level.
3. Production of vitamin D, which is responsible for the skeletal system. Helps strengthen mom and baby's teeth.
4. Improvement of immunity.
5. Reduce the risk of beriberi.
6. Has a positive effect on the formation of the muscular system of the fetus.
7. Reduces the mental state of the expectant mother.
8. Has a positive effect on brain function.
9. Helps get rid of heartburn, which is quite often a companion of pregnancy.

Despite the huge benefits, it is important to remember that a pregnant woman should discuss her diet with her doctor.

How to choose?

In supermarkets, you can find a variety of cashews: s alted, candied and fried. All this is not suitable for the diet of the expectant mother. Firstly, s alt and sugar cause serious harm to the body, and secondly, during the heat treatment of the product, a significant part of useful vitamins and microelements is lost. Moreover, such variations in relation to the nut tend to increase the overall calorie content.product. And this is a very undesirable aspect for a pregnant woman. But this is only a small part, because manufacturers often use flavor enhancers and flavors.

In connection with the above information, it is recommended to give preference to fresh and peeled nuts. Finding such a product is not difficult, it is found in supermarkets and grocery markets.

How much to consume?

Eating cashews during early pregnancy requires consultation with a doctor. If there are no contraindications and individual intolerance, then the optimal amount of nuts is no more than 10 pieces per day. This amount is enough to provide the body of the expectant mother with all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

If you are not a fan of eating nuts as a small snack, then you can familiarize yourself with a lot of dishes. For example, cashews go well with pastries, salads and fruits. Cashews are often mixed with honey and chocolate. But this combination is not appropriate for all pregnant women, since all three products are allergens, and this is a serious burden on the body. If you belong to the category of people who are definitely not harmed by such a delicacy, then follow the measure. You can treat yourself to such a dessert no more than once a week.