Are wondering if strawberries are good for pregnancy? This question might come to mind when researching foods to eat while pregnant. Strawberries are just one of the many fruits that are healthy, nutritious, and beneficial during pregnancy.
In fact, eating strawberries while pregnant is a great source of some of the essential nutrients that support both mother and baby health which is often recommended for expectant mothers.
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Everyone knows that pregnant moms should eat a healthy, and balanced diet during this crucial time because it requires more nutrition for both the mother and the developing fetus.
You are probably well aware of this and conscious about eating a healthy diet. But you might also be cautious about eating certain foods because of the potential side effects they could have on your baby.
Let’s dig into the details and explore the health benefits of strawberries while pregnant. We’ll cover everything from:
- the nutritional value of strawberries
- questions like why whole strawberries should be in your pregnancy diet
- and how strawberries can help in reducing pregnancy-related health issues.
- suggested serving size for pregnant women
- some of the potential risks associated with consuming strawberries while pregnant
- tips and tricks for safe consumption
- PLUS some ideas for incorporating strawberries into your pregnancy recipes.
What are Some Benefits Of Eating Strawberries While Pregnant?
So why eat strawberries during pregnancy? There are a lot of incentives for adding this little fruit to your diet!
Here are some reasons why you should include strawberries in your diet while pregnant:
1- Excellent source of vitamin C: Strawberries are brimming with essential vitamins and minerals that are vital for a healthy pregnancy. For instance, a single cup of strawberries (166 grams) has almost 108% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C which is 97mg, which supports and boosts immune system health and promotes the absorption of iron. This is crucial for pregnant women since they need extra iron to support the fetus’s growth and development.
2- Great source of folate: Strawberries also contain a lot of folate, a B vitamin that is crucial for a fetus’s healthy growth and development and for preventing neural tube defects in the growing baby.
3-Helps control blood pressure: Strawberries are a high source of potassium, an essential element that can help control blood pressure. This is important for pregnant women to know since elevated blood pressure can cause dangerous pregnancy-related problems including preeclampsia, hence consuming strawberries regularly during pregnancy helps in reducing the risk of preeclampsia.
4-Decreases inflammation: According to certain research studies, strawberries may have anti-inflammatory effects that are advantageous for pregnant women. The antioxidants in them are particularly good at reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
Although inflammation is a natural reaction to injury or infection, it can also be harmful if becomes chronic and chronic inflammation has been related to several health problems. Reducing inflammation can help in reducing the risk of certain inflammatory conditions during pregnancy including preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
5-Supports good digestion: As a great source of fiber, strawberries can aid in improving digestion and preventing constipation. This holds great importance since many pregnant women experience constipation during their pregnancy. The prebiotic fiber helps in promoting a healthy gut microbiome which is great for supporting immune function and an overall well-balanced diet, both during pregnancy and beyond.
6-May improve cognitive function: Recent research suggests that strawberries may improve brain function. These benefits include memory enhancement and a reduction in cognitive decline. This is significant because the developing fetus depends on the mother for the nutrients necessary for brain development during pregnancy.
7-Prevents excessive weight gain: As strawberries are low in calories and very filling too, they can aid in preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy. This program is also very helpful for managing pregnancy weight gain.
8-Very convenient to eat: The delicious strawberries make a convenient snack that can be enjoyed on its own or added to several other dishes without troubling you much during pregnancy and draining your energy for preparing difficult foods.
While more research can help in further confirming these findings, including strawberries on your pregnancy grocery list makes an easy, tasty, and nutritious part of your balanced diet for boosting not only your health and well-being but also the developing fetus.
What Can Be Potential Risks Associated With Consuming Strawberries While Pregnant?
Although eating strawberries while pregnant is generally considered safe, there are a few potential health risks that expectant moms should be aware of.
An allergic reaction to strawberries, for instance, can result in symptoms like hives, itching, and swelling in some women. If you have a strawberry allergy, you should stay away from them.
It’s important to note that conventional strawberries may be contaminated with pesticide residue and other substances, which could be harmful to embryonic development. Whenever possible, pick organic strawberries and carefully wash them with water and vinegar before eating to lower the chance of exposure.
Confused about pregnancy diet and what’s safe? Check out the Prenatal Nutrition Library. This app has it ALL and breaks down the research into easy-to-read, applicable advice to help you eat healthier during pregnancy.
What Is the Recommended Serving Size Of Strawberries While Pregnant?
It is a good idea to pay attention to portion sizes while consuming strawberries as part of a balanced pregnancy diet.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, 1-1.5 cups of fruits must be consumed daily by pregnant women and that can include strawberries too.
By doing this, you can enjoy strawberries’ nutritional benefits without consuming excessive amounts of sugar or calories, which can put you at greater risk for gestational diabetes.
How To Incorporate Strawberries Into Your Pregnancy Diet?
Start preparing fresh strawberries for eating by taking the stem and leaves off and giving them a thorough wash under running water. Chop or cut them how you like.
Strawberries go well with a range of foods, such as pregnancy smoothies, fruit salad, green salads, yogurt, and oatmeal. You can also include them in healthy pregnancy desserts! They can also be eaten on their own as a tasty and nutritious snack.
Find more pregnancy snack ideas here.
Although strawberries are generally safe to eat while pregnant, it’s still vital to follow appropriate food safety practices. This includes cleaning your hands before handling food, maintaining a clean kitchen and utensils, and promptly storing any leftover strawberries in the refrigerator.
Strawberries are a wholesome and mouthwatering complement to your diet while pregnant. They are a great source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium, which promote both maternal and fetal health.
They also help in regulating blood pressure, reducing inflammation, supporting digestive health, improving cognitive function, managing weight reducing the risk of pregnancy issues such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, constipation, and fetal neural defects.
You can read more about managing pregnancy symptoms with diet in Real Food for Pregnancy.
Although strawberries have many benefits during pregnancy, eating strawberries may carry some potential risks. The good news is these can be reduced by going for organic kinds and using sensible food safety practices.
Include strawberries in your meals and snacks to promote a healthy pregnancy. As always, before making any significant dietary changes, you should speak with your doctor.
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