The benefits of eggs for pregnant women need not be doubted. Besides being delicious to eat, the yolk and white of the egg both contain the nutrients needed for the health of the mother and fetus. Then, what benefits can pregnant women get from eating eggs?
Eggs are a very good source of protein and choline for the health of pregnant women and fetal growth and development. Not only that, eggs also contain a variety of other important nutrients, such as fat, folic acid, selenium, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, and vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B12, D, E, and K.
A series of benefits of eggs for pregnant women
Because the nutritional content is quite complete, it is only natural that eggs have a good impact on the health of pregnant women. Some of the benefits of eggs that pregnant women can get include:
1. As a source of energy
An egg contains high-quality protein and healthy fats. These two ingredients will make pregnant women feel full and full of energy. By making eggs as a side dish or snack, pregnant women can have more stamina in carrying out their daily activities.
In addition, because it can be filling, egg consumption can reduce the desire to overeat or eat less healthy foods, such as junk food or sweets. That way, health during pregnancy will be more awake and weight during pregnancy does not increase drastically.
2. Meet the increasing nutritional needs
During pregnancy, pregnant women's nutritional needs increase, especially the need for protein, folic acid, and calcium. This aims to support the process of fetal growth and development and maintain the health of pregnant women during pregnancy.
In order to meet this increased nutritional need, pregnant women are recommended to eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods and one of them is eggs. Eggs can be a good source of protein, folic acid, and calcium to include in pregnant women's diets.
3. Increase endurance
In the midst of a pandemic like now, it is important to have a strong immune system, because pregnant women are prone to infections. The protein content and several types of vitamins in eggs are needed to form a quality component of the immune system.
In addition, eggs are also a good source of selenium. you know. This mineral which is also an antioxidant has a big role in increasing the body's immune cell response, so the body can fight infection better.
4. Reduce the risk of preeclampsia
Some pregnant women are at high risk of developing preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition when pregnant women experience an increase in blood pressure accompanied by the presence of protein in the urine. This condition is a serious condition that is important to prevent.
Eggs are one of the foods with the highest choline levels, so pregnant women can use them to prevent preeclampsia.
5. Maintain healthy bones and teeth
Although rare, some pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Therefore, pregnant women must consume calcium sources to meet their daily needs.
Eggs are a source of calcium and vitamin D, which play an important role in maintaining healthy bones and teeth for pregnant women. In addition, this mineral is also important for supporting muscle contractions and the process of blood clotting, both of which are needed during labor.
Besides being useful for pregnant women, eggs are also very good for the health of the fetus, including:
- Supports the process of fetal development
- Supports fetal brain development
- Reducing the risk of the fetus having spina bifida and anencephaly
- Provides nutrients needed by the fetus
- Supports fetal bone growth
That's 5 benefits of eggs for pregnant women that should not be missed. Because of its extraordinary properties for mother and fetus, pregnant women are recommended to include eggs in their daily diet along with a variety of other healthy foods. Eggs are also good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
However, pregnant women are strongly advised to only eat cooked eggs. The reason is, consuming raw or undercooked eggs during pregnancy can increase the risk of food poisoning due to bacteria Salmonella and listeriosis.
If after consuming eggs there are symptoms of severe vomiting or diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and fever, pregnant women need to stop eating eggs immediately and see a doctor for proper treatment.
