During pregnancy, mothers are encouraged to eat fruit frequently. The reason is none other than because fruits can provide the nutrients needed for the health of pregnant women and fetuses. Want to know what are the benefits of eating fruit for pregnant women? Let's find out here!
The benefits of fruit for pregnant women come from its diverse nutritional content. Almost all fruit is a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These nutrients can not only support the growth and development of the fetus, but also support the health of the mother during pregnancy, you know.
List of Benefits of Eating Fruit for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are recommended to eat 2-4 servings every day. The choice of fruit that can be eaten can also vary, as long as the fruit is fresh and not processed fruit that contains a lot of sugar.
Here are some of the benefits of eating fruit for pregnant women:
1. Strengthen the body's resistance
Fruits, especially oranges, strawberries, and guavas, contain lots of vitamins A, C, E, and antioxidants that play an important role in increasing the immune system. This property is very much needed by pregnant women, because during pregnancy the body is susceptible to infection and gets sick easily.
2. Smooth digestion
Some pregnant women are prone to constipation. One of the causes is the increase in the hormone progesterone in pregnant women which causes the intestines to become less active. To overcome this, pregnant women are recommended to eat fruits that are rich in fiber, such as pears, strawberries, and apples.
The fiber content in these fruits is very important to make it easier for the intestines to process and move feces along the intestines until they come out of the anus. That way, pregnant women can avoid digestive disorders.
3. Reduce morning sickness
During pregnancy, changes in hormone spikes can cause pregnant women to experience nausea and vomiting or morning sickness. To help reduce these complaints, sucking on a lemon slice or drinking lemon juice mixed with water is believed to be able to relieve pain morning sickness.
In addition, fruit with a bland taste or no sharp smell can be a nutrient and energy boost for pregnant women who have difficulty eating regular food. This is because fruit is less likely to trigger nausea.
4. Adequate nutritional intake
During pregnancy, the need for nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, in pregnant women increases to support the process of fetal growth and development. Therefore, the intake of these nutrients must also be increased. Apart from prenatal vitamins, pregnant women also need to meet this need from a variety of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables.
5. Controls weight gain
It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy. However, excessive weight gain can have a negative impact on the health of pregnant women and fetuses. This can happen if pregnant women do not control the portion and type of food consumed, especially when pregnant cravings.
So that pregnant women's weight does not jump too high, pregnant women are recommended to control their appetite and food intake. One way is to regularly eat fruit as a snack. Eating fruit can give you a feeling of fullness longer, so pregnant women are not tempted to eat snack unhealthy food.
6. Hydrates the body
When experiencing nausea and vomiting, pregnant women excrete a lot of body fluids. If it is not balanced by drinking lots of water, pregnant women may become dehydrated. However, some pregnant women can't drink much water because they feel nauseous.
To overcome this, pregnant women can get fluids that come from fruits that have a high water content, such as watermelon, strawberries, and oranges. That way pregnant women can get additional fluids, especially if pregnant women still experience frequent morning sickness.
7. Reduce the risk of preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a health disorder that can threaten pregnant women. This condition is characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia should not be taken lightly, because it can endanger pregnancy and the health of pregnant women.
The good news, fruits can protect pregnant women from this condition. A study revealed that consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins C and E can reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia thanks to their antioxidant effects. In addition, fruit is also rich in potassium which is useful for stabilizing blood pressure.
From the description above, it can be seen that there are many benefits of fruit for pregnant women. Therefore, it is very unfortunate if pregnant women miss this benefit and instead fill themselves with foods that are low in nutrients.
Even so, remember to keep eating fruit according to the recommended portion, yes. Because they contain sugar, excessive fruit consumption can actually increase the risk of pregnant women experiencing gestational diabetes. In addition, don't forget to wash the fruit you want to eat until it's completely clean.
In addition to eating fruit and other healthy foods, pregnant women are also recommended to regularly check with a gynecologist. Pregnant women can also ask their doctor further about fruit consumption during pregnancy, especially if they have certain health conditions.
