Eating fruits can be one of the healthiest ways of satisfying your hunger pangs during pregnancy. They are delicious, juicy and do not add up unnecessary calories. When it comes to fruits, the sweet and tangy strawberries lead the list, but wait a minute – Is it safe to consume strawberry during pregnancy? And if yes, then in what quantity? Read here as we highlight the nutritional value and benefits of eating a strawberry in pregnancy and also the safety tips that one needs to keep in mind.
We all have a sweet tooth any time of the day. One of the best fruits to eat during pregnancy is strawberry. During pregnancy, a woman goes through pangs of hunger and craving for certain tastes like sour and sweet. What if sweet cravings increase at a double jet speed? Can you imagine wanting to eat something sweet all day long? But a pregnant woman can’t just eat candies all day long. If the glucose or sugar intake of a mom becomes high, then there is a 90-96% risk of diabetes, not only for the mother but also for the baby. Infant diabetic infection can be worse and may also lead to fatal life risks.
For the sake of sweeteners without health risks, fruits prove to be the best amongst all, and among the many different varieties of fruits, strawberries prove to be the best.
Nutritional Value Of Strawberry During Pregnancy:
The following are the various nutrients present in 100g of strawberry
Ingredient Quantum
- Folate 30mcg
- Selenium 1.2mg
- Phosphorous 32mg
- Fiber 4g
- Calcium 25mg
- Magnesium 16.5mg
- Iron 0.7mg
- Vitamin C 95mg
- Vitamin A 0.0135mg
- Potassium 45mg
- Carbohydrates 11.7g
- Proteins 1.2g
Is Eating Strawberry Good for Pregnant Women?
As soon as one is pregnant, we all become more cautious about our eating habits, and it is right as not all foods that we eat normally are allowed during pregnancy. Pregnant woman are always alert about what they eat and often ask: Is strawberry good for pregnancy? The answer to this is eating strawberry is good for pregnant women. There are various benefits of eating strawberries and numerous ways in which it can be included in our daily diet.
As fruits go, this pink and sweet fruit proves to be a boon in disguise. We bring you the benefits of eating strawberry while pregnant.
Health Benefits Of Eating Strawberry During Pregnancy:
1. Better Eyesight:
Strawberry contains all kinds of health benefits that start with keeping the eyes healthy, to keep other infections in check. Strawberry is rich in Vitamin C that helps to tackle eye problems and also improves immunity. This proves that eating strawberry during pregnancy is definitely a must!
See More: eating star fruit during pregnancy
2. Has Anti-Carcinogenic Properties:
The antioxidants present in strawberries aids in preventing incurable diseases like cancer.
3. Takes Care Of The Heart:
Studies have shown that people who are fond of strawberries and eat it regularly rarely have heart-related problems. This is because the strawberries work to reduce the bad cholesterol and reduce the plaque in the arteries, thereby taking good care of the heart.
4. Maintain Weight:
Strawberry contains fructose which is different from glucose in a structural compound and also is better as it acts as the same sugar in taste but different in function, eliminating the fats instead of adding them.
5. Boosts The Immunity:
Vitamin C in the strawberries works towards strengthening the immunity system of the body and prevents various infections, which are very important during pregnancy.
6. Anti-ageing Properties:
Strawberries help in eliminating a lot of toxins from the body. Besides the nutrients present in strawberries, it also helps in repairing the damage and keeps ageing in check.
Risks Of Consuming Strawberries During Pregnancy:
Strawberries are one of the superfoods that are extremely healthy and safe for consumption during pregnancy. They are highly nutritious and do not contain any kind of side effect whatsoever with regards to the pregnancy. However, to be on a safer side, it is always advised to eat anything in moderation, anything in excess could be harmful. Besides, you should never compromise on quality just to suffice your cravings. Rotten strawberries could cause food poisoning while the strawberries cultivated with a lot of pesticides could be harmful to the pregnancy.
See More: is muskmelon safe during pregnancy
Ways To Include Strawberry In Your Pregnancy Diet:
Diet rich in fruits and vegetables contain high doses of protein and nutrients that are required for the mother and for the baby. You need to take care in how you prepare and eat strawberries; weak pregnancy immune system could be affected by food-borne illnesses such as E. coli. Good care can help you prevent illnesses and only extract the healthy rewards of strawberries and other fruits. They can be taken as raw fruits or as a salad along with your vegetable bowl. Strawberry juice, jam, and squash in milk are some other ways to consume it.
- Wash the strawberries well in running water. Cut them into small pieces. Eat them raw. Washing them will remove pesticide and fertilisers from the fruit.
- Make a strawberry salad. Take 4 to 5 cups of fruits and vegetables every day. Do not entirely rely on a strawberry to meet all the nutrients and minerals your body needs.
Strawberry Milk During Pregnancy:
This is another quick recipe you can try in case you don’t like to eat it raw. Strawberry is good for pregnancy; this is an accepted fact. Learn innovative ways to eat strawberries,
- Heat fresh strawberries in one cup of water and half cup sugar, allow it to boil for 10 minutes, and it will start to thicken.
- Strain the mixture into a small bowl. Set this aside.
- Freeze your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes. Now, add ¾ cup of milk and the syrup.
Enjoy this strawberry milk, creamy and smooth.
Strawberry Jam During Pregnancy:
Strawberry benefits in pregnancy can be met this way too.
In case you are not a fan of this either, here is another quick strawberry jam you can make easily at home.
- Cut the berries into half and remove the stem. Ensure you wash it well.
- Put them in a bowl and toss it in sugar. Leave it uncovered at room temperature overnight. This way, the colour is preserved, and the fruit doesn’t disintegrate quickly.
- Pour the strawberry mixture into a pan with some lemon juice extract. Place this over low heat and cook. If any sugar remains on the sides of the pan, dip a pastry brush in hot water and brush the sugar away.
- When there are no more sugar grains, turn it into high heat and let it boil.
- Boil it for 15 minutes and turn off the heat. Spoon some jam into one of the cold saucers.
- Leave it for 30 secs, and push with your finger; if the jam wrinkles and doesn’t flood to fill the gap, it is ready. If not, put it back to heat and boil for 2 mins more, then turn off the heat and do the wrinkle test again. Repeat until ready.
Strawberry Shake In Pregnancy:
Strawberry shake is one of the healthy ways of consuming strawberries, which is very tasty and healthy. To keep this recipe healthy for pregnancy instead of adding sugar, we have used honey. Check out the recipe here.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of frozen strawberries
- 2 cups of milk
- 1tbsp honey
- 1tsp vanilla extract
Method:
- In a blender add all the ingredients
- Blend until you get a smooth paste
- Pour in a glass and serve
Strawberry Juice During Pregnancy:
Homemade strawberry juice is very healthy, tasty and irresistible during pregnancy, and the recipe is so simple that even a kid can make it. You need to add all the ingredients in the blender and blend it. Check out the recipe here
Ingredients:
- One bowl of strawberries
- 1 slice lemon
- Salt and sugar as per taste
- Chilled water or ice cubes
Method:
- Wash the strawberries nicely under running water and remove its stems.
- Roughly chop the strawberries
- In a blender add the chopped strawberries, lemon juice, ice cubes salt and sugar (as per requirement) and blend until you get a smooth paste
- Add water as per requirement
- Serve chilled with strawberry chunks if you like
You can also pair the strawberry with protein and cottage cheese, that will help you give the necessary nutrients for the body.
Craving Strawberry for Pregnant Ladies:
Craving strawberries during pregnancy is good as it is known to have health benefits for the body. It is packed with essential nutrients and is rich in fibre. Fruits and vegetables are an important part of any healthy diet and should be especially abundant in your kitchen when you’re pregnant. Folic acid will help prevent neural tube defects and promote a healthy birth weight. Potassium in strawberries regulates blood pressure. The vitamin C will benefit the baby’s bones and teeth and increase collagen in baby’s connective tissue.
Well, now you know about the numerous benefits of eating strawberries during pregnancy! And as we all know that pregnant women often complain about craving for something sweet, so as stated earlier, if these women were to have something natural instead of the artificially sweetened eatables then why wouldn’t it be beneficial?
See More: Benefits of Jamun Fruit During Pregnancy
Strawberry juice or frozen strawberry are supposed to be the best forms in which strawberries are consumed. Raw strawberries are not processed and have not undergone any kind of chemical procedure and are always ready for intake by expectant mothers. Strawberries are usually available in fewer places and thus are an expensive option in comparison to other easily accessible processed sugary products. Hundreds of chocolates cannot be compared with the nutritious benefits of one single strawberry freshly brought.
Strawberry is a seasonal fruit which is very juicy and tasty. Craving strawberries during pregnancy are very normal, and the good news is you can easily eat strawberries during pregnancy without any worry. In fact, eating strawberry during early pregnancy helps in healthy teeth and bones in the child, and so one mustn’t resist eating strawberries while pregnant.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q1: Is Eating Strawberries Safe During Breastfeeding?
Ans: As general advice, you should not exclude any food from your diet while breastfeeding to see an overall healthy growth of your baby. Hence you can safely include strawberries during breastfeeding provided your child doesn’t show any allergic symptoms.
Q2: Eating Strawberries During Early Pregnancy Safe or Not?
Ans: Strawberries are very nutritious, it is a fruit rich in Vitamin C, folic acid and antioxidants that aid in making the baby’s skin healthy and boosts the immunity system. Also, it helps in the healthy development of bones. Thus eating strawberries during pregnancy is not only safe but also very healthy and important.
Q3: Can You Eat Strawberries When Pregnant?
Ans: Strawberries are considered as a superfood that is rich in various nutrients healthy for both baby and the mother. Besides, they do not have any side effects on the pregnancy and hence are extremely safe. So if your question is can you eat strawberries while pregnant then the answer to this is a big yes.
