Our whole outlook on food changes when it comes to pregnancy. Earlier each food that we eat or crave for, the first question that arises in your mind is whether it is safe? Yogurt can be well considered as a healthy snack to be consumed during pregnancy. It is a power pack of various nutrients such as calcium, proteins, potassium, and sodium that is vital for the pregnancy. As long as the yogurt is made from pasteurized milk and is consumed before its expiry date. It is very much safe during pregnancy. Read here for nutritional value, and benefits of yogurt during pregnancy.
Many people try and avoid dairy products during their pregnancy period. Because they say that it might affect the baby, but in reality, there are a few great dairy products that are not only good for you and your baby but also good for the natural growth of your baby. Yogurt is one of these dairy products not only because it tastes good but also because it helps your baby get the additional nutrition that they need to grow naturally during the entire time of your pregnancy.
With yogurt, you can do no wrong as it not only helps to satisfy your cravings. But it is also filled with a number of vitamins and minerals along with the additional and necessary protein and cholesterol which supports your baby’s growth in a positive manner. It is eaten as a dessert and as frozen food and is very wholesome when consumed in the right amount, making it a very necessary part of your diet.
There are a number of benefits in introducing yogurt to your daily diet when pregnant. Some of these benefits are listed in detail below-
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Wholesome Nutrition:
Yogurt is a rich source of vitamin B and amino acids that allow for the strengthening of your baby’s bones and nervous system. When you are craving for something sweet, it can be eaten as a healthy alternative in order to keep you healthy throughout the period of your pregnancy and keep your baby extremely healthy as well. Making yogurt naturally during pregnancy is an important factor and a very valid option.
Nutritional Values of Yogurt per 100g:
Nutrients Amount
- Calories 80
- Water 88%
- Proteins 15g
- Carbohydrates 6g
- Sodium 55mg
- Potassium 210mg
- Cholesterol 10mg
- Sugar 4g
- Calcium 300mg
Is it Safe to Eat Yogurt During Pregnancy?
Yogurt is one dairy product that can be prepared from both raw milks as well as pasteurized milk. It is Yogurt for pregnant mothers is very much safe provided it is made from pasteurised milk. Yoghurt from raw milk can contain bacteria such as e-coli, listeria, salmonella, etc. that can cause food poisoning and pose a serious threat to the pregnancy.
Benefits Of Yogurt During Pregnancy:
The following are the various benefits of eating yogurt during pregnancy:
1. Improves Your Digestive System:
Yogurt is rich in good bacteria that helps in proper digestion of food as well as maintain the health of the intestine. By consuming it, the digestive tract can absorb more and more nutrients.
2. Cools Down Your Body:
Whenever you feel the food is spicy, taking some yogurt alongside reduces the spiciness of the food as well as reduces the chances of heartburn or acidity it might cause. It’s common that you crave spicy food during pregnancy, so keeping yogurt alongside can be a good way to deal with the inherent side effects of spicy food.
3. Calcium-Rich Food:
It is rich in calcium. Just three servings of yogurt can meet 50% of the daily calcium requirement. During pregnancy, calcium plays a vital role in developing the bones and teeth of the fetus along with the other bodily functions.
4. Improves The Immunity System:
Yogurt can fight stomach infections because of the various good bacteria present in it. It increases probiotics that restores the intestinal microflora and improves the digestion.
5. Prevents Having High Blood Pressure:
High blood pressure during pregnancy can be very dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. Eating yogurt can calm you down and lower the blood pressure. Besides this, cholesterol is also kept in control, which is very good for the heart.
6. Relieves Stress And Anxiety:
Both anxiety and stress are very common during pregnancy. Yogurt can calm you down and also acts as a great alternative to other desserts. Such as cakes and ice cream, which are not recommended during pregnancy.
7. Fights Pigmentation:
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the skin go dry and have uneven spots or pigmentations. Yogurt being a rich source of Vitamin E can prevent skin pigmentation
8. Keeps Body Weight In Control:
Although weight gain is healthy as well as an inevitable part of pregnancy, excess weight gain can create serious problems. Yogurt prevents the stress hormone cortisol from increasing in the body and thus prevents the excessive weight gain.
9. Healthy Muscles:
The protein in yogurt helps in muscle development. Besides the calcium, it also helps in proper contraction of the muscle fibres and thus, it proves to be a great source for maintaining muscle health.
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Probiotic and Pasteurized Yogurt During Pregnancy:
Probiotic Yogurt During Pregnancy:
- Our intestines contain numerous probiotic bacteria that aid in proper digestion of the food and maintain the proper functioning of the digestive system. During pregnancy, our digestive system drops considerably, which adds to the risk of constipation, which is a very common symptom of pregnancy. Since yogurt is naturally rich in probiotics, it aids in improving the health of the digestive system
Pasteurised Yogurt During Pregnancy:
- Yogurt prepared from raw milk or unpasteurized milk can be contaminated with various bacteria such as e-coli, listeria, salmonella, which can cause food poisoning and pose a serious threat during pregnancy. Pasteurized milk removes all the bacteria, and thus one should consume only pasteurized yogurt while pregnant.
Can You Eat Yogurt When Pregnant?
Many people ask or rather question the importance and the necessity of eating yogurt in early pregnancy and to answer this question one must first list all the positive qualities that yogurt has and the effects it has on the body. This is good because it instils a strong nervous system both for you and your baby. It is a great sweet alternative that is healthy. It is rich in plenty of vitamins and minerals and so on. So when asked can pregnant women eat yogurt, you can reply with solid confidence that it does!
Bones:
Many times the question is yogurt good during pregnancy arises which is a very valid question with regard to pregnancy because mothers are always looking out for their kids, but rest assured yogurt is very good for pregnancy as it not only keeps you healthy but also allows for the proper strengthening of your baby’s bones. It is said that your baby will be exactly what you make of it, so it is very important to eat the things that are beneficial for the growth of your baby.
Calcium:
It is a good source of calcium as it is a dairy product. With yogurt, you can help strengthen your baby’s bones, provide the nutrition necessary for the development of your baby’s brain and much more. It is definitely a wholesome, healthy food that must be incorporated into your daily diet as quickly as possible, making yogurt while pregnant a positive thing.
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Yogurt is an excellent source of nutrition in all aspects during pregnancy and can be used on a regular basis without any added setbacks. It is a wholesome food that can be eaten as a snack or as a dessert and has plenty of vitamins and minerals that support the growth of your baby during the pregnancy period.
Greece is famous for many things; one of them is Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is one food that contradicts the saying “if it tastes good, it must be bad for you.” The yogurt is strained to remove whey and lactose, leaving the tangy and creamy product behind. It mimics and tastes like sour cream. Most of the people in the US now use Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream because of its rich texture.
Can You Eat Greek Yogurt During Pregnancy?
Yes, Greek yogurt is a nutritious addition to your diet, and it supplies all the nutrients required on a daily basis. Ensure that it is made using pasteurizing milk. Greek yogurt made with unpasteurized milk may contain Listeria, a bacterium that can cross the placenta, leading to a potentially life-threatening infection to the baby causing miscarriage.
Greek yogurt contains a wide variety of vitamins that help supplement your needs for a healthy pregnancy. It contains 1% of the daily requirement of Vitamin A, a nutrient that is necessary for your baby’s eyes.
Greek yogurt addresses the problem of bloating during pregnancy. Indigestion and gastritis are common issues during the third trimester of pregnancy. Consuming it with meals helps you eat hard-to-digest foods comfortably. Greek yogurt is the best yogurt during pregnancy.
Finally, remember that yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products are very good for your pregnant body and your growing baby. Don’t avoid these foods because of misinformation or fear! Just make sure the milk is pasteurizing or cooked as they should be, and you will have no problems with dairy, cheeses, and yogurt during pregnancy.
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Considerations Of Yogurt During Pregnancy:
Yogurt is a good and a must addition to the pregnancy diet. In spite of being a low-fat dairy source, it can quickly meet up the daily requirement of proteins, minerals and several vitamins along with calcium. However, most of the yogurt available in the market have a large quantity of added sugar syrup or corn starch to make it sweet which can cause unnecessary weight gain during pregnancy. So to avoid that try homemade yogurt during pregnancy or go for plain yogurt from the market and sweeten it with natural fruit or honey as per your taste requirement.
Yogurt is a healthy addition in pregnancy food, and one should definitely include the same. So is yogurt bad for pregnancy? Then the answer to this is a big no. However, there are 2 types of yogurts that you should be avoided under all circumstances.The unpasteurized yogurt due to it inherent possibility of causing food poisoning and the other is the full-fat yogurt as too much of it will make you add unnecessary kilograms, which will be difficult to shed later.
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers:
Q1: Can I Eat Yoghurt in Early Pregnancy?
Ans: Yogurt and pregnancy first trimester go hand in hand. During pregnancy first trimester, the biggest issue faced is that of constipation. Consuming yogurt strengthens the digestive system and provides a considerable relief in constipation and so if you are wondering if is yogurt good for a pregnant woman, then the answer to this is a big YES.
Q2: Is it Safe to Eat flavoured Yogurt During Pregnancy?
Ans: Flavored yogurt is a safe yogurt for pregnant ladies. The only problem is it has too much of added sugar, and hence it can cause an unnecessary weight gain which may create complications in the later stages of pregnancy and during delivery.
Q3: What are The Best Yogurt Brands to Consume During Pregnancy?
Ans: Yoplait is one of the best yogurt brands for pregnancy. As they have no artificial sweeteners added and are also sugarless. Other good brands for pregnancy include Dannon, Liberte, Stonyfield, Wallaby, Noosa Vanilla, amongst others.
Q4: Is Eating Greek Yogurt Good for Pregnancy?
Ans: Greek yogurt is the best during pregnancy. It is made from pasteurising milk and addresses various health problems. The Greek Yogurt is draining, and hence it contains even lesser quantum of lactose as compared to regular yogurt, making it even healthier.
