The phase of pregnancy is beautiful. The mothers wait for the day they can hold their baby. But this requires a lot of effort and patience to maintain both the health of the mother to be and the unborn baby inside. Everything you eat concerns the baby, and you got to do best of everything for the growth and development of the fetus. One such thing is healthy nutrition. Grapefruit pregnancy is a well-known combination to eat for expectant mother. How well can we consume it regularly? There are several questions concerned with this. This article will help you with all the details on grapefruit during pregnancy.
What is grapefruit?
Eating grapefruit during pregnancy is beneficial. We all hear that. But what exactly is this fruit? Grapefruit is known to be a cross between an orange and a pomelo. It is a citrus fruit that can be pink, orange or even white and may taste sweet or tarty depending on the variety. It comes from tropical regions which are mostly found in Asia.
Is it safe to eat grapefruit during pregnancy?
Is grapefruit good for pregnant women? This is one of the common concerns faced by several. The organic ones in the grapefruit range are best for consumption as they are free from all sorts of pesticides and chemicals. It is loaded with nutrients, which makes it pro to consume it during the phase of pregnancy. However, makes sure to wash them properly before having it. Definitely, it does not do any harm for the expectant mother or unborn baby inside.
Nutritional values of grapefruit during pregnancy:
Certainly, grapefruit benefits for pregnancy. It is loaded with rich nutrients inside which make it one among the best fruit to consume during pregnancy time. It has nutrients like proteins, fibre, healthy fats, vitamin C, vitamin A, Folic acid, Niacin, Thiamin, and minerals like Potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc in great amounts. Hence if anyone asks is grapefruit good for pregnant women, it is definitely a yes. It helps to maintain weight with such a huge variety of nutrients and reduce cholesterol too.
Benefits of Eating Grapefruit During Pregnancy:
Can you eat grapefruit while pregnant? During pregnancy, it is essential to eat a healthy diet loaded with fruits and vegetable to ensure overall good health of both the mother and the baby. Obstetricians recommend a good dose of Vitamin C for pregnant women. Grapefruit is the powerhouse of Vitamin C and also has content of Vitamin A, Vitamin B5, folate, potassium, limonoids, lycopene and lots of fibres.Hence grapefruit and pregnancy can go hand in hand. Take a look at these amazing benefits of eating grapefruit while pregnant.
1. Strengthens Immunity:
During pregnancy, the immune system becomes vulnerable and weak. As the baby grows inside the womb, the body’s resistance decreases, and it, therefore, requires extra protection. The high content of Vitamin C in grapefruit strengthens the immune system for fighting any foreign infection.
2. Fights Edema:
The diuretic action of grapefruit helps in treating the condition of oedema. During pregnancy drinking, a glassful of grapefruit juice helps to flush out liquids along with toxins and excess salt from the body.
3. Prevents Diabetes:
Eating grapefruit while pregnant also helps in preventing the development of diabetes in the expectant mother. It works by regulating the insulin level in the blood that, in turn, aids proper functioning of all other organs in the body.
4. Relieves Insomnia:
During pregnancy sleepless nights are a common concern among several women. If you are suffering from insomnia during pregnancy, eating a few slices of the fruit before going to bed will offer some relief. This is because the nutrients present in the fruit help to settle down the nerves and relaxes the body and mind to falls asleep.
5. Prevents Preeclampsia:
Preeclampsia is a condition that refers to high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine during the 20th week of pregnancy. If left uncontrolled it can lead to heavy bleeding and severance of placenta from uterus prematurely. It has been found that eating grapefruit during pregnancy helps to control preeclampsia.
6. Safety Issues:
Although eating grapefruit is healthy for pregnant women, there are some limitations that you need to know. Obstetricians recommend eating only half grapefruit in a day to avoid the condition of hypervitaminosis. According to researches, excessive Vitamin C can even cause miscarriage. Also, pregnant women suffering from kidney or hepatic diseases must avoid eating grapefruits to prevent any complications. It is a common myth that drinking grapefruit juice can increase acidity; however, you must avoid drinking juice on an empty stomach.
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Side effects of grapefruit during pregnancy:
Is grapefruit safe during pregnancy? It is always recommended to have limited amounts of grapefruit in your diet. It is because this fruit may increase fructose levels, which can harm your placenta. Further, this fruit is not recommended to have in case you are suffering from kidney issues, cystitis, stomach ulcers or allergies. Besides these, it is perfect for eating this fruit regularly in limited quantities. It is always recommended to have a word with your doctor to know the complete picture of your health and diet prior to consuming this fruit.
Is grapefruit juice good for pregnancy?
You can drink grapefruit juice pregnancy. However, it is recommended to have a hundred per cent real grapefruit juice than having it outside, which may include preservatives. Further said, it is always best to make and consume this at home. Avoid juices from packaged bottles as they may not have all the nutrients loaded as they would be going through the manufacturing process. Hence you also know the answer to the question, can you drink grapefruit juice while pregnant? Without a doubt, yes!
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Ways to include grapefruit during pregnancy diet:
One can have craving grapefruit during pregnancy. Do not worry; you can easily add this fruit in the diet. You can make smoothies, fresh juices or salads with this fruit. They can easily fit in and also fulfil your dietary requirements due to the rich nutrients loaded from within. Hence do not hesitate, go ahead and make a yummy smoothie and fulfil your cravings.
Grapefruit recipes to try out during pregnancy:
You can choose to make a nice and tasty salad with grapefruit. Take grapefruit, peaches, nectar, orange blossom water, fresh mint leaves, and nuts. Firstly, combine the agave nectar and orange blossom water in a bowl. Remove the skin of grapefruit and cut in pieces. Cut the peaches too. Mix all of these in a bowl and add mint leaves. You can have this as a nutritious salad.
Further, you can also make a tasty smoothie with this exotic fruit. Take grapefruit, apple, spinach, banana, almond milk, orange juice, water, and fresh ginger. Add all of these in a blender and blend it smooth. It should have a creamy consistency. You can add ice if you wish to. Can add honey too for sweetening. This makes tasty and healthy green grapefruit smoothie.
Pregnant or not pregnant, eating grapefruit is beneficial for your body. Grapefruit during pregnancy is wonder fruit, which is packed with health-benefiting nutrients. So next time anyone questions you that is grapefruit good for pregnant women, pass on these amazing health benefits that you discovered right here. Moreover, grapefruit is not just good to be eaten during pregnancy only.
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers:
Q1. What is the recommended quantity of grapefruit during pregnancy?
Ans: This should be around medium sized of grapefruit or eight ounces of grapefruit juice. This is because a pregnant woman requires around 85 mg of vitamin C per day. However nutritious the fruit may be, you cannot have more than the recommended amount as it is not suitable for baby and mother.
Q2. Is grapefruit seed extract good for pregnant women?
Ans: Grapefruits are generally good for pregnant women. However, seed extracts are generally not recommended. This is because they are found to be poisonous to skin fibroblasts, and hence, doctors do not recommend consuming the grapefruit seed extracts.
Q3. What happens if I consume too much of grapefruit?
Ans: Consuming too much quantity of grapefruit can affect the growth of the fetus. Further, those with kidney illness or stomach ulcers may face complications when eaten these fruits. In addition, this fruit should also not be consumed with an empty stomach. Hence it is recommended to check with a doctor before consuming this fruit for the first time.
