Jackfruit is a large green spiky fruit. Mostly grown in the tropical region. Depending upon its ripeness, this bulbous fruit can be used for both sweet as well as savoury dishes. It has a thick green rind in the surrounding while extremely fleshy from inside. There is a common myth associated with jackfruit that it causes miscarriage. Eating jackfruits during pregnancy offers multiple health benefits.
Is it safe to Eat Jackfruit During Pregnancy?
You’ll hardly get to see a woman. Who doesn’t know the nutritional benefits of jackfruit. Still, the question that keeps boggling them is whether it is safe to eat jackfruit during pregnancy? There is a myth associated with jackfruit. That it causes miscarriage, but there is no scientific backing to the myth that can prove the same. Jackfruit is extremely safe for consumption during pregnancy. And, is very much nutritious also.
See More: Prune juice while pregnant
Nutritional Value of Jackfruit During Pregnancy:
The following are the nutrition received from consuming 100g of jackfruit during pregnancy.
Nutrient Quantity.
- Calories 95Kcal
- Water 73.46g
- Carbohydrates 23.25g
- Protein 1.72g
- Fibre 1.5g
- Fat 0.64g
- Folate 24mcg
- Pantothenic Acid
- Niacin 0.92mg
- Pyridoxine 0.329mg
- Riboflavin 0.055mg
- Thiamine 0.105mg
- Potassium 448mg
- Sodium 2mg
- A Vitamin 110IU
- C Vitamin 13.7mg
- E Vitamin 0.34mg
- Calcium 24mg
- Iron 0.23mg
- Magnesium 29mg
- Zinc 0.13mg
- Phosphorous 21mg
Where g=grams, mg=milligrams, IU=International units.
Pregnancy is the time of eating right. Eating a diet high in vitamins and minerals can give a healthy start to this wonderful 9-month journey. While gynaecologists recommend eating of almost all fruits during pregnancy. More often women question can we eat jackfruit during pregnancy?
Benefits of Eating Jackfruit During Pregnancy:
Jackfruit belongs to the mulberry family and is known for its distinctive odour and flavour. It is an excellent source of Vitamin B6 and potassium. Besides providing a good dose of calcium, zinc, iron, thiamine, protein, calories and carbohydrates. Take a look at some of these benefits of eating jackfruit during pregnancy.
Is it safe to eat jackfruit during pregnancy?Yes, it totally is! What you, however, need to be sure of is consuming the appropriate quantity of it. Check on the proportion of your consumption and ensure you are not overeating. Jackfruit is rich in vitamin B6 and potassium along with many other essential nutrients. The digestible flesh of the jackfruit is a rich source of anti-oxidants. That are required for both the mother and the baby.
1. Benefits From Various Minerals:
For the healthy development of the foetus. There are different minerals that play a vital role and jackfruit is rich in multiple types of minerals. And, therefore aids in the healthy growth of the foetus.
2. Low Levels of Sodium:
The presence of a high quantum of saturated fats as well as sodium is one of the major reasons that make fruits not completely safe during pregnancy. However, that doesn’t hold for jackfruit as the quantum of sodium, and saturated fats are negligible. In it which makes it an ideal choice as pregnancy food.
3. Reduces Stress:
Pregnancy is not easy, and at times it gets stressful. Which is not at all healthy for the baby. Jackfruits contains the nutrients that can alleviate the stress and thus very good for pregnancy.
4. Regulates Hormone:
During pregnancy, the hormones of a woman are completely in disarray leading to mood swings, anxiety, and emotional breakdown. Jackfruit aids in controlling the hormonal fluctuations and thereby making pregnancy much simpler.
5. Reduces Blood Pressure:
Jackfruit is an excellent source of potassium. That helps to lower blood pressure. Hence consuming jackfruit during pregnancy is good for those suffering from high blood pressure. It is a natural remedy for preventing hypertension. Besides reducing the risk of heart diseases.
6. Improves Bone Health:
Eating jackfruit during pregnancy ensures good bone health of both, the mother and the growing fetus. This is due to the high magnesium content in them. So women who eat jackfruit in pregnancy have stronger bones and lesser chances of developing osteoporosis.
7. Strengthens Immunity:
Jackfruit has an abundance of Vitamin A, B and C. These essential vitamins play a pivotal role in strengthening the immune system of the body. Especially during pregnancy. The stronger immune system implies that the would-be-mother is less susceptible to developing diseases arising out of viral or bacterial infection.
8. Prevents Anaemia:
Anaemia is a common condition during pregnancy. Eating jackfruit is also beneficial in relieving this condition. The high content of iron in jackfruit prevents anaemia and also boosts blood circulation in the body.
9. Increases Stamina:
During pregnancy, it is quite common for the mother to feel drained out. The natural sugars like fructose and sucrose present in jackfruit provide immediate energy dose and boos the stamina. What’s more this fruit is free from saturated fat and cholesterol. Hence eating jackfruit for pregnant women ensures the overall good health of the mother.
10. Aids Digestion:
Jackfruit has a high fibre content. This helps in easy bowel movements and thereby prevents constipation. Prolonged constipation in pregnant women. Can even lead to piles or haemorrhoids. Therefore if you feel slightly constipated, eat jackfruit every day to ease bowel movements.
See More: Rambutan during pregnancy
Watch Out: Side Effects of Jackfruit During Pregnancy:
There is no scientific evidence that proves the ill-effects of this delicious fruit during pregnancy. However, there are a few precautions that you must not ignore.
- Avoid eating jackfruit if tissue transplantation is an integral part of your pregnancy.
- Jackfruit can increase the coagulation of blood. So the ones with the pre-existing blood-related condition must be cautious while consuming jackfruit during pregnancy.
- Do not eat jackfruit if you suffer allergic reactions after eating.
- Limit your jackfruit intake. Overeating can cause abnormal stool conditions and can upset the stomach. This is due to the high content of fibres in jackfruit.
- Women probe to diabetes must avoid jackfruit during pregnancy. As it can alter the glucose level in the blood.
- See More: Can pregnant women eat grapes
Ways to include jackfruit in The Pregnancy Diet:
There are various ways in which jackfruit can be included in the pregnancy diet. The following are some of the ways in which you can eat jackfruit during pregnancy:
- If the jackfruit is ripe enough it can be eaten directly as a fruit.
- A raw jackfruit can be cooked in the form of a vegetable.
- Jackfruit chips is another way of consuming jackfruit. But the same must be done in moderation only.
- Pair the jackfruit with bananas and honey and top it with grated coconut.
- Various types of juices or smoothies can be made from jackfruit. Which is a very healthy option for consumption during pregnancy.
Jackfruit Juice During Pregnancy:
Jackfruit in itself is very healthy and pairing it with other fruits and vegetables to enhance its nutritional value. Here are various ways to prepare jackfruit juices and smoothies.
1. Jackfruit coconut smoothie:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of fresh ripe jackfruit.
- ¼ cup fresh coconut meat.
- 1 ¼ cup fresh coconut water.
- 2 bananas.
- 1 cup chopped celery.
Method:
- Peel the jackfruit and the bananas.
- Put the ingredients in a grinder and blend it into a smooth paste.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and garnish it with dried coconut and nuts.
2. Mango and jackfruit smoothie:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped mango.
- 1 cup chopped jackfruit.
- Milk to set the consistency.
- Honey or another healthy sweetener.
Method:
- Put the fruits in the blender and make a smooth paste.
- Add the sweetener and milk to adjust the consistency.
- Pour it into the glass and top it with mango chunks.
Jackfruit is a treasure pack of nutrients in the healthiest form. It contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals that are good for both the mother and the child. Jackfruit during pregnancy is very healthy and including it in your pregnancy diet will make sure that the baby comes in this world healthy and robust.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. Is jackfruit seeds good for pregnancy?
Ans: Jackfruit seeds aids in maintaining the moisture level of the skin and keeps the hair in good condition. Besides it is good for eyesight as jackfruit is rich in Vitamin A. Thus consuming jackfruit seed during pregnancy is very good for health.
Q2. Is raw jackfruit good for pregnancy?
Ans: Jackfruit is a fruit as well as a vegetable. Like all other fruits, even jackfruit can also be consumed raw without any potential harm during the pregnancy.
Q3. Is jackfruit bad for pregnancy?
Ans: Although all the women are aware of the nutritional benefits inherent in jackfruit. They doubt about its consumption during pregnancy. This is because of the myth prevalent that eating jackfruit causes miscarriage. There is no scientific reasoning which can prove this myth to be true and hence jackfruit is safe for consumption during pregnancy.
