Content of the article:
Pregnancy is the most important and difficult time in a woman’s life when she is responsible not only for her own health, but also for the development of the child. Therefore, future mothers are trying to saturate the body with vitamins and other beneficial substances.
If the waiting time for a baby falls in the summer and early autumn, then it is simply impossible for a woman to pass by the huge breakup where watermelons are sold. A sweet slice relieves thirst and delivers incredible pleasure, but is a watermelon useful for pregnant women and will it become a good support for a woman in a period that cannot be called simple?
Under the influence of physiological processes, the expectant mother can experience not only positive emotions associated with the expectation of the baby. Pregnancy is sometimes accompanied by unpleasant symptoms and sensations, which include vitamin deficiency, toxicosis of different gestational age, anemic conditions, edema, digestive disorders, heartburn and nervous disorders. Can pregnant eat watermelon? Whether negative manifestations will be aggravated?
A huge berry, which consists of more than 90% of water and with a competent approach, can have a very beneficial effect on the female body, and in some cases also relieve the unpleasant sensations that accompany the pregnancy.
How is watermelon useful for pregnant women?
The benefits of watermelons during pregnancy are obvious. Indeed, besides water, the red aromatic pulp of watermelon contains ascorbic acid, vitamins A, B1 and B2, PP, B5 and B9, as well as iron and magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sodium, manganese and calcium, zinc, fluorine and many other micro- and macronutrients. There are organic acids in ripe fruits. Dietary fiber that has a positive effect on body cleansing and digestion, natural sugars and other active substances.
Therefore, physicians not only prohibit, but also strongly recommend to include in the diet of a pregnant woman watermelons and other melons and gourds. Why can I eat watermelon during pregnancy? And what is its effect on the female body? In reasonable quantities and with proper quality, the watermelon pulp will help:
- to remove excess fluid from the body, thus preventing the formation of edema;
- gently clean the intestines and the entire body from toxins and toxins;
- normalize metabolism;
- to deal with anemia;
- to work the digestive system, playing the role of preventing constipation and adjusting regular stools;
- cope with stressful conditions and calm down.
And, among other things, watermelon during pregnancy is a good way to quench your thirst, quickly replenish your bodypower and elements necessary for the body.
Surprisingly, only a small slice of watermelon in a pregnant woman can neutralize the signs of toxicosis.
After such breakfast:
- improves mood;
- volatilized muscle weakness;
- passes heartburn, nausea;
- retching gagging.
In the third trimester, consuming magnesium and potassium-containing, ripe watermelon to a pregnant woman can help with cramping of the limbs and other muscle spasms.
Lycopene, or the usefulness of a watermelon during pregnancy
One of the signs of ripeness and quality of watermelon is traditionally considered to be bright red or pink color of its flesh. And although today there are varieties with no less sweet and juicy yellow or even heart aches, it is better for pregnant women to stay on more familiar fruits.
It is in the red flesh that contains lycopene. This substance has all the properties of antioxidant, supports immunity and protects the future mother from cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases.
As the fetus develops, the female body experiences serious stresses, and thanks to lycopene, several slices of watermelon:
- will help preserve and increase beauty;
- take care of enhancing natural defenses;
- will protect from unpleasant consequences if the expectant mother suddenly becomes absent-minded, forgetful, or begins to be upset because of trifles.
Benefits of watermelon during pregnancy for digestion
But the answer to the affirmative question: "Can I eat watermelon for pregnant?" Should not only this reason. No less important is the role of watermelon in the diet if the expectant mother suffers from intestinal dysfunctions and other digestive disorders.
The most common problem in the second half of pregnancy is constipation that torments women, arising from the increasing, as the baby develops, the pressure of the uterus on the organs of the digestive tract. In pregnancy, watermelon, which contains a lot of moisture and fiber, can be a mild and effective means for stool normalization.
Red pulp activates metabolic processes, as if cleaning out slags with a sponge, stimulating the activity of the intestines and stomach, preventing fecal masses from stagnating and serving as a source of toxins.
Juicy watermelon during pregnancy as a natural diuretic
The kidneys of a pregnant woman, in addition to normal functions, take the responsibility to clean the mother's body from traces of the future baby. Therefore, the load on the organs of the genitourinary sphere is seriously increasing. So is it possible to eat watermelon during pregnancy, and will its use not cause serious damage?
If you do not get involved in watermelon and other juicy fruits, then they will only benefit. If the expectant mother does not have kidney and bladder diseases, then the doctor is unlikely to react negatively to the watermelon in the menu. On the contrary, if you eat up to 700 grams of fresh ripe pulp per day, it will serve as a diuretic and will help eliminate excess fluid and toxins.
In order to avoid troubles about the permissible portion of watermelon, it is better to cope with the attending specialist, and at the slightest deterioration of health, it is better to refuse delicacy.
Requirements for the quality of watermelon during pregnancy
However, the useful qualities of watermelon can be manifested only under the condition that the fetus is ripe and of high quality, as well as in the absence of medical contraindications. The earlier the watermelon hit the counter, the more likely it is that the sweetness and color of the flesh is due not to the hot summer sun, but to the chemicals that the odd businessmen pump up the melons in pursuit of profit.
And if for an adult body the permissible rate of nitrate consumption reaches 60 mg per day, for an unborn child these substances are destructive in smaller quantities. That is why pregnant women should not consume watermelon before their mass ripening, that is, until the middle or end of August.
You can recognize the low quality of watermelon:
- due to uneven color of the pulp;
- on dry or undeveloped areas in the heart of the fetus;
- on coarse yellowish fibers penetrating the pulp;
- for unusual flavor or shade;
- on the scaly or watery pulp near the seeds.
The abundance of sugar and loose surface make the watermelon flesh attractive for all sorts of pathogens that are dangerous for the woman and the fetus.
In order for a watermelon to bring only benefits during pregnancy, it is necessary to wash the bark thoroughly before use and not to store the cut fruit even in the refrigerator for more than a day. And eating a summer delicacy is possible only with the permission of a doctor and subject to the strictest measures.
When and why pregnant women can not eat watermelon?
A pregnant woman will have to stop using watermelon if she has been diagnosed with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys, as well as if she has an individual intolerance to the product.
Watermelon during pregnancy can provoke an exacerbation of inflammatory processes in the kidneys, ureters and the digestive system.
As the juicy flesh can activate gas formation in the intestines, increase peristalsis and cause diarrhea, for the expectant mother this threatens with painful feelings and other unpleasant symptoms. And in the presence of stones and sand in the urogenital area, watermelon activates their movement, which will necessarily affect the woman’s well-being. That is why watermelon can not be pregnant women who have not received permission from the doctor. Only by observing the rules of caution and knowing the measure, you can enjoy the sugar flavored pulp with pleasure and benefit.
