Pregnancy induces a strong urge for eating. What to eat may differ from women to women. Since a pregnant woman has to feed two lives the urge is understandable.
The craving is generally for sweet or sour foods. Kiwifruits meet both requirements.
It is very healthy too. It provides a rich amount of folic acid that is required for healthy development of foetus in the early pregnancy.
Kiwifruit or Chinese gooseberry is also rich in dietary fibre, carotenoids, antioxidants, trace minerals and Vitamin C and E. All these nutrients are required by any pregnant woman to stay healthy.
Table of Contents
- Why Should You Eat Kiwifruit During Pregnancy?
- 3 Delicious Ways to Eat Kiwifruit While Pregnant
- What are Side Effects of Eating Kiwifruits?
- Which Other Fruits to Eat During Pregnancy?
Why Should You Eat Kiwifruit During Pregnancy?
Look at the following numbers of health benefits that make kiwifruit almost irresistible during pregnancy.
Topping the list of benefits of Kiwifruit is its folate contents.
Folate requirement of an average healthy woman is about 400 micrograms per day. pregnant womens requirement of folate increases to approximately 600 to 800 micrograms per day.
One medium size Kiwifruit contains 17 micrograms of folate. Making juice and smoothie from kiwi and other folate rich foods can help you to about 50 - 80 micrograms of folate per glass.
Folate helps in cognitive development of the brain of your child.
Another big benefit of Kiwifruit is its Vitamin C content. It contains more vitamin C than an average orange. One medium size Kiwifruit can meet half of your daily requirement of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is important for developing immunity and your child.
It is also rich in potassium which helps to take care of leg cramps during the pregnancy.
Antioxidant properties of Kiwifruit helps you to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
3 Delicious Ways to Eat Kiwifruit While Pregnant
You can eat Kiwifruit in many different ways to maintain variety in your consumption.
1. Kiwi Fruit Salad
- Peel and slice a medium size kiwifruit
- Add slices of half mango
- Cut 3-4 strawberries and mix to make fruit salad
You can add any other fruit to suit your taste.
2. Kiwifruit Juice
- Peel 3-4 medium size Kiwifruits
- Cut each in 4 pieces and toss into a mixer blender
- Add ½ glass of water
- Turn the blender on to make juice
- Drink and enjoy
- You can add a teaspoon of honey to improve taste
3. Kiwifruit Smoothie
Following is a healthy Kiwifruit smoothie for pregnancy
- Peel and cut 3 Kiwifruits
- Cut 1 ripe banana after removing the skin
- Take 1 cup of organic unsweetened yogurt
- Put all the ingredients in a blender mixer and blend for 2-3 minutes
- Pour it in a glass
- Add 1 tablespoon of honey and mix well
- Keep a lid on glass and put it in a deep freezer for 10 minutes if you prefer cold smoothie
- Drink and enjoy.
What are Side Effects of Eating Kiwifruits?
Kiwifruit is generally safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Too much of anything is bad and that stands good for Kiwifruit too.
let us look at some of the disadvantages you may encounter by eating too much Kiwifruit.
- Reduces blood clots and increases breathing so if you have a bleeding disorder then it will make it worst.
- Causes allergic reactions to some women who may have plant food allergies to avocados, figs, hazelnut, rye, sesame seeds or wheat. Stop eating Kiwifruit if it causes allergic reaction.
- Stop using Kiwifruit two weeks in advance if you have been advised for a cesarean section as it will interfere with blood clotting.
However in most cases KV is a fantastic addition to your daily diet during pregnancy.
Which Other Fruits to Eat During Pregnancy?
There are lots of healthy foods and vegetables that you can choose from. Some of them are listed below.
- Oranges - They are good source of folate and Vitamin C and it keeps you hydrated.
- Avocados - They are rich in fibre potassium and magnesium as well as vitamin B C and K. To help you in leg cramps during pregnancy.
- Bananas - bananas are rich in vitamin B6 Vitamin C and fibre. They are also rich in potassium and help you to deal with constipation during pregnancy.
- Apples - They are also rich in vitamin A Vitamin C and potassium. Eating Apple during pregnancy reduces the risk of asthma and allergies in the early childhood of your newborn.
- Berries - They are powerhouses of nutrients including folate, fiber and vitamin c and complex carbohydrates which are good for your overall nutrition.
- Mangoes - One cup of mangoes can meet your hundred percent requirement of Vitamin C. They are also rich in vitamin A which improves immunity of the child in there in the early days.
- Apricots - They are rich in vitamin A, C beta carotene calcium, potassium, silicon and phosphorus for stronger bone development of the child.
In fact, when you are pregnant you should be thinking more about what you are feeding to your child inside your womb rather than what you desire feeding yourself.
Avoiding junk food and eating healthy foods like Kiwifruits and others is absolutely necessary for the growth and development of the child inside you.