Pregnancy is a blissful state. You know that there is one more life dwelling within you. And thus, it becomes a primary responsibility of a carrying mother to nourish that little being inside properly. Consumption of fresh fruits and veggies forms a crucial part for a pregnant woman. During the time of pregnancy, it is very much essential to focus on the diet of the mother which forms a direct impact on the health and growth of the baby. This article highlights some of the nutritional benefits of oranges during pregnancy.
Pregnant women may have strange cravings for sweets. But it is not advisable to have too much of artificial sweets. Thus fruits act as a great option. Fruits ‘up your game’ because they take care of your health as well as of those ‘sweet cravings’. One such fruit which is very much helpful is an Orange. There are various benefits of oranges during pregnancy.
An orange is packed with a lot of nutrients and has
Well, to be very clear there are numerous benefits of eating oranges during pregnancy as the nutrients contained in it act as a healthier way to improve the health and skin of both the mother and the baby.
- Rich in vitamin C
It is Vitamin C which gives orange that tangy taste. Apart from tasting great, Vitamin C is an abundant source of antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and aids in iron absorption in the blood stream. It also assists in building a strong immune system, both for the mother and for the baby.
- Folic acid
Folic acid and Vitamin B6 in orange helps the development of brain in the growing fetus. Also it helps prevent neural tube defect in the baby.
Calcium, as we all understand, helps the baby have strong bones. It is also interesting to know that eating oranges during pregnancy makes baby fair.
The presence of potassium traces in orange makes it an ideal fruit to be consumed in pregnancy because it lowers the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy that act as a common ailment during pregnancy.
- Rich in fibre content
Oranges are rich in fibre which helps the mother have sound bowel movements thus reducing bloating and flatulence. There are various nutritional benefits of oranges during pregnancy which serves a greater role for the well-being of the mother and the little baby.
Thiamin or Vitamin B1
Orange has thiamin which is a water soluble Vitamin and aids in metabolism of carbohydrates.
However, the fruit must be consumed in moderation. Consumption should be restricted to a minimum of 2-3 medium sized oranges per day as excess of there minerals may do more harm than good. Lets see how.
- Too much citric acid may cause a sore throat and may also lead to tooth enamel loss.
- Excessive fibre from the fruit may adversely affect the digestive tract .
- Due to high acidic content, it may cause heartburn
- Due to increase intake of sugar from the fruit,the risk of gestational diabetes may increase
- If having symptoms of GERD, it may increase the chances of reflux due to high acidic content
The sweet and tangy taste of oranges contains Vitamin C which not only excites the tongue taste of the mother but also offers host of advantages to the little baby. Orange juices acts as a healthy substitute that can replace the orange flavored market cadies and chewing gums.
Oranges act as a great source of nutrients which should be added to the diet chart of a pregnant woman. It is highly advised to take one glass of fresh orange juices instead of drinking the juices that are available in the market containing various preservatives. During the time of early pregnancy, one must extract the fresh juice of at least two oranges so as to derive the maximum health benefits from it. Oranges help in boosting the immune system of the body which is rich in folate. There are uncountable benefits of eating oranges every day during pregnancy.
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