Many women are forced to adjust their dietary habits during pregnancy because not all meals are safe for the developing fetus. As nuts are considered to be rather “heavy”, some women doubt whether eating them during this time is a good idea.
In this blog, you’ll find the answers to the most popular doubts that come in minds of expecting moms.
Are cashews safe to eat when pregnant?
The answer to this question is really simple. Of course, they are healthy unless you are allergic to this particular nut. They're a great addition to a healthy diet in all other instances.
What are the advantages of cashew nuts when you're pregnant?
Eating nuts lowers the risk of your child being allergic to them. In essence, you are helping your unborn child in developing resistance to the allergy. This should lessen the chances of your child having a severe reaction, especially considering the fact that your kid won’t have a genetic tendency to this kind of allergy.
Cashews are high in macronutrients and are a good source of protein.
Your infant requires a lot of proteins and healthy fats to flourish. They are the best provider of both of these nutrients among all nuts. They also include carbs and fiber, both of which are necessary for lowering bad cholesterol and preventing heart disease. Pregnancy can be hard on your body, especially if you have a family history of heart disease. Because you won't be able to use any pharmaceutical medications to mitigate the risks, you should take advantage of this opportunity to do it in a healthy manner.
1 oz. of roasted cashew nuts contains 1.7 mg of iron
This level of iron is extremely high when it comes to food sources of this mineral. As a result, these nuts are a must-eat for pregnant women, who require 27 mg of iron each day. Anemia, which is caused by a lack of iron, is common nowadays, and the condition is worse for women because their bodies must generate more blood while carrying a child. This mineral is necessary for the creation of hemoglobin, thus it's important to have enough of it if you want your blood to be healthy.
Cashews are high in vitamin K and are a good source of it.
This is another way in which this superfood helps your blood, as vitamin K ensures that blood coagulates properly. It's worth noting that getting 90 mcg of this vitamin every day while pregnant lowers the chance of fetal bleeding during delivery.
Cashews are rich in copper
Copper is necessary for the development of blood vessels, the nervous system, and the heart in the developing baby. The required daily amount for copper is 1mg, and 1oz of these nuts contains 0.6mg of this mineral. However, you should be careful as an excessive amount of it can provoke diarrhea, heart problems, and headaches.
Magnesium is another key mineral found in cashews.
It cooperates with calcium and promotes the health of muscles and bones in pregnant women, as well as protects them from high blood pressure, tension, exhaustion, and migraines.
What side-effects of consuming cashews may be expected?
Eating too many cashews can result in gaining extra weight
Therefore they should be consumed in moderation. You should keep track of your daily intake and limit it to 1 oz. Given that gaining weight during pregnancy is unavoidable, a few excess pounds can be harmful to both you and your future baby.
This superfood might cause renal and gallbladder problems if consumed in excess.
This could be due to the existence of oxalates in the body. This could be due to the oxalates present in these nuts. Oxalates tend to concentrate in body fluids, resulting in the problems mentioned above. Pregnant women should be especially cautious.
How can you get the most out of your cashew nuts?
The following rules should be followed while evaluating the beneficial characteristics of cashew nuts:
Purchase only high-quality nuts. You can assess the product based on its appearance and structure. Nuts should not be wrinkled, and raids, especially in the form of mold, are not permitted. The surface is smooth and the hue is light. You'll need pure cashews that have been thermally processed.
Keep them in a sealed container in a dark, cool location. A refrigerator or freezer is a fantastic alternative, especially when a large amount of food is being stored. If the nuts are left out for an extended period of time, especially in a warm or exposed environment, the product is no longer suitable for a pregnant woman.
A daily dose of 30 grams (about 15-18 pieces of nuts) is recommended. It is suggested that the portion be divided for the entire day and that nuts be eaten as a light snack. It's also best not to combine it with other foods or sweets.
For better digestion and maximum benefit, each nut must be thoroughly chewed, it is not recommended to eat the whole handful at once.
Begin with a few nuts and gradually increase the portion size to 30 grams.