Pregnancy is a wonderful journey anticipating the arrival of your little one. Moreover, pregnancy is also a phase where you choose healthy foods over unhealthy ones. Having said that, fruits being one of the best healthy options, there arises a doubt if it is safe to eat guava during pregnancy.
Women need to eat the right food during pregnancy for their babies to get the right nutrition. Women could have many cravings and craving guava during pregnancy is also common. With fruits being the best starter option, let us see about the overall impact of eating guava during pregnancy.
Is It Safe To Eat Guava During Pregnancy?
If you are questioning yourself, is it safe to eat guava during pregnancy, the answer is simply, yes! Many people consider eating guava during pregnancy as a safe option as it is a rich source of fiber, Vitamin C, and folate. It is considered to promote healthy pregnancy and also increases fertility.
Guava could be taken in any form such as ripe, unripe, or even as a juice. Eating unripe guava during pregnancy is not recommended. However, you may go for ripe guava after washing it properly. Also, make sure to eat them in moderation.
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The Nutritional Profile Of Guava
To enjoy a healthy and safe pregnancy, expecting mothers need to have proper nutrition incorporated in their diet. The several benefits of guava make it one best fruit to take in case you are craving guava during pregnancy. Also, eating guava during pregnancy is highly recommended by many doctors and medical experts.
Guavas come with numerous health benefits. As a powerhouse of nutrients, it is rich in folate, antioxidants, Vitamin C & A, lycopene, calcium, manganese, and potassium. Besides, it comes with rich fiber content and is low in calories making you enjoy it in your everyday meal.
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In general, guavas are a must-have for those who have a tough time managing diabetes, blood pressure, and even dull-looking skin.
According to a source, below are the nutritional values for every 100 gm of guava.
- No. of Calories: 68
- Total Fat 1g: 1% of daily value
- Saturated Fat 0.3g: 2% of daily value
- Sodium 2mg: 0 % of daily value
- Total Carbohydrate 14g: 5 % of daily value
- Dietary Fiber 5.4g: 19 % of daily value
- Sugar 8.9g
- Protein 2.6g: 5 % of daily value
- Calcium 18.00mg: 1 % of daily value
- Iron 0.26mg: 1 % of daily value
- Potassium 417mg: 9 % of daily value
6 Health Benefits Of Guava During Pregnancy
A pregnant woman’s eating preferences are not only constrained to her but are also in consideration of her to-be-born child. The fetus receives its nutritional value from what the mom eats during pregnancy. The soon-to-be mothers stay extra cautious on what fruits to eat and which one to avoid. In case you are craving guava during pregnancy, you may happily eat it owing to the plethora of benefits from it.
As the child is attached to the mother through the umbilical cord, whatever is eaten by the mother reaches the child. Hence many women even prefer guava during pregnancy in the third trimester owing to its aroma and its nutritional value.
Let us see the benefits of guava during pregnancy and why pregnant women need to have it.
1. Guavas improve immunity
Guavas are rich in antioxidant properties and are abundant in Vitamins A, C, and E. Pregnant women need to stay healthy and immune throughout pregnancy.
As a rich source of Vitamin C which helps boost and strengthen immunity, eating guavas during pregnancy helps to fight various diseases. Also, the body’s metabolism increases with its intake.
2. Guavas are rich in nutrients
The delicious green fruit, guava is a storehouse of nutrients. It is a rich source of Vitamin C and is also a good source of calcium which makes it a good choice to be consumed during pregnancy.
Also, the folic acid content in the fruit helps in the growth of the fetus. The magnesium content in the fruit helps keep muscles and nerves relaxed.
3. Maintains blood pressure
Pregnant women are more susceptible to high blood pressure. This could be a threat to pregnant women. Eating guava during pregnancy could help maintain blood pressure under control. One best benefit of eating this fruit is that it prevents the clotting of blood and maintains the fluidity of blood.
They are rich in potassium which helps lower the negative effects of salt. Hence there is less chance of miscarriage or pre-birth while eating guavas during pregnancy.
4. Treats constipation
Constipation is common during pregnancy along with hemorrhoids. It is usually due to hormonal changes. Guavas are rich in fiber content; hence it is one right choice.
Fiber adds bulk to the stool. It helps create pressure in bowel movements making your digestion healthy. Hence it is recommended to have guava during pregnancy for constipation. You can also eat guava with seeds which helps treat hemorrhoids.
5. Maintains blood sugar levels
Gestational diabetes is common during pregnancy which acts as a major threat for to-be moms. Consumption of guava helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Having one ripe guava every day could reduce pregnancy complications.
Pregnant women could go on hunger pangs and look out to eat something. Guavas help to keep your tummy full for a longer time.
6. Combats morning sickness
Morning sickness is displeasure for most pregnant women. The feeling of nausea and aversion to food could prevent them from having one guava everyday. Also, the presence of Vitamin C in guavas helps combat morning sickness. Also consuming guavas with buttermilk and without its seeds help to ease the vomiting sensation too.
In addition to the above benefits, eating guavas during pregnancy can increase energy levels and decrease stress levels. They also improve the texture of skin and hair.
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Risks And Precautions Of Eating Guava During Pregnancy
Guava is considered a safe fruit to eat throughout pregnancy. It contains various nutrients and meets your daily nutritional requirement. A few people believe eating guavas during pregnancy increases the chances of appendicitis in a pregnant woman, though there is no medical proof against it.
Anything in moderation is almost always safe to eat. The same applies to guavas.
Having said much, let us see the side effects of guava during pregnancy and if it can make the pregnancy unsafe.
1. Fear of diarrhea
As stated earlier, anything taken in moderation is not a problem. Similarly, guavas if taken in moderation are always safe and nutritious for pregnant moms.
However, this fiber-rich fruit if taken in large quantities could cause diarrhea. Remember to eat only one ripe guava a day.
2. Use of chemicals
Like any other fruits, guavas are also stored using a lot of chemicals. These chemicals can cause side effects and could impact the pregnancy phase.
Hence it is always important to wash the fruit and if possible, peel its skin before consuming guavas during pregnancy.
3. Unripe guavas during pregnancy
Many people like to eat unripe guavas and there is nothing wrong with it. However, during pregnancy, it is recommended not to take unripe guavas. It is advised you consume the ripe guavas which are equally nutritious.
Unripe guavas are hard to eat and could cause dental problems like toothache.
4. Don’t encourage supplements
It is always recommended to go for natural fruit rather than going for supplements of guava. Consuming fresh and natural guava is the best for pregnant women. Eating it in raw form or juice form will give you the same nutrition.
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Precautions Of Eating Guava During Pregnancy
When it comes to pregnancy, there are a lot of fruits and vegetables that need to be avoided owing to the risk factor involved. Nevertheless, guavas are safe and healthy and it is ok to consume guava during pregnancy as it is nutritious.
Although guavas taste delicious and are considered safe during pregnancy and offer numerous health benefits there are a few precautions you need to follow.
Hence, we request you to follow the below precautions while eating guavas during pregnancy.
- It is better to choose white guava over the red ones as it is healthy
- Eat guavas during breakfast or as an evening snack
- Eat guavas in moderation as too much consumption could lead to diarrhea
- In case you are allergic to guavas go for alternative fruit such as cherries or strawberries
Conclusion
During pregnancy, it is essential to eat fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables as including fresh fruits is an ideal choice for having a safe pregnancy. Now after knowing the benefits of guava during pregnancy, do not miss on including it in your daily diet.
Remember, if anything unhealthy is consumed by the mother, there is a direct impact on the child to be born. Always choose over the ripe guavas during pregnancy that needs to be washed well. You can also add guava to a fruit bowl of salads to reap benefits of this highly nutritious fruit.