One of the common things that moms-to-be often hear about is what to eat and what not to eat during pregnancy. Though controlling your taste buds could be a bit challenging, it could end up being beneficial for you and the baby. However, there are many things that you can eat while pregnant in comparison to the ones you need to skip. In that case, how about Hing during pregnancy?
The food consumed by the mothers has a direct impact on the child. Packaged or adulterated food must be avoided or consumed with caution during pregnancy. Hing is the most common food spice in the Indian kitchen. Not only does it enhance the taste and aroma of the food, but it comes with a plethora of health benefits.
Right from curing stomach ailments to tackling breathing issues, this spice could make wonders. Let us in this article know more about the significance of Hing during pregnancy.
Is It Safe To Eat Hing While Pregnant?
Obtained from the roots of the herb named Ferula, Hing is widely used in Indian recipes. Though known for its health benefits, many moms have a doubt: is it safe to have Hing during pregnancy? When it comes to pregnancy, even the most trustworthy food should be consumed with a lot of precaution as even the slightest ignorance could be harmful to the expecting mom and the child.
Consuming Hing during pregnancy is purely the choice of the pregnant lady. In case you are allergic to it, it is better to avoid it. The pungent and aromatic smell of this spice can cause certain issues during pregnancy. This is the reason; it is considered unsafe for certain expecting mothers and the baby and thus is on the list of spices to avoid during pregnancy.
Since pregnant women are more sensitive to smell during their early stages of pregnancy, too much addition of Asafoetida can lead to vomiting. In case of allergy, it can lead to swollen lips, burping, gas forming, throat infection, and diarrhea.
We have to agree that Hing is an inseparable part of our cuisine and hence using it in moderation will not cause any harm.
Is Asafoetida Harmful During Pregnancy?
Asafoetida/Hing is a food spice that is beneficial in many ways. Anything taken in moderation is always safe during pregnancy unless you aren’t allergic or have any side effects because of the food. Hing during pregnancy has been reported to have many health benefits such as keeping stomach-related ailments at bay. It is also helpful in tackling the common pregnancy discomforts such as constipation and acidity, and helps in keeping a healthy stomach.
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Many pregnant women doubt if it is safe to consume Asafoetida during pregnancy in the third trimester. Anything in moderation is always safe to consume in pregnancy. However, you may check with your doctor for more details.
Benefits Of Hing During Pregnancy
Considered an ayurvedic food, Hing is a commonly used spice in the Indian kitchen and comes as a super savior for many health ailments. A woman must be careful about what spices she includes in her pregnancy diet. However, spices like Hing come with an array of nutrients like carbs, fiber, potassium, calcium, and iron which increases their medicinal properties.
Many spices could make your food flavorful and delicious. This simple cooking ingredient offers many wonderful health benefits which makes it a must-inclusive food for all. Though there are many health benefits of Hing, let us see how helpful it is to include Hing during pregnancy.
1. Cures stomach related issues
Due to its anti-inflammatory property, eating Hing during pregnancy helps to take care of the common stomach discomforts experienced by pregnant women. It takes care of stomach issues such as acidity, aches, and burns and also helps in treating stomach infections.
You can add Hing as part of your everyday meals by including it in curries and Sabzi. This enables zero food poisoning. You can also add a small pinch of Hing to a glass of warm water and drink it after your meals.
Related Reading: Black Pepper During Pregnancy- Is It Safe?
2. Good source of antioxidants
It is believed that Hing is a good source of antioxidants. These components help to protect your cells from the damages caused by free radicals. It also protects you against chronic inflammation, and type 2 diabetes.
3. Aids better digestion
One common use of Hing during pregnancy is to improve digestion. Including Hing in your daily meal intake helps improve digestion better. It is also believed that it helps in boosting digestion by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes. It helps to increase the release of bile from your liver, which is needed for digesting fast.
4. Treats irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome could cause abdominal pain which leads to bloating, gas, constipation, or even diarrhea. Due to its potential effects on digestion, consuming Hing during pregnancy helps to reduce the symptoms associated with IBS and is one effective home remedy for abdominal pain during pregnancy.
5. Treats mild headache
If you are worried about: is Hing Goli is safe during pregnancy, the answer is yes. Taking Hing Goli during pregnancy helps to prevent the onset of pregnancy headaches. It is suggested to use Hing Goli at least three to four times a day in case you are facing a mild headache. The coumarins present in Hing will help in thinning blood vessels — whose blockages generally lead to headaches.
Side Effects Of Asafoetida In Pregnancy
If you are someone who uses Hing regularly, you must know how beneficial it is on an overall basis. Right from being a taste enhancer to provide instant relief to many stomach ailments, Hing is easily available in everyone’s home kitchen.
Though there are numerous health benefits of consuming Hing during pregnancy, you must watch out for the side effects it might cause to you and the baby to be born. Pregnancy is a phase where even the best foods can turn out to be the worst for you when you are expecting a baby.
Listed below are a few side effects of consuming Hing during pregnancy.
- Pregnant ladies having blood pressure problems, most avoid or have Hing in moderation as Asafoetida interferes with blood pressure control
- The abortifacient property present in Hing is not recommended for pregnant women. This means it can lead to miscarriage. Hence, we recommend you not to eat Asafoetida in large quantities when you are expecting
- Hing during pregnancy is known to be harmful to children. In case you are breastfeeding, we recommend you consider the quantity of Hing consumed. There are a few chances for the chemicals in Asafoetida to pass into breast milk. This might cause certain disorders in the newborn
- Including a little Asafoetida in your diet may not be harmful. However, you should confirm with your doctor before using it in your food daily
- Consuming large quantities of Hing during pregnancy may cause gas, diarrhea, anxiety, headaches, and mouth swelling
- Consuming raw Hing may cause nausea and vomiting because of its pungent and strong flavor
Related Reading: 21 Breastfeeding Tips For First Time Mothers
Applying Hing On the Stomach During Pregnancy
Hing is an effective way of easing out the abdominal cramps of pregnant women when applied to the navel. It acts like a natural base that dilutes the acidity in the stomach. It helps to ease intestinal gastric issues as well.
How to do:
- Mix a pinch of Hing with a few drops of mustard oil
- Lie on a floor or bed and gently massage it on the navel
- This will offer instant relief from the pain associated with flatulence and bloating
- You can also mix a pinch of Hing with warm water and consume for instant relief
- For people who do not like the taste of Hing, this method works best
How to Use Hing in Cooking?
Hing is available in two forms: one in a sticky dark brown lump — which is considered to be the original form or in a yellowish powder form. The powdered form is often mixed with rice flour or turmeric powder to enhance the food flavor.
Right from fried snacks to Indian curry, using Hing in any food will take the dish to the next level. In case you plan to get the most taste out of it, you need to know the best way to use it for cooking.
Listed below are some recommendations to use Hing in your cooking process.
- If you are using Hing in its real form i.e., in lumps, then granulate it into small little pieces and mix it with some water. Then add this mixture to the recipe
- If you like to have the strong aroma of Hing, add Hing to the Tadka
- If you are using powdered Hing, add a pinch of it in hot water and then add this mixture to the recipe
- Adding Hing to Ghee will give it a different flavor which many of them like
Related Reading: Ghee During Pregnancy- Benefits And Precautions
Conclusion
Hing is an indispensable spice for Indian cuisine as it plays an important role in many aspects. You can turn the blandest dish into a wonderful aroma and finger-licking flavor by adding this spice to the dish.
Hing during pregnancy is a natural ingredient that could be beneficial in many ways. However, remember that the benefits do follow precautions. Be careful while using Hing in case you have a history of allergic reactions to spices. Since pregnancy is a time for precaution, always check with your doctor before consuming.