Cashew nuts are quite specifically used in most homes. Some are fond of cashew nuts in different forms. If you like to eat cashew nuts, read on to know whether it is safe to eat cashew nuts during pregnancy or not.Many doctors recommend pregnant mothers to avoid consuming nuts during pregnancy so that allergies are not sparked off in the foetus. However, cashew is a relatively low risk group of nut and is highly recommended by nutritionists to be extremely beneficial for mother and the baby. However, due to its heat inducing properties, pregnant women are advised to avoid eating them during the
first trimester. So, it is a must for you to consult your doctor before including cashew nuts in your diet.
There are several reasons as to why cashews are good for your meal plan and read on to know more about the macro and micro nutrients in it.
Can I Eat Cashews during Pregnancy?
Cashews have a high store of fat and protein which have a beneficial effect on mother and baby. One ounce of cashews has 4.3 grams of protein and the amino acids inside this protein will help the baby develop faster. There are 13 grams of fat in one ounce of cashew nuts and this fat provides adequate amount of energy to the mother and the baby. Both cholesterol level and cardiac risk ratio decreases when cashews are consumed in moderate quantities over extended period of time. Each ounce of cashew nuts also contains 9 gm of carbohydrates which give the mother enough energy while the high amount of dietary fibre helps in regulating the digestive function.
Are there any Harmful Effects of Consuming Cashews during Pregnancy?
In case you have experienced allergies to poison oak and other related members of the same plant group it is possible that you can experience an allergic reaction to cashews as well. In the raw unprocessed form, cashews contain urushiol which is the same oil that is present in poison oak. The element urushiol can also make the skin
itch and can produce rashes. While there is no direct side effect of this issue on the foetus it can hamper the sleep patterns of the mother and thus harm the progression of a
healthy pregnancy.
Benefits of Eating Cashews during Pregnancy
The biggest advantage of consuming cashews lies in their high stores of
iron. The body produces more blood during pregnancy and this is why pregnant women need a lot more iron. If enough iron containing foods are not included in the diet it may be very common for pregnant to feel fatigued and dizzy. A severe deficiency of iron can also stall the growth of the foetus. One ounce of dried cashew contains 17 mg of iron which fulfils more than half of the normal recommended dietary intake during pregnancy.
Vitamin K is very important during pregnancy as it regulates the blood coagulation function. Cashews are very high in Vitamin K as one ounce of cashew nuts has 9.3 mcg of Vitamin K. Though the actual dietary recommendation of Vitamin K during pregnancy is 90 mcg having cashews daily will help in building up the Vitamin K intake. Consumption of adequate Vitamin K helps to reduce the risk of foetal bleeding in the
delivery phase.
Cashews are also a very rich source of copper and this useful micronutrient is responsible for the proper development of foetal blood vessels, cardiac system and nervous system. 1 mg of copper consumed everyday can keep the mother and child in the best of health but anything more than 1.5 mg of copper can spur diarrhoea and digestive issues for the mother. 1 ounce of cashews contains almost 0.6 mg of copper so one helping of cashews fulfils more than half of daily copper dietary requirement.
Is it Healthy and Safe to Eat Cashews during Pregnancy?
Given the high amount of nutrients contained in cashews and their delicious taste it is advisable for pregnant women to include them in their meal plan. However, you need to be balanced in your consumption ratio in order to make a safe choice.
Cashews are extremely high in calories and can make you gain weight quite fast. This is why nutritionists recommend pregnant women to consume not more than 1 ounce of cashew nuts daily and that too after having an allergy test done. It is also recommended to consume unsalted cashew nuts for limiting the sodium intake.
Is it healthy to eat cashew nuts during pregnancy? Is it harmful to eat cashew nuts during pregnancy? What are the benefits of eating cashew nuts during pregnancy? Discuss here. 
