Pregnancy is a time when you need to be careful about your health as well as of the child in your womb. Horse gram is full of nutrition and fibre, but it also produces lot of energy and heat. Read on to learn about whether it is safe to eat horse gram during pregnancy or not.With the rise of so many complexities regarding health during pregnancy, it has become important to keep an eye on what you are eating during those days. It may contribute to your unborn baby’s growth and development or may pose a serious risk to his or her health. So, you need to choose the right kind of food which is beneficial for you and your baby at the same time.
Whole grains are an important part of your
diet during pregnancy because they have a lot of fiber and are effective in reducing cholesterol levels in your body. Horse gram is one of many whole grains consumed in India.
What Is Horse Gram?
Horse gram is less popular but is very nutritious. It is a dark brown lentil, belongs to the legume family, and is quite common in South Indian recipes. It has high protein content and is filled up with fiber. It is also rich in
iron, molybdenum,
calcium, hemaguttinin (found in antibodies and autoimmune functions), and polyphenols (high antioxidant), which makes it a superfood. It has many therapeutic properties. You can happily add this to your pregnancy diet on a regular basis.
Is It Good to Eat Horse Gram During Pregnancy?
Horse gram is rich in iron, and thus helps in increasing the blood count when you are expecting a new baby and is in need of more blood running inside your body and the womb. Horse gram is very nutritious and filling because of the high fiber content. This helps you a lot in gaining the
correct weight during your pregnancy.
Even the phenol content of the seeds prevents you from gaining excess weight, thus it is very effective in lowering cholesterol levels and thus reducing the risk of gestational diabetes. During pregnancy, horse gram is also effective in getting you rid of intestinal gas and in curing
indigestion, thus keeping your digestive system healthy.
Medicinal Uses of Horse Gram
Horse gram has diuretic and astringent effects. It is known to control fever. Horse gram is also effective in extracting phlegm and giving you relief when you are suffering with cold and cough. It has a lot of heat to keep your body warm during winter. It is also used in treating kidney stones and peptic ulcer.
In Ayurveda, horse gram is widely used for treating different health issues, such as worm removal, rheumatism, piles, and conjunctivitis. You can control skin rashes and boils by applying a paste of powdered horse gram in some water on the skin.
Is It Harmful to Eat Horse Gram During Pregnancy?
Horse gram has no harmful effects during pregnancy. It is supposed to contain a lot of heat but there are no studies that have shown any risk for eating horse gram during pregnancy. There are very few possible side effects due to overeating horse grams, such as it can cause bile production if overeaten. Otherwise, if you include this in your regular pregnancy diet, there is no harm.
How to Add Horse Gram in Your Pregnancy Diet?
You can introduce horse gram in different curries and soups and can eat with roti or boiled rice. You can prepare a delicious dish with horse grams along with coriander leaves, mustard seeds, tender radish leaves, and spinach. You can cook it just like your usual pulses recipe and have it. In some parts of India, horse gram is used in making laddus for pregnant women.
Finally, if you have some doubt regarding eating horse gram during your pregnancy days, you should better discuss it with your doctor who understands your pregnancy condition the best. For best results, it is always better to talk to your doctor before you decide on introducing any new food to your diet, especially when you are expecting.
Is it good to eat horse gram during pregnancy? What are the side-effects of eating horse gram during pregnancy? How to add horse gram into the diet during pregnancy? Discuss here 
