Are you fond of fruits? Are you pregnant? Then you must know that you cannot eat all types of fruits during this time even when you are fond of, because pregnancy comes with surprising changes in your eating habits and lifestyle. But there are few fruits which are highly recommended by doctors for you to have during
pregnancy, for example, kiwi.
Kiwi fruit is loaded with nutrients that are especially needed during pregnancy, and has almost no cholesterol.
Is It Healthy to Eat Kiwi During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women are advised to have at least 400 mcg of
folate daily. Kiwi is a great source of natural folate, as a standard serving size of kiwi offers 37 mcg of folate, which is almost 10% of the daily recommendation. Kiwi is also an excellent source of vitamin C, as a standard serving size of kiwi offers about 137 mg of vitamin C, which is more than the daily recommendation during pregnancy. Kiwi is also a good source of vitamin K, as a standard serving contains almost 60 mcg i.e. almost 67% of the daily recommendation during pregnancy. Thus kiwi is healthy to eat during pregnancy provided that you do not have gastritis or any heritable allergy.
Kiwi - Rich in Folate
Folate is an essential ingredient for every pregnant woman. It is an integral key nutrient for the maintenance and formation of new cell growth. It is needed to reduce the risk of having neural tube defects such as spina bifida (incomplete development of spinal cord) in the unborn baby. It is also needed to boost the circulation in order to provide proper blood supply to the foetus, keeping it healthier. Kiwi fruit has a high content of folic acid, which directly benefits your unborn baby inside your womb.
Kiwi – Rich in Vitamin C
Pregnant women need vitamin C because it is needed to make collagen to strengthen connective tissues of the foetus and it also boosts immunity. Vitamin C also prevents the
stretch marks on your abdomen. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which protects your body from free radical damage and prevents the growth of certain viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Kiwi is full of vitamin C and showers you all the benefits of vitamin C during you pregnancy.
Kiwi - Rich in Fiber
As many pregnant women suffer through constipation, fibre is much needed during these times. Laxatives can be dangerous as they may cause cramps, so eating a diet rich in fibre is the best way to facilitate bowel movement and feel better throughout the day. Kiwi is rich in fibre, and not only it prevents you from constipation, but also reduces the risk of any stomach disorders by reducing toxins from colon. It also reduces the chance of haemorrhoids,
nausea, gas, and any digestive discomfort.
Other Benefits of Eating Kiwi during Pregnancy
Kiwi has natural sugars so it can help enjoy your sweet cravings, without increasing your cholesterol intake as it has no cholesterol and very low fat. It contains strong antioxidants like carotenoids, polyphenols, etc., which can strengthen your immune system and reduce stress. It is also effective in regulating hormonal balance during pregnancy. Its high magnesium content helps in improving bone strength in mothers and its iron absorption power prevents anaemia in pregnant women. It reduces the risk of cancer in pregnant women and enhances the eyesight.
As mentioned above, kiwi has all the nutrients needed during pregnancy. Keeping all these in mind, you can surely enjoy having at least 2-3 kiwi fruits every day during your pregnancy. But you should remember a word of caution – you should avoid kiwi if you suffer from gastritis or any heritable allergy. For any other concerns about the fruit, you can always reach out to your doctor.
