Pregnancy and nutrition go hand in hand, and expectant mothers must keep track of what they eat while pregnant. During pregnancy, the diet should be rich in essential nutrients such as iron, folic acid, protein, calcium, and iodine. Apricots are a fruit that is high in these nutrients and one of the best dry fruits for pregnant women. In today’s blog, let’s discover the health benefits of dried apricots. Plus, you will know how to incorporate apricots into your pregnancy diet.
Are Apricots Safe for Pregnant Women?
Absolutely, yes! To reap the benefits, you must include this fruit in your pregnancy diet. But first of all, wash it thoroughly if you are eating a fresh one. On other hand, if you are planning to consume dried apricots, you have to process them first.
Apricot drying is a straightforward process. Simply cut off some apricot flesh and dry it in two different ways: in the oven or outside in the sunlight. If you choose to follow the natural sun-dried process, the taste is better and the health benefits are greater.
This magic fruit is popular with both children and many adults in addition to pregnant women. Along with being delicious, the flavor has a slightly sweet and sour component. As a result, this snack is in very high demand worldwide.
The Miraculous Health Benefits of Dried Apricots
• The Nutritional Value of Dried Apricots
Let’s discuss the nutritional value first while talking about the health benefits of dried apricots. Small amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium are typically present in dried apricots. Additionally, it has 1.4 mg of vitamin E and 1,171 IU of vitamin A and each serving has 3 mg of sodium.
Dried apricots are now considered a low-sodium pregnancy food. Check out the many health advantages of dried apricot in pregnancy listed below for more information.
• Boosts Immunity
The vitamin found in dried fruits is beneficial for boosting the immune system. As a result, it will offer a natural immune booster that will aid in the prevention of various illnesses. These are the same health advantages of mosambi that also aid in boosting body defenses.
• Helps with Constipation
The fiber content of apricots is incredible. One of the greatest health benefits of dried apricots is that it prevents constipation during pregnancy because of their high fiber content. As a result, include apricot in your diet to have a regular and healthy bowel movement.
• Improves the Baby’s Immune System and Vision
Apricots are high in beta-carotene, which is converted into Vitamin A in the body. They help the baby’s immune system, vision, and tissue formation.
• Source of Extra Energy
A pregnant woman’s energy requirements are likely to increase during those months. This equates to an extra 300 calories per day. Half a cup of apricots can easily meet that extra requirement.
• Maintain Optimal Blood Pressure
Apricots are high in potassium, which helps to maintain fluid balance and thus optimize blood pressure levels. As a result, apricots are one of the best fruits to eat while pregnant.
• Skin Health
Apricots are high in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in our bodies. This promotes healthy skin in both the pregnant mother and the baby.
• Increases Metabolic Rate
Boosting your metabolic rate also falls under the health benefits of dried apricots. As a result, pregnant women will have a healthy digestive system and will not gain too much weight. Nutrition for the fetus is also more optimal with a proper metabolic rate.
• Development of Baby’s Bones
The benefit of eating dried apricots is that they help the fetus’s bone development. Mostly because of the calcium and magnesium content, which are required for fetal bone growth. As a result, it is a healthy snack during pregnancy.
• Prevents Anaemia
Regular fruit consumption also aids in the management of anemia symptoms. Iron helps promote the production of red blood cells. As a result, it will also result in healthy blood circulation.
• Initiates a Simple Birth
Consuming dried apricots is thought to facilitate childbirth. To prove the theory and myth, however, more research must be done in this area.
• Baby’s Nutrition
The fruit also provides the fetus with a variety of crucial nutrients. Consuming the snack is therefore recommended during pregnancy as being healthy and safe. However, the caregiver will be in charge of this. The same health advantages of tarragon juice that will support the fetus’s nutritional needs are also present.
Is There Any Side-Effect of Eating Apricots During Pregnancy?
Though there are numerous health benefits of dried apricots as mentioned below, if you don’t eat them properly, it might cause some issues. For example:
- Women who are sensitive to sulfur or have sulfites as an allergy should stay away from apricots. This is due to the sulfur dioxide that is present in apricots, which may cause reactions in women who are sensitive to sulfites.
- Pregnant women may experience gastric issues and discomfort from eating unripe apricots.
- The apricot fruit’s tip contains a chemical called amygdalin which is bad for our health. To get the most benefits, it is therefore imperative to cut off the fruit’s tip before eating it.
Different Ways to Incorporate Apricots in Your Pregnancy Diet
Eat it Raw
You can eat dried or fresh apricots when they are fully ripe. Plus, you can include these delectable fruits in your diet in a variety of ways and moderation.
Smoothies
Along with other ingredients like milk, nuts, seeds, and fruits, dried apricots can be soaked overnight and blended into a delectable smoothie beverage.
A Bowl of Cereal
You can enjoy apricots as a delectable breakfast by chopping them into small chunks and mixing them with your cereal, oatmeal, or porridge bowl.
So you’ve learned about the health benefits of dried apricots during pregnancy. Make sure to consume the fruit in moderation. Even though it has some benefits for pregnant women, you must never consume it in excess. As a result, it will be beneficial and will not cause any side effects during pregnancy.
Keep an eye on our blog posts for more information about a healthy and happy pregnancy!
Picture courtesy – bingo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dried fruit safe to consume while pregnant?
Dried fruit is safe for pregnant women to consume, but they should limit their intake of sweet fruit. It is preferable to consume dried fruits alongside fresh fruits.
Are apricots beneficial for reducing weight while pregnant?
Apricots are a great low-calorie addition to your weight-loss diet because they only have 48 calories per 100 grams. Without increasing your caloric intake, apricots can keep cravings under control and keep you full for several hours.
What occurs when you consume too many dried apricots?
However, these sweet treats are also high in fructose, a sugar that, if consumed in excess, can cause stomach pain.
Does consuming dried apricots aid in digestion?
Dried apricots are known to lower cholesterol and enhance digestion and also contain potassium and antioxidants.
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