Grapefruit during pregnancy: when can I eat and what are the limitations?
Sometimes even expectant mothers want to taste fragrant grapefruit.This article will help you to understand when you can eat this fruit during pregnancy, as well as what restrictions on its use are.
What is useful?
Fruits are a mandatory component of the menu of a pregnant woman. Expect these mothers to avoid these important products. Fruits are the source of a variety of active ingredients that are needed not only by the body of a pregnant woman, but also by the body of the fetus, actively growing in the maternal belly.
Grapefruit refers to fruits that, of course, You can eat while carrying a baby. But it should be used, not forgetting certain recommendations. So, some pregnant women have tart fragrant fruits should not, as this can harm them. If there are no contraindications for taking grapefruits, then they can be safely consumed without fear for the development of any adverse symptoms.
Grapefruit is a source of useful mineral components that the future mother's body needs. These substances are not only capable of improving the well-being of the pregnant woman herself, but they also help to stabilize the course of all the processes of fetal development.
Scientists note that at every stage of their growth, the baby in the womb needs certain vitamins and minerals. The crumb can receive these components, important for its development, only through the circulatory network shared with his mother. If a pregnant woman has grapefruits, then the nutrients they contain also enter the body of the child.
In the early stages
Grapefruit contains quite a lot of folic acid - the most important component for the normal course of pregnancy. This substance is simply necessary for the formation of healthy cells in the children's body. Insufficient intake of folic acid into the body is fraught with the development of multiple complications and pathologies, most of which manifest themselves after the appearance of the crumbs into the world.
The physiological need for folic acid is particularly significant during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is during this period that the vital organs of the baby are laid. In order for the cells of the child's body to be fully formed, they need many components, including folic acid. The use of grapefruit is an excellent preventive measure for the development of pathological conditions characterized by a deficiency of folic acid.
The first half of pregnancy is the time when the expectant mother may face extremely adverse manifestations of toxicosis. This pathology can significantly impair the health of the future mother, as well as lead to a decrease in positive perception from the process of carrying a baby. Toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy, according to doctors, quite often recorded pathology.
In this pathological condition, the future mother is worried about severe nausea. Vomiting may occur in the morning. When toxicosis, as a rule, disappears and appetite. Such changes contribute to the fact that the expectant mother feels extremely bad, and her mood is reduced.
In order to get rid of toxemia, pregnant women resort to various tricks. The use of acidic foods, according to many women, helps to cope with adverse symptoms. To reduce the manifestations of debilitating nausea and other clinical signs of toxicosis, you can use a few grapefruit slices or a glass of grapefruit juice. Relief of well-being usually comes on the second day after consuming this fruit.
In the second half of pregnancy
There are fragrant fruit is possible not only in early pregnancy. So, drinking grapefruit juice is also useful in the second trimester of pregnancy. This drink contains ingredients that can lower cholesterol.The normalization of this indicator ensures the maintenance of normal elasticity of the blood vessels, which is very important during pregnancy.
The aromatic grapefruit pulp also contains natural vitamin A. This substance is necessary for the placenta to ensure its functions. Insufficient intake of vitamin A from food can lead to quite dangerous consequences. In some cases, such a deficiency can lead to the formation of various pathologies in a baby.
Both in the first and in the second half of pregnancy, the expectant mother may face the problem of frequent respiratory infections. Getting sick with ARVI a pregnant woman can be quite simple. The reason for this is the physiological decrease of immunity in the female body during the period of gestation of the baby. Such a phenomenon is conceived wise nature. If this did not happen, it would be impossible to bear the fruit all nine months.
But each medal has two sides. Physiological reduction of immunity leads to the fact that the risk of respiratory diseases, especially in the cold season, increases many times. It is rather difficult for a pregnant woman to deal with the symptoms of a common cold. The difficulty largely lies in the fact that not all medicines, unfortunately, are adapted for future mothers to receive.
Doctors say that the prevention of such diseases is much better and easier than their treatment. To reduce the risk of developing dangerous infectious pathologies, they recommend that future mothers eat a sufficient amount of food containing ascorbic acid. Natural vitamin C is needed not only for the expectant mother, but also for her baby. All the cells of a small organism need this important component. Ascorbic acid acts as a natural antioxidant that protects the children's body from various diseases.
Natural prevention of colds during pregnancy is the use of various fruits and vegetables, as they contain a lot of natural vitamin C. Grapefruits also belong to such foods that you can eat to maintain normal levels of ascorbic acid in the body. It is worth noting that in order to maintain an optimal level of ascorbic acid, these fruits should not be eaten in large quantities. Even a small dose will bring many benefits to the body.
A woman remains a woman always, even during pregnancy. Every future mother in an “interesting position” still wants to remain beautiful. Various vitamins help to maintain good appearance. One of them is vitamin B5 (pantethenic acid) contained in grapefruits.
This substance in the body turns into active metabolites, which have a strong effect. So, the resulting substances contribute to the normalization of fat and protein metabolism. Also, metabolites of pantethenic acid have a positive effect on the process of converting carbohydrates in the body. It is no coincidence that grapefruits are recommended for women who want to maintain their weight in the normal range.
Scientists have proven that pantethenic acid can affect mucous membranes, promoting their healing. This component also has a beneficial effect on the contractile function of the intestine. Such exposure also helps reduce the likelihood of constipation.
Pantethenic acid can be called "the substance of beauty." This component needs hair, skin and nails. Manufacturers of many well-known cosmetics include pantethenic acid in their creams and lotions. Such tools are used to preserve the youth of the skin, as well as to improve its appearance.
There are grapefruits possible even at the final stage of pregnancy. However, care must be taken. A pair of slices of fruit, cleared of films, an ample dose for the future mother.If, after consuming such fruits, a pregnant woman has a burning sensation in the upper abdomen or severe heartburn, then grapefruit should be discarded.
Many future mothers face the problem of edema on the body. As a rule, the swelling increases as the baby grows in mom’s belly. The uterus, with the baby in it, in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy begins to squeeze the blood vessels of a pregnant woman. Such specific changes in combination with the increasing load on the kidneys and lead to the fact that a pregnant woman begins to appear edema.
In order to reduce pastoznost, you should use a sufficient number of products that have a diuretic effect. Grapefruits also have this effect. Eating even a pair of slices of such fruits helps prevent swelling on the face and body.
In addition, the use of fragrant fruit helps to eliminate all metabolic products from the body. Getting rid of toxic components contributes to the prevention of the development of many pathological conditions in both a pregnant woman and her baby.
During pregnancy, not only addiction to certain products change. Digestive processes in the body of the expectant mother occur in a special way. That is why pregnant women often experience various adverse symptoms.
Improve digestion by using grapefruit juice. Such a fragrant, slightly bitter drink helps prevent the development of "heaviness" in the stomach. To improve digestion, the future mother can not only drink juice, but also eat fruit.
Possible harm
Introduce any fruit in the diet expectant mothers should be very careful. Incorrect administration may cause uncomfortable symptoms in a pregnant woman. When eating grapefruit should also be aware of the quantity. The optimal dose - 2-3 slices of fragrant fruit per day.
Eating grapefruit does not follow women who are allergic to these fruits. Another contraindication is the presence of individual intolerance. Eating fruits in such a situation can be fraught with the development of pathological conditions.
Grapefruit juice contains many substances that have an acidic effect on the body. That is why this drink is not suitable for women suffering from peptic ulcer or hyperacid gastritis. Eating such fruit juice can lead to severe pain in the stomach.
Care should be taken when consuming grapefruit juice and women who have a high sensitivity of tooth enamel. Thus, the use of such a drink can provoke the emergence of severe pain in the teeth and gums. In order to reduce the likelihood of such symptoms after consuming an aromatic beverage, the mouth should be rinsed well with water.
Grapefruits are poorly combined with many drugs. If the expectant mother is forced to take medicine due to the presence of some diseases, then she should always consult with a doctor before including grapefruit in her diet.
See the following video on the benefits and harms of grapefruit.