Sauerkraut during pregnancy: what is useful and how to use it?

The taste preferences of a pregnant woman while carrying a baby are constantly changing.Moreover, the expectant mother sometimes has an irresistible craving for certain foods, which she did not particularly care about before the pregnancy. This article will help you to understand whether it is possible to eat sauerkraut cabbage for pregnant women, and also how to do it in order not to harm yourself and your baby.

Sauerkraut is a unique product, as the benefits to the human body of its use are enormous. It is no coincidence that in Rus, every hostess had her own secrets for making this delicious vegetable snack. Eat sauerkraut can be and during pregnancy. However, it should be aware of some features of the use of pickled vegetables, to prevent the development of adverse effects for the fetus, and for the very future mother.

Many future mothers in the first trimester of pregnancy face the problem of toxemia. This unpleasant condition brings a pregnant woman sometimes quite strong discomfort.

The most characteristic symptom of this pathological condition is nausea. Such an adverse symptom appears most often in the morning. However, some pregnant women may experience nausea in the first half of the pregnancy and throughout the day.

This symptom can usually be expressed in different ways. If it is expressed quite strongly, then this contributes to the fact that the expectant mother may have vomiting. Usually it appears in the morning, before breakfast. Strong, debilitating nausea also contributes to a decrease in appetite.

These symptoms of toxicosis, of course, can spoil the perception of pregnancy in any woman. In order to cope with such adverse manifestations, expectant mothers are forced to resort to various tricks. It was at this time that special taste preferences usually appear, which, as a rule, do not arise before pregnancy.

In order to reduce the adverse effects of toxemia, doctors usually prescribe pregnant women to take certain medications. Taking these medications helps reduce nausea and helps improve the overall well-being of a pregnant woman. However, not all future mothers are good to such treatment. Some women try to do with "home" methods that help reduce the adverse symptoms of toxicosis. One of them is the use of sauerkraut.

Inclusion in the diet of fermented vegetables helps to reduce nausea, and also contributes to the normalization of the digestive process. It is worth noting that eating sauerkraut in large quantities in order to cope with discomfortable manifestations should not be. Portion should be small in volume.

Many pregnant women note that eating sauerkraut also helps with headaches. Usually this symptom appears in the first half of pregnancy, and in some cases it may persist even to the very birth.

Sauerkraut has a rich chemical composition. So, it contains a lot of ascorbic acid, contributing to good body resistance to various diseases, which are caused by various infectious pathogens. If the expectant mother eats sauerkraut during pregnancy, her risk of catching a cold will be noticeably reduced.

In order to improve the general condition, which deteriorates during pregnancy due to toxicosis, you can use not only sauerkraut leaves, but also sour cabbage juice - brine. However, its use should be aware that this fluid contains quite a lot of biologically active substances that can lead to the exacerbation of certain chronic pathologies of the digestive tract. In order to avoid this, before eating fermented vegetables, the expectant mother is better to discuss such an addition to the diet with a doctor.

Eating sour vegetables to expectant mothers is possible not only in the first half of pregnancy. Eating this vegetable snack is possible both in the second and in the third trimesters, however, you should always remember the precautionary measures.

Pickled vegetables not only contain many vitamins and useful trace elements, but also help to improve stool. It is believed that the inclusion in the diet of this vegetable snack helps to cope with the problem of constipation. Usually, many future mothers in the second half of pregnancy face this delicate problem. The use of such a healthy dish contributes to the normalization of the chair, and also improves all digestive processes.

When consuming pickled vegetables, expectant mothers should always remember that in some cases they can harm. Doctors recommend that you always coordinate with them the diet during pregnancy, because uncontrolled intake of certain products can contribute to the deterioration of fetal development, as well as worsen the health of the pregnant woman.

Experts do not recommend to use fermented vegetables to pregnant women who have peptic ulcer, especially occurring with frequent exacerbations. The fact is that in the process of fermentation, certain chemical components accumulate in vegetables, which can lead to an exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal illness.

Also, sauerkraut and pickle should not be used by expectant mothers who have a tendency to develop edema. Severe puffiness is usually manifested due to the fact that excess fluid accumulates in the body. During pregnancy, the kidneys and urinary system experience a great overload, which is why the elimination of urine, respectively, and excess fluid, is usually disturbed.

Edemas, as a rule, are especially pronounced in women who, even before conception, had chronic diseases of the organs of the excretory system. During pregnancy, the risk of exacerbation of these pathologies increases significantly. The use of sauerkraut can just lead to such an aggravation. The fact is that fermented vegetables, as a rule, contain quite a lot of sodium chloride. High salt content contributes to the fact that on the body of a pregnant woman appear swelling, which are visible on the face, arms and legs.

Usually, doctors determine the accumulation of excess fluid in the future mother’s body during systematic weighing.

Future vegetables for future mothers can be eaten in different ways. This vegetable snack can be used as a separate dish, without adding additional ingredients, but in this case it is important to remember that eating it in large quantities is not worth it, as this may lead to indigestion. Too sour sauerkraut must be thoroughly rinsed with water before use.

Also, fermented vegetables can be used as a side dish or in the preparation of vegetable salads. To prepare a simple tasty dish you will need:

• boiled potatoes - 2 pcs .;
• sauerkraut - 50 g;
• onions - ½ pcs .;
• sugar to taste;
• vegetable oil - 2 tsp.

Potatoes should be boiled and cut into medium cubes. Onions should also be chopped and mixed with potatoes. If the onion tastes too bitter, then it should be scalded with boiling water before adding to the salad. Next, in the salad you need to put the cabbage and add a little sugar.For filling this dish is best suited vegetable oil.

Such a fragrant salad is well suited for lunch. It can also be used as a side dish for meat or fish dishes. If desired, a salad with sauerkraut can be decorated with a sprig of fresh herbs.

Expectant mothers who do not really like sauerkraut in their usual form can be advised to put it out. Braised cabbage is an excellent garnish for various chicken and meat dishes. Temperature processing contributes to the fact that fermented vegetables are easier to digest.

Also sauerkraut can be used to make delicious soups. It can be added to the soup and other first hot dishes. Usually, soups boiled with the addition of fermented cabbage have a unique flavor and sour taste, which many pregnant women like. Such a hot meal also helps to cope with morning nausea, which often appears in the first half of pregnancy.

Braised fermented cabbage is an excellent filling for pies. Many pregnant women want to enjoy baking during pregnancy. Patties with stewed cabbage - a good option to please yourself while carrying a baby.

See the following video for the benefit and harm of sauerkraut during pregnancy.