Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds when breastfeeding: the benefits and harm, recommendations for use

The high nutritional value of the seeds of plants is due to the content of all the raw materials that are required for the highest representatives of the flora for full growth and development. Many nutritionists call vegetable germs a living meal. And not in vain, because in the process of growing seeds, terrestrial green organisms spend a huge amount of resources, filling each seed with vitamins, minerals, proteins, essential oils and enzymes in an inactive state.

The list of the most useful, nourishing and highly nutritious seeds includes pumpkin seeds. It is not surprising that pediatricians advise women in position and breastfeeding moms to introduce pumpkin dishes into their diet and use the seeds of one of the most popular melons in our latitudes. Let us find out what the benefits of these amazing products of nature are expressed and how to use them properly during the breastfeeding period in order to avoid harm to the health of the newborn.

It is impossible to overestimate the benefits of the presence of pumpkin in our daily menu. This vegetable culture is a rich natural vitamin-mineral complex with a unique combination of useful elements.

• Different types of the most valuable natural antioxidants, and in high concentrations. Vegetable pulp, like seeds, contains large amounts of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, zinc, selenium, manganese and pectin. Therefore, their regular use contributes to the strengthening of immunity and increases the body's resistance to pathogenic viruses and bacteria.
• Carotene. The pulp has a characteristic orange color, which indicates a high content of provitamin A. in it. Therefore, pumpkin can compete with carrots - the recognized leader among vegetables in the content of fat-soluble beta-carotene vitamin. This substance is a powerful antioxidant and acts as an interceptor and liquidator of free radicals, preventing the early aging of cells and tissues of the body. It is thanks to provitamin A that skin, hair, nails and teeth acquire the ability to stay healthy and beautiful for a long time.

• Lutein. The lack of a natural organic pigment with an antioxidant effect causes weak eyesight, degeneration of the photosensitive eye shell, night blindness, lens opacities and many other eye problems. The human body is not able to produce it, and the only way to get lutein is through food.
• Phytomenadione. The presence of vitamin K1 in the body ensures normal blood coagulation and the functioning of the organs of the urinary system. Phytomenadione is an active participant in metabolic processes in the organs of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues.
• Carnitine Increased need for vitamin T is experiencing the body of people with excess weight. With the systematic intake of this substance in the body improves metabolism, and fats begin to split in an accelerated mode. Vitamin T effectively fights against blood clots and removes excess cholesterol from the body.
• Pectins. Polysaccharides perform in the body the function of orderlies, possessing a unique ability to absorb toxins, but without harm to the intestinal microflora. Like carnitine, they contribute to the elimination of unnecessary cholesterol.

For a long time, it was believed that the menu during lactation should be limited to the maximum. Nursing mothers had to give up almost everything, while saying “no” to foods high in nutrients.Thus, women deprived their bodies, weakened by childbirth, of valuable sources of vital substances that could facilitate the process of restoring systems and organs that were under tremendous pressure when carrying a baby.

Today, pediatricians and dietitians are no longer so categorical in matters of nutrition during breastfeeding. In their recommendations there are no strict prohibitions regarding the use of any products, except for those that clearly can provoke allergies and harm the baby. So pumpkin seeds no longer fall into the category of unwanted products with HB. Moreover, they began to be recommended for consumption during lactation in order to quickly and safely replenish stocks of polyunsaturated fats, vitamins, micro- and macronutrients.

Pumpkin seeds do an excellent job because of their composition, in which you can find many useful and important elements.

• Proteins. One hundred grams of the product can provide 55% of the daily protein intake.
• Vitamins of group B. Pumpkin seeds can become a useful and tasty alternative to synthetic vitamin complexes. They are able to meet the needs of the body in any vitamin B: pyridoxine, thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic, folic and pantothenic acids.
• Magnesium. Its content in pumpkin seeds is much higher than that of any vegetable or fruit. This is the main participant in the processes aimed at the production of energy, so it is fundamentally important for the full activity of the body. Magnesium is directly related to the production of enzymes and is responsible for the work of the myocardium (muscle tissue of the heart), the organs of the gastrointestinal tract and the active growth of bones.
• Iron. The content of this trace element pumpkin seeds are also the absolute champion among vegetable and fruit and berry crops. It participates in oxidative processes and is responsible for the respiratory function, ensuring the supply of oxygen to tissues and cells.
• Manganese. He is involved in the process of metabolism, is responsible for the normal functioning of the female paired sexual glands, bone formation and cartilage.

• Zinc. In the list of vegetables and fruits rich in zinc, pumpkin seeds occupy the second line. Despite the fact that women need this microelement six times less than men, its lack of a negative impact on health. Mainly zinc has a positive effect on the immune system, activating the protective functions of the body. Infants gain weight well when they get zinc with mom's milk.
• Niacin. Vitamin PP plays an important role in redox reactions. He is not afraid of powerful UV radiation, high temperature and aggressive alkaline environment. Vitamin B3 neutralizes pathogenic microorganisms with the speed and strength of impact, which only ascorbic acid demonstrates.
• Amino acids. Seeds contain 16 amino acids, exactly half of which are irreplaceable, and the rest - irreplaceable. Among products of plant origin, they are in the top three, containing a record number of amino acids. Separately, you need to say about cucurbitin - an amino acid that has antitumor properties and effectively fights parasites, causing paralysis of the nervous system of worms, as a result of which tapeworms die. Also noteworthy is L-tryptophan, which acts as a mood regulator.
• Potassium, calcium, copper, fiber, vitamins E and B4 - All these elements are important for the health of the body in large quantities.

Pumpkin juice, saturated with active trace elements extremely undesirable for diagnoses:

• peptic ulcer disease;
• acute gastritis;
• diabetes in the advanced stage;
• chronic diarrhea;
• serious pathology of the reproductive and urinary systems.

The most common adverse reactions include:

• gastric dyspepsia due to excessive consumption of seeds containing large amounts of oils;
• violation of water-salt metabolism, due to the fact that the seeds are quite strong natural diuretic;
• a significant decrease in blood insulin levels;
• exacerbation of arterial hypotension;
• allergy, manifested by redness of the skin, headaches, coughing, difficulty breathing, pain in the eyes and tearing, runny nose.

The first month after delivery is not the best time to include pumpkin and juice dishes on the mother’s breastfeeding menu. The reason is simple: this vegetable is saturated with beta-carotene, especially when it comes to hybrid varieties with an intense orange-colored skin. Of course, provitamin A is useful, but its excess in the milk of a newly born woman can harm a baby. Neonatal jaundice is a condition that occurs in 65–70% of infants in the first weeks of life. You can determine it by a number of signs:

• yellowness of the skin and oral mucosa;
• weak expression of sucking reflex during HB;
• sleep disorder characterized by increased drowsiness.

During this period, the diet of a nursing woman should not be products that stimulate the body to produce bilirubin in large quantities. The list of such products includes carrot-rich pumpkin. Conclusion: in order to avoid problems with the health of the child, it is reasonable to introduce pumpkin dishes into the diet of the nursing mother at the end of the neonatal period, that is, 28 days from the moment of delivery.

To make sure that the baby is not allergic and to avoid possible stomach disorders, it is enough for the mother to eat 3-5 seeds for the first time. Alarms - a change in the consistency, color or frequency of the child’s stool. As a rule, side effects occur within 2–3 days. If negative reactions are not observed, then the rate of seeds can be doubled, gradually increasing it to 80 grams. This amount of product is the permissible daily dose when breastfeeding. However, it is desirable not to use it at once, but to divide it into small portions and to eat in several receptions during the day: at breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

The frequency of consumption of pumpkin seeds should not exceed 2-3 times in 1-1.5 weeks. When side effects occur in infants, their introduction into the diet is postponed for 1-2 months, after which the attempt can be repeated by following the same pattern. It should be borne in mind that it is the use of raw seeds in dried form guarantees the manifestation of all the positive properties of this product. Of course, the roasted taste qualities are much brighter, but they do not have such healing power as raw ones. Pumpkin fresh with a rich taste is best made from brightly colored fruits that are rich in nutrients. Drink to consume a maximum of 30 minutes, while it retains its valuable qualities. The permissible daily intake is 100 ml.To check the reaction of the baby to a new product, 50 ml is enough.

Pumpkin can be combined with various types of plant or animal food, and thus daily indulge yourself with various, tasty and healthy dishes.

Internal content is removed from the vegetable and cut into small slices with skin. Grease the baking dish with butter and spread the sliced ​​pumpkin so that the skin is on the bottom. Place in the oven and bake until a crust forms.

In another embodiment, the form is filled with pumpkin and apple slices in combination with raisins. Melt honey to a liquid consistency and pour the fruit and vegetable mixture. Bake until crusted.

Pumpkin is boiled, cut into pieces and crushed them to the consistency of mashed potatoes. Add a little salt, sugar and a piece of butter. Soup goes well with sour cream and herbs.

Pumpkin cereals help improve lactation. Prepare them in milk or water from any cereal (corn, rice, wheat). The croup is washed and soaked. The fruit is peeled, removed from the inside and cut into slices. Cook in a small amount of water and chop up with a blender to make a homogeneous mass. Mix it with preheated milk and put on the stove. When the mixture boils, add a free flowing ingredient and some sugar. Cover the pan with a lid, expose a weak fire and leave to cook until tender.

A small pumpkin is peeled and removed from the inside. Cut the pulp and a couple of pods of Bulgarian pepper, chop 2 cloves of garlic and a bunch of any greens. Half of the vegetable mixture is laid out on a baking sheet, greased with butter, spread on top of the sliced ​​lean beef (0.5 kg), and then the remaining half of vegetables. Salt, pepper, cover with foil and put for an hour in the oven, heated to 190–200 ° C.

Cooked meat broth. A pound of pulp is cut into pieces and set to boil. For cooking dill sauce, vinegar should be mixed with water in a ratio of 1: 1, chop the bunch of dill and add the greens to the sauce. For light passaging, flour (3 tsp.) With margarine (40 g) is used. Passing is mixed with broth and sour cream to make the mixture a thick consistency. Add the dill sauce, put on the fire and bring to a boil. It remains to add lemon juice to the finished sauce and lower the pieces of boiled pumpkin.

To learn how to cook a baked pumpkin, see the next video.