Pregnancy is an excellent and very exciting time in a woman’s life. It is transformative time that comes along with joy and anticipation. In this period of time, women are very curious about their health and concern about diet and health. One common question that you will rise between the pregnant women is whether we eat pickles during pregnancy. In this blog, we will explore the benefits and risks of consuming pickles during pregnancy. We provide a comprehensive guide to inform you about the dietary choice.
What are pickles
Pickles are actually the cucumbers that have been preserved in a brine solution. Pickles contain water, vinegar, salt and various spices in it. There are various forms of pickles including dill, sweet, and sour. Pickles are the favorite food of many people for their tangy taste and crunchy texture.
Nutritional values of pickles
Pickles offer several nutritional benefits during pregnancy. Here we will discuss the main benefits of pickles during pregnancy.
Low in calories: Pickles are usually low in calories and hence a good snack option. If your weight is increased during pregnancy then pickles are the right option for you. You can consume pickles as a healthy snack for weight loss during pregnancy.
Vitamins and minerals: Pickles contains small amount of vitamins and minerals in them which is very good for pregnant women. There are several vitamins in pickles like vitamin C and K. Vitamin C and K is used for boosting the immune system and blood clotting respectively.
Antioxidants: Pickles contains antioxidants, which has the ability to protect your cells from damage.
Benefits of eating pickles during pregnancy
Pickles are very great in pregnancy. They play a very important role during pregnancy and also satisfy the cravings that usually occurs during pregnancy. Here we will discuss the main benefits of eating pickles during pregnancy.
Helps with nausea: Many pregnant women’s experience nausea during their pregnancy. It usually includes morning sickness, especially during the first trimester. The sour and great taste of pickles can helps alleviate nausea and makes you feel better.
Hydration: Pickles usually contain a high amount of water which has the ability to fulfil the requirement of water according to daily needs. Staying hydrated in crucial during pregnancy and it has certain health benefits. Water helps us a lot in pregnancy to increase the blood volume fluid.
Craving satisfaction: Craving for some salty and sour things is natural during pregnancy. It is very common for pregnant women to have craving. Pickles are a common thing and a popular choice. Satisfying craving during pregnancy can provide comfort and happiness.
Gut health: Pickles are very beneficial to gut health. They have the ability to promote a good gut health. A healthy gut can be very helpful in digestion and improve overall health during pregnancy.
Risk of eating pickles during pregnancy
While pickles are a healthy snack to eat in pregnancy but they have various risk factors. There are several risk factors of pickles during pregnancy. You must be aware of them
High sodium Content: Pickles contains a high quantity of sodium in it. When a pregnant woman take excessive sodium then it blood pressure can be high. It is very essential for you to take pickles in moderate quantity to avoid these issues.
Acidity and heart burn: Pickles have acidic nature which can cause acidity or also become the main cause of heartburn. If you want to prone the heart burn then you must lower the limit of pickles you consume.
Quality and safety: It is very important that the pickles consumed by a pregnant woman must be stored in a safe place. Home-made pickles have the less risk of contamination, so must try to use homemade pickles.
Pickles during pregnancy are a good choice but you must consume them in less amount to avoid the issues that are mostly done by increasing the quantity of pickles during pregnancy.
How to include pickles during pregnancy in your diet
If you are also the one who enjoys eating pickle then you must know how to add them to your diet. Here we discuss how you add pickles to your diet during pregnancy.
Moderation is the key: You must enjoy pickle in moderate quantity to avoid excessive intake which are not good for the health of a pregnant woman. A few slices or a small pickle can be satisfying snack without overdoing it.
Pair with other foods: Must try to combine pickles with other foods to create a balanced snack.
For example: You may take pickle with some other vegetable or with whole-grain crackers, or cheese.
Choose the low sodium option: Always try to use those pickle during pregnancy which have a low amount of salt in it. Make your own pickles at your own home and control the amount of salt used.
Stay hydrated: If you drink plenty of water throughout the day then it helps you a lot to balance the sodium intake during pregnancy and maintain proper hydration.
Listen to your body: Give attention to your body. Listen what your body says to you. If you experience any discomfort such as heart burn, or swelling, must reduce the amount of pickles you taken.
Homemade pickles a healthy alternative
Homemade pickles are very good and best option during pregnancy. Must try to make your own pickles at home. By doing so you can control the amount of ingredients according to your own preference and choice. You must avoid high sodium level in your pickles. Here we will discuss a simple recipe for you to make pickles at home.
Ingredients
- 4-5 small cucumbers
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (completely optional)
- You may add other things like fresh dill, peppercorns, and mustard seeds if you want because these all things are completely optional.
Instructions
- Firstly, you must waste the cucumbers thoroughly to avoid any kind of danger then cut them into slices as you want.
- Add water, vinegar, salt and sugar in a saucepan. After boiling, let it cool to room temperature.
- Then add this mixture in a clean jar. Here you may add other optional things if you like.
- Pack the cucumber slices into a jar.
- Steal the jar with a lid for at least 24 hours.
- Your pickles are ready. Now, you can enjoy it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pickles are a very healthy and satisfying snack during pregnancy. You enjoy pickles during pregnancy. Pickles during pregnancy offered several benefits to pregnant women.
Pregnant women must try to make their own pickles at home to avoid any unnecessary additives.
You must try to avoid pickles with a high quantity of sodium because pickles with high sodium quantity are not good for the health of a pregnant woman.
Good information provided by a lot of research.