When you are pregnant and you are tempted by the question: strawberry during pregnancy. You can find lots of useful material on this specific topic, as well as tips, suggestions, experiences, and answers to questions regarding maternity, right nutrition and diet habits.

It is essential to eat healthy during pregnancy. And when we say healthy, one of the common things that comes to mind is fruits. Strawberries are among the most delicious fruits that you may want to eat while pregnant, especially due to their spicy and sweet taste and aroma. But how good are they for pregnant women? How much of this fruit can you include in your diet?

In this MomJunction post, we tell you whether or not it is good to consume strawberries in pregnancy, ways to consume them, and their side effects, if any.

Can pregnant women eat strawberries?

According to the UC Davis Health System, California, strawberries are rich in vitamin C. The nutrients help in the development of the baby and also help him absorb the necessary amounts of iron from food (1). Thats not all. These sweet and sour fruits are a good source of carbohydrates, giving you instant energy (2).

Wash strawberries before eating to remove any contaminants such as toxins or pathogenic microorganisms that may be unsafe for your pregnancy (3). Fresh, clean strawberries are safe during pregnancy as long as you eat them in moderation.

(Read: Benefits of cherries during pregnancy )

Nutritional profile of strawberries

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a small strawberry could be approximately 7 g. And a cup of sliced ​​strawberries could contain 166 g, which could provide 53 kcal, 12.75 g of carbohydrates, 27 mg of calcium, 22 mg of magnesium, 40 mg of phosphorus, 254 mg of potassium, 40 mcg of acid. folic acid and 97.6 mg of vitamin C (4).

With so many essential nutrients, strawberries offer several health benefits for pregnant women.

Benefits of strawberry during pregnancy

Strawberries can help you meet your RDA for various nutrients. Let’s see some of them here:

1. Folic Acid: Studies suggest that 400 mcg of folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects by 50%. Strawberries naturally have this nutrient and help you meet your RDA (recommended daily allowance) (3).

1. Vitamin C: A decrease in the number of red blood cells in your body increases the risk of anemia. Consuming foods such as strawberries, which are rich in vitamin C, help better absorption of iron to form red blood cells (5).

1. Minerals: The vitamin C and mineral content in strawberries can help maintain your immunity, which in turn helps prevent disease (6).

1. Potassium: During pregnancy, the RDA of potassium for a woman is 4700 mg. This nutrient is naturally present in strawberries and can help maintain blood pressure, muscle control, nerve function, and electrolyte regulation (7).

1. Others: Strawberries also contain other vital nutrients such as vitamin B6 and fiber. Although in smaller amounts, consuming the fruits routinely can aid in hormonal regulation, body growth, and indigestion (8) (9).

Like any other food you eat during pregnancy, strawberries should also be eaten in limited quantities. Eating the fruit in excess could be problematic.

What are the possible side effects of strawberries in pregnancy?

Be careful with some things before consuming strawberries during pregnancy.

• If you are allergic to strawberry, you should avoid the fruit as it could be harmful to your pregnancy. Usually, strawberry allergy occurs in people who have an allergy to birch pollen. Reactions include swelling and itching in the throat or mouth (10).

• Strawberries are among the foods that contain high amounts of pesticides. So choose organic strawberries over regular ones (11).

Always remember to wash the fruit before consuming it. If you are taking any medications and are concerned that they will react to strawberries, talk to your doctor about it. With your doctor’s okay, you can enjoy the taste and benefits of strawberries in a number of ways.

(Read: Can you eat raspberries when you are pregnant? )

Ways to include strawberry in the pregnancy diet

In addition to savoring strawberries in their raw form, you can try using them in different recipes.

1. You can make jams, syrups, and jellies with fresh strawberries. They go well with bread, pancakes, and muffins.

1. Dried or fresh strawberries can be added to a bowl of corn flakes and even your fruit salad. They can make the snack tasty and nutritious.

1. You can add chopped strawberries to plain yogurt. If you like walnuts, you can also add crushed walnuts.

1. Making a smoothie is another way to eat strawberries.

Regardless of how you eat them, strawberries can provide the health benefits you expect when eaten fresh. Here’s how to pick and store strawberries for consumption.

Tips for selecting and storing strawberries

Here’s what to look for when picking strawberries at the store.

• The size of the strawberries does not matter. Just look for plump, brightly colored berries.

• The leaves on top of the berries should be green and healthy.

• If you find mold on the berries, do not pick them. These could rot soon.

• Even the shape of the fruit doesn’t matter, as each strawberry’s shape is unique.

• To store strawberries, place them in a container and store in the refrigerator. Remember, strawberries don’t last long, so eat them fresh or as soon as possible.

If you’ve been craving strawberries more than any other fruit lately, there could be a reason. Find out below.

Why do you crave strawberries in pregnancy?

The most common reason behind craving a fruit could be a deficiency in nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, and calcium. So if you crave strawberries, it could be due to a lack of these nutrients in your body (12).

Also, you crave sweets and sour foods when you are pregnant. Maybe that’s one of the reasons you crave strawberries.

Do strawberries induce labor?

Certain foods are believed to induce labor. But there is no evidence to suggest that strawberries can. You can talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

We can say that strawberries are a healthy fruit option if you crave something sweet during pregnancy. This fruit is not only nutritious, but it also pampers your taste buds. But don’t overeat. If you are not a fan of strawberries, you can eat other fruits that provide the same nutrients. The goal is a happy and healthy diet during pregnancy, for which there are many foods to choose from.

(Read: Eating blackberries during pregnancy )

What foods did you crave during pregnancy? Let us know in the comment section below.

References

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