When you’re pregnant, you are advised to eat healthy and better, obviously because you need it and also because of the nourishment that you need to pass on to the fetus. At the same time, you need to be cautious to choose what you eat; you need to understand what is right for you and your child and what has to be avoided. So, read up as much as you can, ask experts and always confirm with the doctor before you decide to include anything in your diet that you’re not too sure about.

 

• An Apple A Day, Keeps The Doctor Away
• Benefits Of Eating Apples During Pregnancy
• Are Green Apples As Good As Red Apples?

An Apple A Day, Keeps The Doctor Away

We’ve always grown up thinking that apples are power fruits and must be consumed often, if not regularly. Remember the age old adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’? This holds good even to this day. Apples are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins B (complex) and C, and dietary fibre. Hence there is no reason to doubt that a daily intake of apples in recommended amount has numerous benefits. But is it a permitted item in a pregnant woman’s diet as well? Let’s take a look to see the health benefits accrued from this easily available, yet powerful fruit.

Benefits Of Eating Apples During Pregnancy

Research shows that consuming apple during pregnancy reduces the risk of children developing asthma/wheezing later in life. To know details of the research conducted to prove this, read here.

1. Prevents anemia: Most pregnant women run the risk of getting anemic
   as months pass. This in turn could be a cause for pre-term labor or low birth weight of the fetus. To ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, remember to include apples so that they can keep the iron content in check while you take care of other things
2. Cleanses and detoxifies: While you consume different kinds of foods during pregnancy for nourishment, it is also important to understand that you also need to include foods that detoxify and cleanse your body off excess lead and mercury, if necessary. To be on the safer side, it is advisable to include apples because they are known to promote digestion and aid detoxification. This also ensures better metabolism and reduces intestinal disorders
3. Builds immunity: Rich in Vitamin C, apples are natural foods that build immunity for the mother and her child. So, keeping long term benefits, take a bite of this crunchy food every day
4. Energy powerhouse: The good thing about apple is that while it is high in carbohydrates, it is low on calories. Therefore, you can have it at those times when you are looking for quick energy without worrying about putting on weight. Read more on eating energy
5. Good for heart: Most pregnant women complain of heartburn due to high blood pressure and acidity. Apples not only helps counter these but promote a healthy heart too
6. Rich in calcium: Doctors always recommend intake of calcium during pregnancy to help the foetus develop strong and healthy bones. Apples are a rich source of calcium and therefore must be taken along with calcium supplements
7. Prevents cancer: Now-a-days, pregnant women are extremely cautious against contracting cancer at any stage during pregnancy. Apples are known to keep cancer at bay and are therefore highly recommended
8. Good for lungs: Some studies also show that antioxidants in apples strengthen your lungs—another reason to have it throughout your term to keep away from breathing related issues. Strong lungs are also known to aid normal delivery

Are Green Apples As Good As Red Apples?

Some might question if green apples can be consumed along with red ones during pregnancy. The answer is, yes. Green apples are beneficial too, though slightly sour in taste. How?

• In case you feel a loss of appetite (though it’s not common among pregnant women), you might want to try green apples to bring that appetite back again
• Like their red counterparts, green apples are also rich in antioxidants and keep cancer away. They also prevent DNA damage due to wear and tear during pregnancy
• Green apples are also known to control high blood pressure and are a rich source of protein, vitamins (A, B and C) and minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium). All these put together prevents body aches, keeps your skin radiant and provides you with the recommended daily dose of energy
• It helps prevent gestational diabetes and excessive bile secretion

With so much from a fruit, it is impossible to avoid apples at any trimester. Easily available, easily digestible and power packed—that sums up the benefits from this wonder fruit. But be careful to not go overboard with this fruit as too much of it means excessive carbohydrates that get digested first. That in turn will prevent your body from burning the fat. Consuming over the recommended amounts can also lead to weight management issues during the later stage of pregnancy.
If consumed regularly in the prescribed amounts, apples along with other recommended fruits and vegetables can make you sail smoothly through each trimester and ensure a safe and healthy delivery.