Can I Eat Olives During Pregnancy?

Olives: The Immunity Boosters

Olives during pregnancy play a crucial role in the development of the fetus. These are the fruits of the olive trees which are scientifically known as Olea Europaea and are mainly found in the Mediterranean regions of Europe and Africa. Olives can be used in various forms in our daily lives, such as olive oil, olive fruit, olive leaf, etc.

Nutritional Value of Olives

Olives are an extraordinary fruit for the reason that they contain loads of vitamins and nutrients:

Basic Facts:

• 75–80% of olive is water
• 10 to 15% of olive is fat
• Ten olives contain about 59 calories
• 4-6% of the olives are carbs, the majority of which is fiber.
• Olives are a significant source of copper, calcium, vitamin E, and iron.
• The sodium level is also high as it comes in brine.
• It is rich in antioxidants like oleuropein, quercetin, etc.

[Read : Copper During Pregnancy]

What Are the Various Types of Olives?

Olives can be classified into various categories, such as:

Kalamata Olives

These are considered the kings of the olive family. These are almond-shaped, deep purple olives that have shiny skin and are usually used in red wine.

Castelvetrano Olives

These are bright green in color and have a buttery, meaty and mild flavor, and are commonly served with white wine.

Cerignola Olives

These are large green olives that originate from the southeastern parts of Italy.

Nyon Olives

Nyon olives originate from the south of France. These olives are jet-black in color and aromatic in flavor.

Gaeta Olives

These are either dry-cured or brine-cured and are purplish brown, small, and tangy in taste.

Manzanilla Olives

Manzanillas are crisp in texture and have almond flavor. These are usually served with alcoholic beverages or as an appetizer.

Are Olives During Pregnancy Safe?

Yes, olives during pregnancy have a proven track of benefits for pregnant women. The oleic acid present in olives is responsible for reducing blood cholesterol levels and protects the baby from asthma and several allergies. They maintain the nutritional content in a woman’s diet and also help in providing vitamins and fatty acids to the unborn child.

Top Advantages of Olives During Pregnancy

A recent study has proved that an olive-rich diet plays a positive role in the nourishment of the baby as well as the mother. Olives during pregnancy time provide all the vital vitamins and minerals to the woman’s body and make her body look healthy, fit, and fine.

1. Act as Antioxidants

Olives are powerful antioxidants that reduce the risks of harmful diseases such as heart disease, blood cancer etc. Besides improving the circulation of blood, it also helps in protecting the stomach from dangerous bacteria and viruses.

2. Improves the Sugar Levels

Olives are a rich source of vitamin E. The oleic acids and polyphenols present in olives help in lowering the chances of type 2 diabetes.

3. Cancer Prevention

Studies have shown that olives mitigate the possibility of breast cancer, which is quite common in post-pregnancy. These have powerful cancer-killing cells that affect the colon, breasts, and stomach.

4. Improves Bone Health

Olives alleviate the risk of fractures and help in increasing bone mass and quality.

Origin of Olive Oil

Olive oil is obtained by crushing olive fruits with a process called maceration.

• Olive oil is a common one used in the cuisine of some countries such as Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Italy.
• This oil, which adds more flavor to your food, and has proven to have many health benefits, makes it popular around the world.
• Olive oil is also used in cosmetics and medicine.

Benefits of Olive Oil During Pregnancy

Olive oil contains a number of nutrients like vitamins and fatty acids that help in hydrating the skin and keeping the mother healthy. There are various merits of using olive oil, such as:

1. Healthy Growth of Child

The intake of olive oil by mothers can be very useful in the unborn child’s cognitive, mental and physical development. Olive oil is enriched with vitamin A that aids in the formation of the eyes of the baby.

2. Reduction in Stretch Marks

Olive oil is responsible for diminishing the marks and mitigating the stretches. Regular application of this natural oil is necessary for getting desirable results.

3. Clear Complexion

Pregnancy can make the skin dull and dry. Therefore, olive oil is best for hydrating the skin pores, removing the dead skin cells and rejuvenating the skin.

4. Protects the Immune System

Olive oil plays a pivotal role in regulating the immune system of the mother and killing the harmful pathogens that can spread infections.

What Are the Side Effects of Olives During Pregnancy?

Following are some possible side-effects of olives during pregnancy:

• Even though rare, olives can trigger allergic reactions.
• Olives may contain a small number of heavy metals like tin and lithium that can potentially affect the healthy progression of pregnancy.
• These fruits contain salt and if you have gestational hypertension, your blood pressure will sky-rocket.
• Olives are full of calories and their excessive consumption contributes to unnecessary weight gain during pregnancy.
• Being an excellent source of fat, green olives can increase your chances of developing inflammation.
• Being high in fat content, green olives may trigger gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea.

Are Canned Olives Safe During Pregnancy

The canned olives have an adequate amount of vital elements and render the same effects as others. One just has to check for its expiry date. Even though safe, if available, pregnant women must ensure that they take only fresh olives for satisfying their pregnancy cravings.

Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Good for Pregnancy

For pregnant women, extra virgin oil has an excellent impact 0n keeping the bad cholesterol in control. Olive oil provides a permanent solution to the problem of arterial thrombosis. It also balances the blood circulation in the heart.

Let’s conclude that It is an undeniable fact that olives during pregnancy promote the healthy development of the mother as well as the baby. Therefore, never hesitate to include it in your pregnancy diet.

[Read : Mushroom During Pregnancy]

FAQ’s

1. Why Do Pregnant Women Crave Olives?

Olives have a distinct taste that could be soothing for some pregnant women. If you are craving the salty variety, your body might be building up on sodium. If your blood pressure is already high in pregnancy, opt for a different variety.

2. Can Eat Olives During Pregnancy Help the Unborn Child?

Yes, it can. Olives are rich in antioxidants. This can protect your unborn child from asthma or allergies, after birth.

3. Can Olives Help With Morning Sickness?

Olives are well-known home remedies for motion sickness. They help to alleviate stomach discomforts too. You can try olives and see if they help with your morning sickness. They are healthy anyways.

4. Does a Craving for Olives During Pregnancy Indicate am Carrying a Boy?

It’s an old wives tale that if you are carrying a boy, you will crave salty/savory foods. Olives can have a salty taste and they are definitely not sweet. Hence people relate this craving to gender.

Read Also: Tomatoes During Pregnancy – Is It Safe To Eat?