Cashew Nuts During Pregnancy – Is It Safe To Eat

With a few precautionary measures, you can get the best health benefits while enjoying the taste. For the good health and development of the baby, a pregnant woman needs calcium, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, zinc, fiber, iron, and vitamins. Cashews have all these necessary nutrients. Eat cashew nuts in moderation, and It will be good for you.

Nutritional Benefits of Cashew Nuts During Pregnancy

Nicknamed as “natural vitamin pills,” cashews are high in nutritional benefits and are absolutely safe for you and your baby. Cashews are delicious in taste and are available all over the world. You can find these nuts in most kitchens of South Asia, especially Thai and Indian cuisine. They also are an ingredient in most delicious chocolates and desserts. Given below are some nutritional benefits of cashew nuts during pregnancy

• Cashew nuts have all the important vitamins that are vital for the growth of your baby during the pregnancy phase.
• One ounce of cashews contains 9 grams of carbohydrates, 4.3 grams of protein, and 13 grams of good fat.
• They have excellent antibacterial properties, making them ideal for combating infections.
• Cashew nuts provide you with the much-needed help during this delicate phase.
• The high quantities of fiber present in cashews aid to combat constipation and diarrhea issues that are common in most pregnant women.
• They contain squalene, phytosterols, and tocopherol that are beneficial when you are pregnant.
• Loaded with calcium, cashews aid in the healthy development of your fetus’s bones and teeth.
• Cashews have a positive effect on lipid profile levels, making them ideal for women who are prone to gestational diabetes.
• They help to avert gum and tooth decay issues during pregnancy.
• Also rich in magnesium, cashew nuts help to combat muscle cramps, hypertension, headaches, migraines, soreness, and fatigue.
• Cashews are one of the rare sources of vitamin K, a nutrient that prevents the risk of excessive bleeding during your delivery. One single ounce of cashews comprises around 9.8mcg of vitamin K.
• With their iron content, cashews help avoid anemia, a common complication during your pregnancy phase.
• Cashews also have high quantities of copper that aid the speedy growth of fetal cells.

[Read : Eating Walnuts During Pregnancy]

Side Effects of Cashews During Pregnancy

Eating an excess amount of cashew nuts can lead to health issues such as:

1. Excessive Weight Gain

Cashew nuts contain carbohydrates and fats in high amounts, which can lead to excess weight gain during the pregnancy phase.

2. Cardiovascular Problems

These nuts contain saturated fats too. When eaten in excess, they can increase the levels of cholesterol, leading to cardiovascular problems too.

3. Gallstone and Kidney Stone Problems

Cashew nuts contain oxalate. When you eat excess cashew nuts, the oxalates enter your bloodstream, ultimately leading to gallbladder and kidney stone issues.

[Read : Raisins During Pregnancy]

Precautions to be Taken While Eating Cashew Nuts During Pregnancy

Although cashew nuts are loaded with nutritional benefits, overeating cashew nuts can lead to unwanted adverse effects during this period. You must always exercise moderation when eating cashew nuts, especially when you are pregnant. Here are some side effects of consuming too many cashew nuts during pregnancy:

• Overeating cashews can lead to unwanted weight gain during this period as they are quite high in calories.
• Cashews can have traces of Urush oil that can trigger rashes and itching of the skin. This becomes extremely irritating and can even hamper a good night’s sleep.
• They also contain considerable traces of oxalates that get concentrated in body fluids and can lead to unwanted complications in the pregnancy phase.
• Make sure you do not eat more than an ounce of cashew nuts on a daily basis.
• Steer clear of salted cashew nuts as they have high traces of sodium.
• Too much consumption of cashews can also trigger gallbladder and kidney issues.
• Always go in for organic cashews as they are loaded with extra nutrients and extremely yummy too. Organic cashews are smaller in size and higher in nutrient concentration.
• Last but not least, make sure you get your doctor’s permission before beginning to munch on these nuts, as they are the best person who can tell you whether you can include these nuts in your diet.

[Read : Almonds During Pregnancy]

Some Tips to Add Cashew Nuts to Your Pregnancy Diet

Cashews are, no doubt, a filling snack to binge on when you feel hungry, and there are various ways of eating them:

• The best way is to mix them with other dry fruits, as this provides you with a filling snack rather and helps you avoid eating too many cashews.
• You also get different health benefits when you munch on a medley of nuts.
• You can use cashew butter as a dip or sauce with cut fruits or any healthy snacks of your choice
• Sauté cashew nuts along with your favorite veggies in a pan at the very end when you are ready to take off your dish from the stove.
• Maple syrup along with cashew nut bits is an excellent topping on pancakes, or you can add this to your cereals.
• You can also consume homemade cashew yogurt that is absolutely lip-smacking and extremely yummy too.

Why Should You Choose Organic Cashew Nuts During Pregnancy?

Organic cashew nuts, despite their small size, are high in nutrients. Moreover, they taste better than non-organic ones. They preserve their original flavor. Organic cashews, unlike its non-organic version, are rich in minerals like copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese.

They also have more carbohydrates and vitamins. To top it all, they are cultivated without using any pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides. All these features of organic cashew nuts make them highly beneficial for pregnant women.

Cashew nuts are nature’s treat, and you can enjoy a host of benefits, especially when you consume them in moderation. Pregnancy is one of the most joyful occasions in your life. So go ahead and celebrate it. But do take precautions and care about what you eat or drink. Avoid foods that can be harmful to you and your little bundle of joy during this sensitive phase.

We would love to hear about your experience of eating cashew nuts during pregnancy.

FAQ’s

1. Can Eating Cashews During Pregnancy Cause Weight Gain?

Yes, they can. They are rich in carbohydrates and fats. Eating too many of these regularly can add weight.

2. Are Cashews Healthier Than Other Nuts During Pregnancy?

Cashews are very healthy. However, almonds, walnuts and other nuts are packed with fiber and micronutrients. the quantity you consume makes a difference.

3. Will Eating Cashews During Pregnancy Add Cholesterol?

Yes, it can. It has a lot of saturated fats. Eating too much of cashews can increase cholesterol in your body.

4. Can I be Allergic to Cashews When am Pregnant?

Unfortunately, you can. Many people develop nut allergies. Pregnant women can be very sensitive to many foods.

Read Also : Ice Cream During Pregnancy – Safety And Side Effects