Figs During Pregnancy: Benefits And Risks
6 min readWritten by Pradeep
Most of us, during the time of pregnancy, have been advised to eat a lot of dry fruits and fresh fruits. In fact, most of us have even bought a packet of figs from the market. But before we actually go ahead and consume them, it is obvious that we would wish to know from the health advisor whether figs are beneficial for women during the pregnancy period and if figs during pregnancy can cause any harm to the baby.
Figs, commonly known as Anjeer, are the fruits that belong to the mulberry family. This fruit is rich in nutrients and has many health benefits. Read on to know more details about the safety of having it during the pregnancy period, the nutritional values present in it, and the benefits.
In This Article
- Is it Safe to Eat Figs During Pregnancy?
- Nutritional Value of Figs
- What Amount of Figs Can You Consume Per Day During Pregnancy?
- Benefits of Consuming Figs During Pregnancy
- What Are the Side-Effects of Consuming Figs During Pregnancy?
- Is Dried Fig Good During Pregnancy?
- How to Incorporate Figs in Pregnancy Diet?
- Is Fig Juice Good During Pregnancy?
- How to Prepare Fig Juice?
- FAQ’s
Is it Safe to Eat Figs During Pregnancy?
Most pregnant women, even today, continue to worry about knowing if they have been eating something really healthy or not. When it comes to pregnancy, doctors always recommend concentrating on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Figs are rich in Vitamin B1, B2, and A, as well as contain a good amount of minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, and sodium. So, it is healthy to have figs during pregnancy.
Nutritional Value of Figs
The mineral content of figs during pregnancy is relatively higher than any other common fruit or vegetable. Figs are high in natural sugars and soluble fibers. They are rich in minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, copper, and are also an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamin A, E, and K that contribute to health and wellness.
50 grams of fig contains,
- Calories – 37
- Carbohydrates – 9.59 g
- Total sugar – 1.13 g
- Dietary Fiber – 1.45 g
- Protein – 0.38 g
- Fat – 0.15 g
- Potassium – 116 mg
- Pantothenic acid – 0.15 mg
- Vitamin B6 – 0.06 mg
- Manganese – 0.06 mg
- Copper – 0.03 mg
What Amount of Figs Can You Consume Per Day During Pregnancy?
Overconsumption of figs during pregnancy can bring about some unwanted issues during pregnancy. In fact, overeating anything can be dangerous during pregnancy. Eating up to 5 numbers of figs during different times of the day is safe. Moderation ensures that you enjoy the best health and wellness benefits from eating figs.
Benefits of Consuming Figs During Pregnancy
Figs, both dried and fresh, have an extensive history. Figs are packed with nutrients, including fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Find out what figs can do for your pregnancy.
1. Potassium For Controlling Blood Pressure
Figs are a rich source of all the vital nutrients that are vital for a mother-to-be. Figs are rich in potassium which is helpful to curb the problem of high blood pressure. Intake of figs ensures that your heart stays healthy during pregnancy. They also keep the kidneys healthy and minimize the occurrences of any kidney diseases.
2. Fiber-Rich Fruit
Figs are known to have a good amount of fiber that eliminates all the bowel problems of a pregnant woman. Also, it acts as a good laxative and is beneficial to keep obesity under control. Not only this, but it also lowers the risk of any problem related to the heart, and conditions such as diabetes, etc.
3. Natural Remedy For Morning Sickness
Vitamin B6 in Figs is essential to cure morning sickness and improves the levels of amino acids, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, etc. Moreover, B6 also ensures that the nervous system of the fetus develops as per norms
4. Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Dried figs are a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids. It plays a vital part in the optimal development of the fetus. Appropriate intake of Omega 3 is important during pregnancy to reduce the chances of preterm labor and premature delivery.
5. Helps to Prevent Melasma
Melasma, a condition in which brown patches (skin pigmentation) appear on the face, is an annoying issue many expecting mothers face. Figs contain a chemical called Psoralens, which is beneficial in treating many skin pigmentation problems, including melasma during pregnancy.
[Read: Pear During Pregnancy]
What Are the Side-Effects of Consuming Figs During Pregnancy?
Even though figs are highly beneficial, overconsumption of figs during pregnancy can bring about some issues.
- Since figs are high in fibre content, excessive consumption can lead to diarrhea.
- If you are prone to latex allergies or birch allergies, staying away from figs may be a good idea.
- Figs are high in vitamin K. If you are on blood-thinning medications, figs may not be safe for you. Talk to your doctor under such conditions before consuming figs.
Are Dried Figs Good During Pregnancy?
Yes, dried figs are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber and are useful in eliminating the problem of constipation. It is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which play a vital role in fetal development and maternal health.
How to Incorporate Figs in Pregnancy Diet?
Figs are tasty. They are great for both sweet and savory dishes due to their subtle sweetness and seedy texture.
1. Fresh is the Best
It is always more beneficial to eat fresh fruits as it is during pregnancy. The same applies to figs.
2. Dried Figs Are Easy to Carry
You can store some dried figs in your handbag. It is the best option for odd-time cravings.
3. Satisfy Sweet Craving
Are you craving sweets? Well, you can have a healthier option like adding figs to a milkshake or making desserts like halwa or topping an ice cream of your choice.
4. Salad
You can enhance the nutrition level of your salads by adding figs to it.
[Read: Are Apricots Safe During Pregnancy?]
Is Fig Juice Good During Pregnancy?
Yes, figs have high nutritional content and can act as a healthy snack providing plenty of important nutrients during pregnancy. Fig juice is rich in Vitamin C, folic acid, and calcium. Also, it is an excellent source of potassium, which helps in lowering blood pressure and keeping your heart healthy.
How to Prepare Fig Juice?
There are two methods to prepare fig juice:
1. Making Fig Juice in a Blender
Place all the figs in a blender jar along with water. Blend at a high speed for about 3 minutes. After that, take out all the contents from the blender into a sieve to get the juice.
2. Making Fig Juice in a Centrifuge
Start by learning how to use a centrifuge safely.
- After washing the figs and placing them in the blender, start blending them.
- Now transfer the blended mixture to a bag that is cut from the bottom. Now, put it in different centrifuge bottles.
- After this, fill at least two 500mL bottles to balance the weight during the time the rotors are spinning.
- Close the lids properly and place them in the centrifuge rotor to spin for about 1 hour.
- Refrain from removing the centrifuge lid as the figs spin.
Figs are not only delightful to eat but also keep you safe from some serious issues during pregnancy. However, do keep in mind that having too much of anything, be it figs or anything else, can turn out to be detrimental to health, and figs are no exception.
[Read: Is It Safe To Eat Prunes During Pregnancy?]
FAQ’s
1. Can I Eat the Fig Seeds When Pregnant?
Yes, you can. figs are completely edible. You can have the seeds as well as the outer skin.
2. Can I Digest Figs When Pregnant?
Yes, you can. if you are finding it hard, soak them before eating. This can help break down the soluble fiber.
3. Can Figs Lead to Gestational Diabetes?
No, they won’t. Figs have low sugar content. The sugar absorption is also slow, thus keeping sugar levels under control.
4. Are Figs Healthy During Pregnancy?
Yes, they are very healthy. They are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and fiber. They can help prevent malasma and also combat morning sickness.
Read Also: Eating Dates During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?
Pradeep,
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