Yams During Pregnancy – Benefits And Side Effects

Well, one thing you must always keep in mind is to only consume yams that are fresh and not stored in your refrigerator for a long while as stored food can grow bacteria. Stored food can cause acidity and even food poisoning which is not safe during pregnancy.

Women have cravings for food to a great extent during pregnancy and eating yams is an ultimate option. Why? Because it is healthy and doesn’t cause you extra fat.

However, it would be good if you can cook yams before eating as raw yams can contain starch which can cause your stomach to ache unnecessarily.

Nutrients Present in Yams

Do you know that people often mistake yams with sweet potatoes, but both of these vegetables are entirely different? Yams are filled with nutritional values and we are going to discuss them in this blog post:

1. Energy

During pregnancy, it is likely that expecting mothers will feel low on energy and this is the main reason why mood swings happen. Eating yams is beneficial during pregnancy as it fulfills your body with energy and that’s how you can stay happy and composed.

2. Dietary Fibre

Pregnant women may likely feel bad due to an upset stomach. Bloating and constipation are the prime reasons for it. Yams are a great source of carbohydrates and hence keep your intestines unclogged.

Another main benefit of eating yams is that it flushes out the toxic compounds from the body ensuring a clean stomach regulating rise in the sugar levels.

3. Vitamin C

Vitamins are always needed in the body so that it functions healthily. Antioxidants present in yams help to heal the wounds if any and also boost the immunity level of both the fetus and the expecting mother. Vitamin C is also a good source to nurture bone health which is extremely important during pregnancy.

4. Vitamin A

Are you aware that intake of vitamin A is essential to maintain oral health? Well, if not, then know it now. Yams have natural ingredients present in them and one of them is vitamin A. It not just helps in oral growth but also helps the unborn baby from any kind of lung disease.

[Read : Is Cassava Roots (Tapioca) Safe During Pregnancy?]

Health Benefits of Eating Yams During Pregnancy

The growth of the fetus entirely depends upon how you take things. So, it is highly recommended to follow the diet pattern exactly the way your doctor recommended. Now let’s discuss some health benefits of eating yams for pregnant women:

1. Help You to Get Rid of Morning Sickness

Pregnant women usually feel lethargic during the daytime and that is the reason why women feel sick. As yams are enriched with a high amount of vitamin B6, it helps to control the feeling of vomiting. Hence, this is the main health benefit of yams for pregnant women.

2. Yams Prevent the Problem of Underweight Births

Sometimes, due to a lack of proper nutrients and vitamins, babies are born underweight. This is the reason why newborn babies are not healthy and take time to grow. Yams contain vitamin B6 which helps the baby to grow as they get enough nutrients by the intake of yams.

3. Yams are filled with ample antioxidants

There’s a high amount of Vitamin C present in yams and hence this makes yams rich in antioxidants. There are many common illnesses like cough, vomiting, cramps during pregnancy and consuming yams keeps these problems checked.

4. Reduces the Problem of Anemia in a Fetus

Well, problems related to anemia are common during pregnancy and hence pregnant women are more prone to issues related to anemia. One good way to prevent anemia during pregnancy is with the help of consuming yams. How? As it contains zinc, copper, and iron. These are essential supplements when it comes to becoming anemic-free.

[Read : 12 Amazing Benefits Of Ginger During Pregnancy]

Side Effects of Yams During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is not the time to take risks. Therefore, it is important to take all precautions. Yam, though comes with many benefits, also has its own side effects:

1. Can Cause Stone in Kidney

It is highly recommended to consult your doctor before consuming yams as it is a tuber vegetable and hence can cause stones in the kidney.

2. Yams Can Lead to Gastric Problems

Well, gastric problems such as nausea, vomiting, constipation can be triggered with yams, and hence consuming yams can be risky if you are suffering from stomach issues.

[Read : Eating Turnips During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?]

FAQ’s

1. Do Yams Make You Gain Weight?

Yams are a high-calorie content, so yes they make you gain weight. Normally, yams are considered to be a health supplement to be consumed during pregnancy due to the excessive nutrients present in them.

2. How to Store and Eat Yams?

An ideal way of keeping yams healthy for a long time is by storing them in the refrigerator. By refrigerator, we don’t mean freezer. One useful tip here is that if you store cooked yams in the refrigerator, it will increase their longevity. Raw yams must not be stored as it gets spoiled faster.

3. Does Yam Increase Estrogen?

No, yams don’t increase estrogen.

4. Does Yam Increase Blood Sugar During Pregnancy?

Yams are of course a great supplement for a pregnant lady as it is high on fibers and essential vitamins. However, yams don’t cause an increase in blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

Expecting mothers usually seem hungry as during this time there are certain reasons which influence the hormone level of women. Consuming yams during pregnancy is an ideal option, as discussed above. As it is rich in vitamins and minerals, it helps you to have a healthy pregnancy and hence promotes your fetus’s growth. It is always okay to include yams in your diet during pregnancy.

Read Also : How Safe Are Eggplants During Pregnancy?