Peach In Pregnancy Benefits & Effects

Pregnancy is a difficult journey, and one of the toughest choices to make during pregnancy is figuring out your diet. During pregnancy, the expecting mother needs to pack her diet with necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals because she is not only eating for herself but also for her growing foetus. This brings us to the question, should a woman eat peach in pregnancy?

Peaches are a powerhouse of fibres, vitamins and minerals. They are not very high in calories and fats, making them an excellent addition to a pregnant woman's diet. Peaches have been known to serve many benefits to pregnant women and their growing babies, and it is recommended that a woman include peaches as part of her diet during her pregnancy journey.

If you are wondering whether you can eat peach in pregnancy, the answer is yes! However, peaches need to be consumed in moderation. Let's find out all about the benefits of consuming peach during pregnancy, their benefits, and their effects. We will also take a look at how pregnant women can include peaches as part of their pregnancy diet.

Is it safe to eat peaches during pregnancy?

Generally speaking, it is safe to eat peach during pregnancy. Peaches contain nutrients like proteins, sugar, zinc and pectin and are considered a healthy addition to one's diet. Peaches also contain vitamin C, which plays an important role when it comes to the absorption of iron and the development of the foetus' bones and teeth, cartilage, muscles, and blood vessels. The consumption of peaches can also help prevent the foetus from developing neural tube defects.

Peach nutritional value

In terms of their nutritional value, peaches are very low in calories. They contain sugar, fibre, protein, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin C in substantial amounts and contain a small number of carbohydrates and fat.

Benefits of peaches during pregnancy

There are abundant health benefits for pregnant women when it comes to consuming peaches during pregnancy.

• Absorption of Iron and Prevention of Anemia: Many pregnant women undergo a deficiency of iron in their bodies during pregnancy. This can lead to anaemia, fatigue, weakness etc. Peaches contain a substantial amount of vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron, thereby reducing the risk of anaemia. Vitamin C found in peaches also helps the foetus develop in terms of its bones, teeth, muscles and cartilage.

• Maintaining Bodily Fluids: During pregnancy, the expecting mother needs to consume a diet which helps her maintain bodily fluids in a balanced manner. Potassium found in peaches assists in doing this. Potassium from peaches is also useful for mitigating swellings, cramps and bloating. Consuming peaches also helps a pregnant woman counter mood swings, and keep anxiety and depression at bay.

• Aids Digestion: Peaches contain an adequate amount of dietary fibres, which are great for regulating a pregnant woman's bowel movements. Consuming peaches helps in aiding digestion and keeping constipation and bloating at bay.

• Prevents Risk of Premature Contractions: Peaches are a source of magnesium which is important for pregnant women to intake. Magnesium disallows a woman's uterus to undergo premature contractions. It also helps in preventing constipation and cramps.

• In addition to the above, peaches are also a source of folic acid, beta-carotene and phosphorous. Peaches are also very useful in helping pregnant women manage their weight.

What amount of peach fruit should a pregnant woman eat?

During a woman's pregnancy journey, she should try to include peaches into her weekly diet. A pregnant woman should consume not more than about 500 gms of peaches or two peaches a day.

Effects of eating peach fruit while pregnancy

While peaches are a beneficial addition to a pregnancy diet, there can be some side effects from their consumption. Since peaches contain sugar, those suffering from issues of high sugar should limit their intake. Peaches may also lead to some bleeding and, if consumed in excess, can raise the body's internal temperature.

How to choose the best peaches?

Wondering how to choose the best peaches? When selecting a peach, it should feel firm in your hand but also slightly soft at the same time. Avoid choosing peaches that are greenish or those that have large bruises or spots on the outer skin.

How to include peaches in your pregnancy diet?

Peaches can be included in a pregnancy diet in many ways; they can be squeezed into juice, made into milkshakes, mixed with other fruits as part of a fruit salad, or even consumed as a breakfast topping with cereals. Make sure to wash them thoroughly before consuming peach in pregnancy.