Tapioca During Pregnancy Benefits & Side Effects

Ever heard of tapioca? It is considered to be a staple dietary food across the world. Tapioca comes from the root of the cassava vegetable, from which starch is extracted. Wondering if there are any benefits of consuming tapioca during pregnancy? Doctors, nutritionists, and health experts have varying opinions when it comes to understanding is tapioca good for pregnancy. Some say it is just like any other flour and does not have any specific nutrients that can aid in the baby's overall development, whereas others say tapioca is good for pregnancy.

As a substitute for wheat, rice, or other corn-based flour, tapioca is a good source of fibre and therefore pregnant women like to consume it because it helps in aiding digestion. Wondering if you can take tapioca during pregnancy? Let's find out what kind of healthy dishes can be made using tapioca, and what health benefits it offers, especially to a woman undergoing a pregnancy journey.

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Nutritional value of tapioca

There are a variety of minerals and nutrients in tapioca, albeit in small quantities. These include calcium, magnesium, dietary fibres, folate, manganese, iron, and vitamin B. Nonetheless, there are many theories that these nutrients and minerals are not entirely beneficial to a pregnant woman's body because they are present in very small quantities. High consumption of tapioca is not advised during pregnancy therefore it might be slightly difficult to gain nutrients from the consumption of tapioca during pregnancy.

Is it safe to eat tapioca during pregnancy

According to many studies and research, tapioca doesn't add too many calories to the body!

Tapioca is obtained from the cassava root; fresh cassava root is considered to have nutritional value and is therefore considered beneficial for pregnancy. Nonetheless, the nutritional value is not very high, and therefore tapioca consumption alone cannot suffice the body's nutritional needs, especially during pregnancy. Many people end up cooking tapioca in different ways, which leads to its nutritional value diminishing due to the cooking. There is a high chance that after cooking, tapioca doesn't have too many beneficial nutrients, and therefore isn't of much use to a pregnant woman's body.

The question is tapioca good for pregnancy can be therefore simply answered; since it lacks high nutritional value, it needs to be consumed in high amounts, however, consumption of high quantities of tapioca is not advisable during pregnancy. Tapioca can be eaten in small amounts, now and then by pregnant women, but not every day. Pregnant women need to consume a balanced diet where they can get all the nutritional requirements, instead of only being dependent on tapioca.

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Benefits of tapioca during pregnancy

Tapioca during pregnancy has some health benefits.

• It contains some amount of carbohydrates and therefore is a great supplement to consume at the beginning of the day. The carbs present in tapioca are great for providing the body with an energy boost.

• Eating tapioca is great if your body wants to avoid feeling fatigued, weak or tired.

• As a pregnant woman, if you are experiencing loss of weight or weight deficiencies, then it may be beneficial to consume tapioca. Tapioca during pregnancy can help the body regain lost weight.

• Tapioca contains fibres that are great for aiding the digestive process. Since pregnant women tend to experience constipation and bloating, the consumption of tapioca can help counter this and prevent constipation or bloating.

• Eating tapioca can help pregnant women avoid heartburn, acid reflux, or acidity.

• Tapioca contains Vitamin B complex and folate in addition to carbohydrates. These are required by pregnant women to keep deformities in the foetus at bay.

• Tapioca during pregnancy can be beneficial as it contains starch-resistant properties. These help a pregnant woman maintain the blood sugar levels in her body. Tapioca allows the body to improve sensitivity towards insulin.

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Side effects of tapioca during pregnancy

Tapioca is good for pregnancy, but its overuse can also cause certain side effects in a pregnant woman's body. It's best to be aware of the side effects of tapioca in pregnancy before consuming it -

• While tapioca aids digestion, it also contains certain anti-nutrients that can stop the body from absorbing minerals and nutrients. Tapioca can also lead to rapid weight loss instead of weight gain, even though it contains carbs.

• Tapioca is made from raw cassava roots which have the risk of containing chemicals like cyanide which can cause fatal poisoning in the body.

• Tapioca during pregnancy should be avoided in high quantities because it might lead to unnecessary weight gain, which could lead to ailments like high blood sugar or heart issues.

References

1. Jouanne M, Oddoux S, Noël A, Voisin-Chiret AS. (2021). Nutrient Requirements during Pregnancy and Lactation. Nutrients.

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