Can pregnant women eat plums?

Plum is one of the fruits that appear popular in the summer and are divided into two types: Northern plums and Southern plums.

– Northern plum: Usually grown in some Northwest provinces such as Lang Son, Moc Chau, Son La, Lao Cai… succulent, mild sweet and sour taste, crispy.

– Southern plum: The North often calls this fruit roi, sweet and slightly sour, is a fruit present in both the North and the South.

Is it okay for pregnant women to eat plums? (Illustration)

Can pregnant women eat plums?

According to nutritionists, similar to other fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, lychee… plum is a fruit with many minerals, vitamins A, PP, B, C, and fiber good for the health of the fetus. . However, pregnant women need to eat in moderation.

The composition of plums contains a lot of vitamin A, which helps to provide a large amount of useful carotenoids for pregnant women. In addition, iron, calories and fat … in plums also have the effect of detoxifying the body effectively.

Thus, to the question of whether pregnant women can eat plums, the answer for pregnant women is that they can eat plums. However, it is necessary to eat plums in moderation, do not eat too much. Every day, pregnant women should only eat a maximum of about 5-10 fruits, equivalent to about 100g/day.

In addition, it is recommended to choose plums with powdery outer skin, medium ripeness, fresh, skin without needle marks, not too soft or too sour. Pregnant women can eat the whole fruit or use plums to squeeze the juice.

Note, before eating, it is necessary to soak in salt, no need to peel because antioxidants are usually concentrated mainly in the skin of plums. Do not eat plums too much because it can cause internal heat and affect the digestive system and skin. Pregnant women should avoid eating plums that are too green, too acrid, and crushed.

Can pregnant women eat Northern plums?

Northern plums, also known as Hau plums, Hanoi plums are fully ripe in May – July every year. Plums bring many different health benefits such as:

Improve immunity

Eating plums regularly during pregnancy can prevent such diseases as they are rich in Vitamin C.

Effective support in the management of gestational diabetes

Prunes during pregnancy can be an excellent choice in managing gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a very common health complication during pregnancy. Foods with a low glycemic index are very good for such women.

Pregnant women eating plums bring many health benefits. (Illustration)

Helps regulate blood pressure

High blood pressure during pregnancy is very common and can lead to preeclampsia. Eating plums during pregnancy can help regulate blood pressure, as they are rich in potassium.

Power supply

Plums during pregnancy can be a great source of energy for you. As a pregnant woman, you will need more energy than usual, and eating prunes along with your regular diet can fulfill this requirement.

Weight control during pregnancy

Weight gain during pregnancy can be a worrying situation when it happens so quickly. People often feel hungry during pregnancy. At such times, snacking on fresh plums or plums not only helps the mother to fill her stomach but also can supplement nutrition.

Helps prevent hemorrhoids and constipation during pregnancy

Hemorrhoids are a common problem that many expecting women face. Eating plums regularly during pregnancy can prevent this unpleasant condition and help the digestive tract work smoothly.

Helps prevent preterm labor

Plums are rich in magnesium, which relaxes the muscles. Eating plums during pregnancy helps the cervical muscles to relax, thus helping to keep early labor going quickly.

Good for eyesight

Supplement with plums during pregnancy and may even reduce your risk of developing degenerative retinal disease and vision loss.

Good for the brain

Prunes are rich in antioxidants that can prevent your brain cells from oxidative degradation, by protecting the lipid composition. Prunes can help with the “pregnancy brain” and also add a healthy brain to the fetus.

Joint support

Eating plums during pregnancy can be a good source of calcium, Vitamins K and D. Vitamin A is also a major component in plums that help promote bone growth and development. Even plums have potassium and phosphorus. All these factors help maintain the mother’s bone density and the fetal skeletal development.

Helps absorb iron better

Maintaining a good iron intake is very important during pregnancy. Pregnant women can develop anemia, which can lead to many complications during pregnancy. Eating prunes during pregnancy can help your body absorb more iron from all foods and thus keep your hemoglobin levels stable.

Plums help support better iron absorption. (Illustration)

Helps prevent blood clots

Your blood tends to clot quickly during pregnancy. This is a way for the body to limit blood loss during labor and delivery. However, the formation of blood clots during pregnancy can cause some problems.

Supplementing with plums during pregnancy can increase the level of Vitamin K in your blood, which is known to prevent blood clotting. Do not worried; Eating prunes won’t stop your blood from clotting when you’re about to give birth.

High fiber content

Regular consumption of plums during pregnancy can not only add nutritional value to the mother’s health, but also increase fiber intake. The fiber content in this fruit can satiate your hunger for longer and help you have easier bowel movements.

Can pregnant women eat Southern plums?

Southern plum, also known as whip fruit, this fruit is easy to find and also brings many different benefits for pregnant women such as:

Preventing premature birth

There are many factors that can cause premature birth but eating prunes regularly can help women prevent premature birth. That’s because plums contain magnesium in relatively high amounts. Magnesium has an important role in relaxing muscles, which in turn can prevent premature contraction.

Optimize iron absorption

Iron is one of the prominent minerals that mothers should consume during pregnancy. Iron is necessary for the production of red blood cells, and red blood cells are important for the development of the fetus. Without enough red blood cells, the risk of a baby being born with a birth defect increases. Prunes contain a relatively high amount of vitamin C that will help optimize iron absorption.

Helps prevent constipation

During pregnancy, the intestines work slower because having a baby in the belly takes up more space in the stomach, so sometimes it is difficult to avoid constipation because of irregular bowel movements. However, plums are rich in fiber, which will help you get rid of constipation naturally because fiber will support the normal movement inside the digestive tract.

Southern plum is also known as whip fruit, bringing many good uses for pregnant women. (Illustration)

Solution to reduce fatigue and stress

Sometimes it’s hard to avoid stress during pregnancy that can lead to fatigue. There are many factors that can cause stress during pregnancy, including hormone imbalances. What you need are foods that can make you happy and since prunes contain potassium and antioxidants that can give you an energy boost, instead of feeling stressed, you’ll feel energized.

Helps prevent gestational diabetes

In addition to premature birth, one of the fears that pregnant women face is gestational diabetes. However, plums are one of the fruits that are recommended for daily consumption for the benefit of preventing gestational diabetes. That’s because prunes are relatively low in calories with a low glycemic index.

Effectively control blood pressure

Did you know that during pregnancy, a spike in blood pressure is not only fatal for the mother but also for the baby? That’s why, keeping yourself under control of your blood pressure is so important. Supplementing with foods rich in potassium is one of the ways to control blood pressure, and fortunately, prunes are an excellent source of potassium with a lower amount of sodium.

Good for bones

During pregnancy, the calcium you consume is necessary not only for the growth of your baby, but also for keeping the mother healthy. If the amount of calcium in the body is not enough, the need for calcium for the development of the fetus will be taken from the calcium reserves in the mother’s bones. You certainly don’t want that to happen and consuming calcium-rich plums can help you ensure that.

Natural immune booster

Due to being rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, plums are certainly good for boosting immunity. During pregnancy, the common cold and fever can be fatal to the fetus, so you must do your best not to get sick during pregnancy.

Plums support the natural immune system in pregnant women. (Illustration)

Side effects of plums during pregnancy

There are some side effects of eating plums during pregnancy such as:

– Low in calories – Prunes are low in calories so they are good for controlling weight gain and diabetes. However, calories are important for metabolism. A person must consume 1800Kcal in 1st trimester, 2200Kcal in 2nd trimester and 2400Kcal in 3rd trimester.

– Prunes can worsen kidney problems – If you don’t have kidney problems, there is probably no need to worry. However, if you have kidney problems then be cautious as prunes contain oxalates which can be aggravated by the formation of kidney stones.

– Hot in – Eating too many plums can generate heat, cause internal heat and affect the digestive system, causing the mother to develop acne. Apricots contain a moderate amount of sugar, but if eaten in excess, it can increase sugar absorption, increase heat, and increase discomfort in pregnant women.

Plums are a nutritious fruit and you can include them in your pregnancy diet if you don’t have kidney problems or any other health complications. However, it is best to consult a doctor or nutritionist before including plums in your diet. Wishing you a healthy and safe pregnancy!