Is Cashew Fruit Good for a Pregnant Woman
Cashew fruit is a member of the nut family; due to this, much controversy surrounds its consumption.
However, as an expecting mother, including cashews in your pregnancy diet with your doctor’s approval, is safe unless you have a known allergic.
Like everything else, ensure you do not overdo it, as the risks can quickly outweigh the benefits if you do.
Here are some of the benefits of eating cashews during pregnancy:
Benefits of eating cashews during pregnancy
- Allergy Prevention: The chances of your child having an allergy to cashews are significantly reduced due to the exposure therapy in your womb.
It can also aid your baby’s neuropsychological functions and prevent nutrient deficiencies.
- Digestive Health: Constipation is a common issue during pregnancy, and fiber and magnesium in cashews make for regular and more accessible bowel activity, preventing constipation.
Furthermore, magnesium prevents and reduces the occurrence of migraines, headaches, and cramps.
Presence of vitamins and minerals:
Cashews are rich in iron, which can help prevent iron deficiency and anemia by supporting red blood cell production.
They also contain protein, which promotes amino acid production for cell repair, and vitamin K, which aids in blood clotting and helps maintain blood pressure.
Reduced Birth Defect Risks:
Folate, the natural form of folic acid, is predominant in cashews.
Folate is essential for proper fetal development, including the heart, circulatory system, and neural tube. It also contributes to the development of bones and teeth.
While cashews offer numerous benefits, it’s crucial to take some precautions when including them in your pregnancy diet:
– Moderation: Consume cashews in moderation, ideally around an ounce (28g) per serving. Overindulgence may lead to digestive discomfort, high blood pressure, or elevated cholesterol levels.
– Avoid Salted/Spiced Cashews: Plain cashews are the healthiest bet for you as salted/spiced cashews can be high in sodium, potentially leading to hypertension or pre-eclampsia
– Allergies: If you have a known cashew allergy, it’s best to avoid them entirely.
– Kidney or Gall Stones History: If you have a history of kidney or gall stones, limit cashew intake to a few times weekly rather than daily.
Overeating cashews can lead to gallstones, even without a prior history.
Overindulging in cashews can lead to health problems such as:
– Weight gain
– Digestive issues
– Hypertension
– Elevated cholesterol levels
Here are diverse ways to include Cashew in your Pregnancy diet:
As a quick snack to munch on:
- Make or buy some cashew milk for a dairy-free alternative.
- Mix it with dry fruit to make your homemade trail mix.
- Blend to make it into cashew nut butter.
- Add it to your next roasted vegetable sauté.
- Add into desserts for a little bit of sweetness.
- Add to breakfast cereal like oats, cereals, pap.
- Blend Cashew with cinnamon and dates to make into Cashew yoghurt.
