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During the period of gestation, a woman’s need for vitamins and minerals increases, since these components are necessary for the full development of the fetus. Therefore, the diet should be varied, balanced and without fail include fruits. However, is it possible to use oranges for pregnant women, you need to figure it out. After all, citruses belong to the category of products that can cause allergies. But they are also characterized by a rich chemical composition, which eliminates the deficiency of nutrients in the body.
Judging by the reviews, most of all a woman wants an orange at the initial stage of pregnancy.
Why do you crave oranges during pregnancy?
Pregnant women undergo hormonal changes in the body. And against this background, her taste preferences also change. Therefore, many expectant mothers want oranges during the period of gestation, even if they did not really like this fruit before.
Other reasons:
- With toxicosis in the body of the expectant mother, the production of gastric juice, as well as enzymes involved in the digestion process, decreases. Against this background, at an early stage of pregnancy, appetite decreases, there is a feeling of nausea, bouts of vomiting. Therefore, the desire to eat an orange can be caused by a high content of organic acids in it, which normalize metabolic processes and digestion.
- The desire to eat citrus or drink orange juice during pregnancy may be a signal from the body that it is deficient in certain components, such as folic acid and vitamin C.
- In some cases, the desire to eat an orange during pregnancy is caused by a lack of iron, a low level of hemoglobin.
- Organic acids, which are contained in an orange, improve the absorption of calcium. And this component is especially important when the bone tissue of the fetus is formed. This explains the desire to eat an orange during pregnancy in the 1st trimester and beyond.
Benefits of oranges for pregnant women
During the period of gestation, these citrus fruits are eaten, according to doctors, not only possible, but also necessary. This is due to the fact that they contain vital components necessary for the health of a woman and the full development of the baby. After all, the body of a pregnant woman works in an enhanced mode, so the nutrients are consumed at an accelerated pace.
The chemical composition of oranges includes:
- vitamins of group B, A, C, PP;
- a complex of micro and macro elements;
- organic acids and salts;
- gluten
The calorie content of 100 g of fresh citruses is 36 kcal. Therefore, oranges are of great benefit to the body during pregnancy and at the same time do not contribute to weight gain.
Other useful properties of citrus:
- It strengthens the immune system;
- enhances resistance to viruses, bacteria, infections;
- improves blood flow to the fetus;
- relieves heartburn;
- prevents swelling;
- relieves constipation;
- normalizes the work of internal organs and systems, metabolic processes;
- increases the acidity of the stomach;
- reduces the likelihood of placental abruption;
- minimizes the risk of developing pathologies in the baby.
Orange benefits pregnant women only when ripe
Is it possible to eat oranges during pregnancy
This citrus is a source of useful components that are necessary during the period of gestation. After all, the health of the future baby depends on the nutrition of the mother and her emotional state at this time. According to doctors, oranges can be consumed during pregnancy in any trimester, if they are not allergic.
Can oranges be pregnant in the early stages
In the first trimester, when hormonal changes occur in the body, a woman can feel fear, she quickly gets tired, easily irritated. In this case, the smell of orange helps to improve mood, tune in a positive way, and normalize the emotional state.
At an early stage of pregnancy, there are sharp jumps in pressure. But regular consumption of oranges helps to normalize it. This is due to the high content of potassium in fruits.
Also, citrus helps to avoid dehydration, since many women suffer from severe toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy, which is accompanied by vomiting and nausea.
Orange helps to avoid dehydration and makes up for the lack of fluid in the body. Citrus in the first trimester of pregnancy is also necessary for the health of the baby. Indeed, during this period, the neural tube of the fetus is formed, and folic acid is necessary for this. Vitamin A also affects the development of the visual system.
Orange increases the mother’s immunity and protects the fetus from infections
Is it possible to oranges during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester
In the second trimester of pregnancy, there are sharp jumps in the height and weight of the child. Therefore, a balanced diet is required that can satisfy the increased need for vitamins and minerals.
During this period of pregnancy, the baby’s body forms its “reserve” of useful components using the maternal resource. Therefore, often in the second trimester, the expectant mother’s hemoglobin decreases, red meat, fish, pomegranates and oranges help to increase it.
In addition, citrus helps in the second trimester of pregnancy:
- avoid constipation due to high fiber content;
- remove excess fluid from the body;
- improve appetite.
But, starting from the 20th week, it is recommended to temporarily exclude the orange fruit from the diet of the expectant mother. This is due to the fact that at this time the immunity of the child is formed. And citrus can provoke the development of allergies.
Is it possible for pregnant women to have oranges in the 3rd trimester
Orange must be eaten in late pregnancy. After all, a lack of vitamins and minerals can cause congenital pathologies in a baby. However, the closer to childbirth, the more likely the expectant mother is to develop an allergy to citrus. Therefore, it must be consumed in doses and not overeat.
Orange in the third trimester of pregnancy helps:
- improve intestinal motility;
- prevent swelling;
- make up for the lack of useful components.
Can pregnant women drink freshly squeezed orange juice?
Pregnant women can not only eat oranges, but also drink juice based on them. However, it is recommended to prepare the drink yourself at home. Orange juice with pulp is especially useful for pregnant women, because it contains a lot of dietary fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the digestive system.
Drinking a natural drink is recommended in the morning. However, orange juice should be used with caution during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester, since at this time the likelihood of an allergic reaction increases.
If desired, green apples can also be added to the drink.
Rules for eating oranges
There is no clearly defined rule for how much citrus a pregnant woman can eat. But, according to doctors, the optimal daily dosage is 1-2 pcs. This amount is enough to fill the need for vitamins and mineral components, and it is also safe for the health of a woman and a baby.
Orange fresh or juice during pregnancy can be drunk in an amount of 200 ml per day. But before you cook it, you need to thoroughly wash the citruses and peel them. Drinking a drink is recommended in the morning.
There is a belief that if a pregnant woman wants an orange, then a girl will be born.
How to choose
Citruses and freshly squeezed orange juice will only benefit pregnant women when the fruit ripens. Therefore, when buying, you need to pay attention to its appearance. The color of oranges should be uniform, rich orange. Also, the fruit should exude a pleasant citrus aroma. You can also determine the ripeness of the fetus by weight. Ripe oranges are much heavier than green ones.
Why pregnant women shouldn’t eat oranges
Orange for pregnant women can bring not only benefits, but also harm. To exclude this, you must first familiarize yourself with the existing contraindications of this fruit.
Among them:
- food allergy;
- chronic gastritis with high acidity;
- ulcer;
- diabetes;
- pancreatitis;
- cholecystitis.
Recipes
During pregnancy, not only orange juice and fresh fruit are useful, but also dishes based on them. This will significantly diversify the menu of the expectant mother.
Orange jam in the microwave
Such a dessert is prepared very quickly, which allows you to save most of the vitamins and minerals of fresh fruit. Therefore, it will benefit the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus.
Required:
- 2-3 oranges;
- 4 Art. liter. sugar;
- ½ lemon.
Cooking process:
- Wash citruses thoroughly.
- Remove the skin from them.
- Peel the slices from the top shell.
- Place the citrus pulp in a blender.
- Grind until smooth at medium speed.
- Pour into a heat-resistant bowl.
- Squeeze lemon juice.
- Add it to oranges.
- Add sugar, mix thoroughly.
- Put the bowl in the microwave.
- Set the mode to 800W.
- Turn on for seven minutes.
- Stir after time.
- Turn the microwave on again for five minutes.
Transfer the finished jam to a sterilized jar and cover with a lid. It is recommended to store it in the refrigerator.
The amount of sugar in the jam needs to be adjusted, depending on the sweetness of the citrus.
Orange pudding
This light, refreshing dessert can quickly improve your mood during pregnancy. After all, its light orange flavor gives a feeling of cheerfulness.
Required:
- 2 orange;
- 300 ml of milk;
- 5 yolks;
- 100 grams of sugar;
- 20 g of gelatin.
Cooking process:
- Wash citruses thoroughly.
- Remove the zest without affecting the white layer.
- Shred it.
- Separately squeeze the juice from oranges, add gelatin to it.
- Stir and wait for the thickener to swell.
- Beat the yolks separately.
- Pour milk into a saucepan, add zest.
- Pour sugar.
- Add beaten yolks.
- Mix, put on fire.
- Cook until the mass thickens.
- Add gelatin juice.
- Mix and remove from fire.
- Pour the resulting mass into a mold.
- Put in the refrigerator for 7-8 hours.
Other fruits can be added to the pudding
Conclusion
Oranges are not contraindicated for pregnant women if the use does not cause allergies. Therefore, experts recommend starting to introduce citrus into the diet with a small amount. And only in the absence of a negative reaction of the body to gradually increase the consumption rate.
