Are There Benefits To Eating Grapes During Pregnancy?
Are you completely confused on whether it’s ok for you to eat grapes while you’re pregnant? As you know by now eating for two becomes pretty challenging. And it’s not just trying to stay full and satisfied, it knows what foods you can and can’t eat.
When you’re pregnant and hungry almost anything will do. But you want to eat smart and put foods into your body that are good for you and your baby. Here is why eating grapes during pregnancy can be beneficial.
In this article, we’ll cover the benefits of eating grapes while pregnant and some side effects that could occur. I’ll even give you a few tips on eating grapes during your pregnancy. It’s always best to talk with your doctor if you are concerned about eating certain foods while pregnant.
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Benefits Of Eating Grapes
From internally regulating your nervous system to preventing infections, grapes contain many vitamins and nutrients that can have a positive impact on your body while pregnant. Below are benefits to eating grapes:
- Grapes contain a high content of iron which helps your body produce more blood cells. This will help reduce the risks of you getting anemia while pregnant.
- Source of magnesium which can help relieve cramps you might experience.
- Increasing your immune system with antioxidants is another benefit of eating grapes during pregnancy. This will help reduce the amount of infections that could occur while you’re pregnant.
- Grapes also contain calcium and other organic acids which help maintain your dental health during pregnancy.
- Fiber is the main problem solver to constipation. And if you’re pregnant you will most likely experience constipation… probably more than once.
- Grapes contain resveratrol, which is the nutrient that causes all of the controversies to eating them while pregnant. The beneficial side of this nutrient is that it lowers cholesterol in your blood system. High cholesterol is a common condition among pregnant women. Resveratrol also normalizes your nervous system, more specifically your emotional and psychological state. We’ll talk about the negative side effects to this nutrient in a minute.
Other than having a healthy Momma, your baby will benefit from you eating grapes too. Grapes contain several vitamins and nutrients that will help in the development of your baby. Here is a list of those benefits:
- Vitamin B which helps in maintaining your metabolic rate. This means that more nutrients will be absorbed by your baby which will promote healthy development.
- Sodium is found in grapes which will help in developing your baby’s nervous system.
- Vitamin A which will help in the development of your baby's eyesight.
- Grapes contain folic acid which is involved in the development of the brain as well as reduces the risks of birth defects. Folic acid is also important for your baby to develop its spinal cord, bones, and teeth.
Even though there are many benefits to eating grapes during pregnancy there are some side effects that can occur.
Side Effects Of Eating Grapes
Side effects should always be taken into consideration, especially while pregnant. The ones listed here can be avoided by limiting the amount of grapes you consume.
- Diarrhea which can lead to an uncomfortable upset stomach and even dehydration.
- Heartburn is common among pregnant women. The more sour the grape the more acidic it will be which will increase your chances of having heartburn.
- Sweet grapes are considered a high calorie fruit, so to avoid (more) weight gain try to limit the amount you eat in one sitting. Restricting the amount of sweet grapes you eat during your third trimester will also help keep your baby from gaining too much weight which could cause an unpleasantly painful labor.
- And now the flip side to resveratrol. Eating too many grapes can cause resveratrol poisoning which can be toxic to anyone who has pre-existing hormone problems. However, this is only if a very large amount of grapes are consumed at one time.
Restricting the amount of grapes you eat in one sitting will decrease your risk of excessive weight gain as well as resveratrol poisoning. Eating smaller, healthier portions throughout the day will help reduce these side effects.
Tips To Eating Grapes
If you’re going to eat grapes while pregnant here are a few tips that might help reduce the risks of side effects as well as maybe even give you a little more pep in your step throughout the day.
- Grapes are a part of the ‘Dirty Dozen’ when it comes to the list of fruits and vegetables high in pesticides. So choosing organic grapes is a much healthier and safer choice.
- If you are concerned with resveratrol poisoning you can peel the grapes because the skin is where a majority of resveratrol comes from.
- Green grapes are believed to be more nutritious than darker grapes.
- Do not eat grapes if you’re allergic to them.
- Drinking grape juice in the morning can give you more energy throughout the day, it can also help to improve your appetite.
- If you have gastritis or an ulcer it is recommended that you not eat grapes.
Conclusion
Knowing the benefits of eating grapes for me and my baby while I was pregnant was a relief because I was craving them big time! And making sure to eat them in moderation throughout the day kept me from experiencing any side effects. Not to mention, it also makes an easy snack to carry around.
Following these tips on eating grapes will also help in minimizing any or all side effects. Again, if you’re still concerned or not sure, always speak to your doctor about foods they recommend you eat while pregnant.
Have questions about eating grapes during pregnancy? Let me know in the comments below.
