Pregnancy is a gift that only women experience. Being pregnant is like an aristocratic job that God has assigned directly to women, something that men cannot do. During pregnancy, the fetus grows amazingly in the woman’s womb and then it is born. To ensure the proper development of the fetus during pregnancy, mothers should consume very nutritious foods because this is the only way for nutrients to reach the fetus. When it comes to the list of foods that women should eat during pregnancy, an incomplete list comes to mind, but you should consider the benefits of peanuts during pregnancy because peanuts are not only delicious but also rich in vitamins, minerals and other compounds. Naturally, they are also great for pregnancy.
What are peanuts
Peanut, which is included in the group of nuts, is a bean product that is planted because of its edible seeds. Peanuts belong to the legume family, so they are in the same family as beans and peas. Peanuts are available in two forms, shelled and unshelled. In terms of taste, peanuts are not much different from almonds and walnuts, and it depends on the taste of the person which taste he prefers. Today, peanuts are planted almost all over the world, and Asia is the largest producer. Peanuts were brought to Asia by European traders. Did you know that peanuts were first used only as animal feed? However, in the late 19th century, the United States government encouraged its people to eat peanuts because of their many health benefits, and even George Washington created hundreds of peanut recipes as part of this program. .
Nutritional value of peanuts
Peanuts are a healthy snack. However, that doesn’t mean you can consume it without knowing the nutrients it contains. By knowing the nutrients in peanuts, you can see how much peanuts you need during pregnancy. Of course, each person’s needs are different from another.
Benefits of peanuts
1. An excellent source of folate
Consuming folate-rich foods during pregnancy is highly recommended, and peanuts are one of these foods. Each 100 grams of peanuts can provide about 60% of the daily folate requirement. Everyone knows that folate is very important for fetal development, especially in the first trimester.
2. A natural source of vegetable protein
Protein is essential for the mother during pregnancy, and each 100 grams of peanuts is high in protein and provides a significant amount of the daily protein requirement.
3. Prevent birth defects
Congenital defects can occur when there is a disturbance in the development of the fetus or there are no nutrients necessary for the development of the fetus. Peanuts are rich in vitamins and minerals that are great for pregnancy. Materials such as folate, which plays a role in fetal development, and minerals such as iron and calcium, which help store red blood cells.
4. Increased brain development
Peanuts are great food for the brain. During pregnancy, the fetus receives food from the mother, and the folate consumed by the mother is beneficial not only for the mother but also for the fetus’s brain. If you want to have a healthy and intelligent child, eat peanuts during pregnancy.
5. A source of calories for the mother
The need for calories is different for every mother, but calories are necessary as an energy booster. Mother may get tired early during pregnancy. Peanuts can help provide energy.
6. Healthy fats
Not all fats are bad, and peanuts contain healthy fats that are good for moms during pregnancy. Healthy fats are great for promoting heart health because mothers are at risk for high blood pressure during pregnancy.
7. Reducing the risk of allergic diseases
Recent studies have indicated that mothers who consume peanuts during pregnancy can reduce the risk of allergic diseases. Not only food allergies such as peanut allergy but also other allergies such as asthma are included in this case.
8. Help control blood pressure
High blood pressure during pregnancy can be fatal for both the mother and the fetus. That is why expectant mothers should control their blood pressure. To help control blood pressure, adding peanuts to your daily diet is highly recommended as peanuts are very good for the heart.
9. Prevent gestational diabetes
From the table above, you can see that peanuts are rich in manganese. This mineral plays an important role in regulating blood sugar during pregnancy and preventing gestational diabetes. Also, manganese also plays a role in increasing calcium absorption.
10. Fighting depression
The mother is at risk of stress and depression during pregnancy. Some studies show that mothers who eat peanuts are happier than those who don’t. So, whenever you feel depressed, eat peanuts.
11. Reduce the risk of weight gain
Obesity during pregnancy is dangerous for mother and child. For this reason, weight control is very important. Although peanuts are high in fat and calories, their fats are healthy and packed with nutrients that can help you control your calories.
12. Healthy skin during pregnancy
One of the problems that every mother faces during pregnancy is skin problems. Although mothers are prohibited from using cosmetics because they contain chemicals, they can control the skin problem by consuming peanuts. Vitamin E and antioxidants prevent skin problems.
13. A source of vitamin E
Vitamin E is the reason for the beauty of a pregnant mother. Vitamin E increases skin health and prevents skin problems for the mother. Therefore, mothers can focus on their pregnancy in addition to giving birth to a healthy child.
14. An excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
If you think fish is not good during pregnancy but you know you need a source of omega-3 fatty acids, you can replace fish with peanuts because peanuts contain fatty acids.
15. An excellent source of B complex vitamins
As you can see in the table above, 100 grams of peanuts are high in vitamin B complex. This amount provides almost half of the daily requirement of vitamin B.
16. Strong antioxidants
Antioxidants are not only anti-cancer, but during pregnancy they can also help maintain the mother’s immune system and prevent her from getting sick quickly.
17. Rich in minerals
Looking for a way to meet your daily mineral needs? Peanuts are your solution. You can see the amount of minerals in peanuts in the table above. 100 grams of peanuts can provide half of your daily need for minerals.
18. A very healthy snack
During pregnancy, you need to eat enough to ensure the growth of the fetus. Add peanuts to your diet as it is a very healthy snack that everyone loves.
Caution in consuming peanuts
Peanuts are rich in vitamins, minerals and other natural compounds that have been proven to be useful during pregnancy. The list of benefits of peanuts for pregnancy mentioned above is scientifically proven. However, you should also be careful when consuming peanuts. Here are the precautions:
- Allergic reaction is one of the most common things that occurs when eating peanuts. If a mother has an allergic reaction to peanuts, she should avoid eating them.
- Some studies have shown that high consumption of peanuts during pregnancy can increase the risk of a child’s allergic reaction to peanuts. Therefore, it is better to consume peanuts in moderation.
- Peanut butter is delicious, but it is still recommended to consume peanuts because peanut butter is processed and you should be careful about the amount of refined sugar in peanut butter.
- Be careful about eating salted peanuts because it is true that they taste good, but salt contains sodium and can increase the risk of high blood pressure. High blood pressure during pregnancy can be fatal.
Peanuts are a healthy snack that mothers add to their diet, especially in the early months when morning sickness is more severe. By eating peanuts, you can at least make sure that the fetus is getting the nutrients it needs. However, if you want to get the most out of peanuts during pregnancy, follow the above precautions.