hich fruits should you

eat during pregnancy?

 Benefits
 Best fruits

 How much fruit to eat

 Fruits to avoid
 Takeaway
Making healthful food choices is crucial for
women when they are pregnant. Their diet
will provide the fetus with the nutrients
essential for growth and development.

A nutritious diet plays an essential role in a person’s overall health,

helping the body to function effectively and reducing the risk of some
diseases.

Most people are aware that a healthful diet should include plenty of
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthful fats.
However, they may not realize that specific fruits are particularly
beneficial during pregnancy.
In this article, we explain why it is important to eat fruit during
pregnancy. We also cover which fruits are best to eat during this time,
and which types of fruit pregnant women may wish to avoid.

What are the benefits of eating

fruit during pregnancy?
 Fruits provide vitamins and nutrients that are essential during
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pregnancy.
Eating a healthful, varied diet is particularly important during
pregnancy as the right nutrients can help the fetus to develop and
grow as it should.

In addition to supporting the growing baby, an increased intake of

vitamins and minerals can help a pregnant woman keep her own body
in the best condition possible.

Eating plenty of fresh fruit during pregnancy can help to ensure that
both the woman and baby remain healthy. Fresh fruit contains lots of
essential vitamins and nutrients and is a good source of fiber too.

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The best fruits to eat during

pregnancy
Snacking on fruit can be a great way to boost vitamin intake in
addition to curbing sugar cravings.
Below, we list 12 of the best fruits to include in a healthful pregnancy
diet.

1. Apricots

Apricots contain:

 vitamins A, C, and E
 calcium
 iron
 potassium
 beta carotene
 phosphorus
 silicon

All of these nutrients help with the baby’s development and growth.
Iron can prevent anemia and calcium helps bones and teeth grow
strong.

2. Oranges

Oranges are an excellent source of:

 folate
 vitamin C
 water
Oranges are great for keeping a person hydrated and healthy. Vitamin
C can help prevent cell damage and assist with iron absorption.

Folate can help prevent neural tube defects, which can cause brain
and spinal cord abnormalities in a baby. Neural tube defects can
cause conditions such as spina bifida, where the spinal cord does not
develop properly, and anencephaly, in which a large part of the brain
and skull is missing.

3. Mangoes

Mangoes are rich in vitamins A and C.

One cup of chopped mango provides 100 percent of a person’s

recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C and more than a
third of their RDA of vitamin A.

A baby born with vitamin A deficiency may have lower immunity and a
higher risk of postnatal complications, such as respiratory infections.

4. Pears

Pears provide lots of the following nutrients:

 fiber
 potassium
 folate
Getting plenty of fiber in a pregnancy diet can help ease constipation,
a common pregnancy symptom.

Potassium can benefit heart health for both the woman and baby. It
also stimulates cell regeneration.

5. Pomegranates

Pomegranates can provide pregnant women with plenty of:

 vitamin K
 calcium
 folate
 iron
 protein
 fiber

Nutrient-dense pomegranates are also a good source of energy, and

their high iron content helps prevent iron-deficiency.

Vitamin K is also essential for maintaining healthy bones.

Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may help to

decrease the risk of injury to the placenta.

6. Avocados

Avocados are an excellent source of:

  vitamins C, E, and K
 monounsaturated fatty acids
 fiber
 B vitamins
 potassium
 copper

Avocados contain healthful fats that provide energy and help to

prevent neural tube defects. They also boost the cells responsible for
building the skin and brain tissues of the developing baby.

The potassium in avocados can provide relief from leg cramps,

another symptom that is common during pregnancy, particularly in the
third trimester.

7. Guava
Guava contains vitamin E and folate, making it an ideal fruit to eat
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during pregnancy.

Guava is an excellent choice of fruit for people wanting more of the

following nutrients:

 vitamins C and E
 polyphenols
 carotenoids
 isoflavonoids
  folate

Guava contains a varied combination of nutrients, making it ideal for

pregnant women. Eating guava during pregnancy can help to relax
muscles, aid digestion, and reduce constipation.

8. Bananas

Bananas contain high levels of:

 vitamin C
 potassium
 vitamin B-6
 fiber

The high fiber content of bananas can help with pregnancy-related

constipation, and there is some evidence to suggest that vitamin B-6
can help relieve nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy.

9. Grapes

Eating plenty of grapes can boost people’s intake of:

 vitamins C and K
 folate
 antioxidants
 fiber
  organic acids
 pectin

The nutrients in grapes can help to aid the biological changes that
occur during pregnancy.

They contain immune-boosting antioxidants, such as flavonol, tannin,

linalool, anthocyanins, and geraniol, which also help prevent
infections.

10. Berries

Berries are a good source of:

 vitamin C
 healthy carbohydrates
 antioxidants
 fiber

Berries also contain lots of water, so they are an excellent source of

hydration. Vitamin C helps with iron absorption and boosts the body’s
immune system.

11. Apples

Apples are packed with nutrients to help a growing fetus, including:

 vitamins A and C
  fiber
 potassium

One study found that eating apples while pregnant may reduce the
likelihood of the baby developing asthma and allergies over time.

12. Dried Fruit

The following nutrients occur in dried fruit:

 fiber
 vitamins and minerals
 energy

Dried fruit contains all the same nutrients as fresh fruit. Therefore,
pregnant women can get their RDA of vitamins and minerals by eating
portions of dried fruits that are smaller than the equivalent amount of
fresh fruits.

However, it is important to remember that dried fruit can be high in

sugar and does not contain the water content that fresh fruit does.
This means that it does not aid digestion. Pregnant women should
only eat dried fruits in moderation and should avoid candied fruits
altogether.

It is best to eat dried fruits in addition to fresh fruits, rather than

instead of them.
How much fruit should
someone eat during
pregnancy?
The advice for pregnant women is to eat at least five portions of fresh
fruit and vegetables each day and to vary these as much as possible.
Fruit can be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried.

As a general rule, a serving of fruit is:

 one piece of fruit, for fruits that are larger than the size of a
tennis ball
 one cup of chopped fruit

Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables during pregnancy provides

pregnant women with adequate nutrition to support their developing
baby. It should also minimize the risk of certain diseases and defects
and help to nourish the woman’s body.

Are there any fruits a person

should avoid during
pregnancy?
Fruit juice has a high sugar content.
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There is no particular fruit that pregnant women should avoid.
However, it is essential for women to be aware of portion size. Some
fruits have a high sugar content, and certain forms of fruit, such as
juices and dried fruits, are often significantly higher in sugar
and calories than their fresh counterparts.

Buying organic fruit will ensure that it has not come into contact with
fertilizers and pesticides that could damage its quality. However, if
organic fruit is not an option, non-organic fruit is still better than
eliminating fruit from the diet altogether.

It is important to remove any pesticides and bacteria that might be

present on fruit by washing it thoroughly before eating it. People
should take other safety precautions by:

 removing areas of bruised fruit, which are more likely to contain

bacteria
 storing fruit in a separate area of the fridge to any raw meat
products
 avoiding precut melons
 only drinking pasteurized or boiled fruit juice

Takeaway
Fruit is an excellent source of nutrients that are essential during
pregnancy. Fruits can provide vitamins, folate, fiber, and more, which
all help to keep the woman and baby healthy. These nutrients can
also help to relieve some of the common symptoms of pregnancy.

Pregnant women should aim to consume at least five different portions

of fruit and vegetables each day. The 12 fruits listed in this article are
particularly good choices during pregnancy. Pregnant women should
also limit their intake of dried fruits and fruit juices as these can be
high in sugar and calories than fresh types.

 Nutrition / Diet
 Pregnancy / Obstetrics
 Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
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