Dry fruits, also known as dry fruits or nuts, are considered very healthy. Daily consumption of nuts rich in healthy fats omega-6 and omega-3, folic acid, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals can be beneficial for your health in many ways. Dry fruits are also helpful in keeping away diseases like diabetes, high BP and oxidative stress. Apart from this, if the elderly consume nuts daily, then the problem of cognitive deficiency can be reduced in them. 

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But when it comes to pregnancy, most women become cautious about what they should eat and what they should not, so that there is no negative effect on the baby growing in their womb. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also advises women to eat dry fruits during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman consumes nuts during the early weeks of pregnancy i.e. during the first trimester, it can improve the neuropsychological development of the child. Many studies and research have found that children whose mothers eat about 74 grams of nuts per week during the first trimester of pregnancy have better intelligence, memory, attention and concentration, compared to children of mothers who do not consume nuts.

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The requirement of omega-3 fatty acids increases in pregnant women as compared to non-pregnant women. Some studies suggest that these fatty acids play an important role in the duration of pregnancy as well as the birth weight of newborns. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are called essential fatty acids because our body cannot produce them and these fatty acids can be obtained only through diet. Therefore, it is important to consume nuts during pregnancy so that pregnant women can get these essential nutrients.

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Overall, dry fruits or nuts are very beneficial and pregnant women should consume them, but pregnant women often have this question in their mind that whether the consumption of all nuts or dry fruits is beneficial during pregnancy or are there some nuts which should be avoided. Here we are telling you about the advantages and disadvantages of eating dry fruits during pregnancy, and how much quantity should be eaten.

  1. Is It Safe To Eat Dry Fruits During Pregnancy?
  2. Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits During Pregnancy
  3. Disadvantages Of Eating Dry Fruits During Pregnancy
  4. Which Nuts To Eat And Which Not To Eat During Pregnancy?
  5. When Should Dry Fruits Be Eaten During Pregnancy?
  6. Summary

As we have already told you that dry-fruits, nuts or dried fruits are known as the powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. Nuts rich in Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, fiber and amino acids should definitely be a part of the diet of pregnant women. Consuming dry fruits also helps in calming hunger, which can prove beneficial during pregnancy and due to so many qualities, we can say that eating dry fruits during pregnancy is completely safe.

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But like many other things, dry fruits should also be consumed in limited quantities and with caution during pregnancy because eating too many nuts can also cause many problems and complications. Therefore, pregnant women can eat dry fruits during pregnancy but in limited quantities.

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Nuts are considered an excellent source of nutrition during pregnancy. Whether it is the first trimester of pregnancy, second or third, you need nutrition all the time, to fulfill which you can consume dry fruits. Almonds, cashews, pistachios or walnuts, all these are dry fruits rich in nutrients which pregnant women must consume.

Benefits Of Dry Fruits In Pregnancy For Fiber

During pregnancy, women often suffer from constipation due to hormonal changes and dry fruits are rich in dietary fiber which can help in relieving constipation. Therefore, during pregnancy, women are advised to consume a high amount of fiber-rich diet. Dry fruits are high in fiber and hence pregnant women can consume them.

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Benefits Of Dry Fruits In Pregnancy For Vitamin E

Vitamin E present in dry fruits helps in the development of cells and lungs of the baby growing in the womb. Apart from this, vitamin E maintains the structure of fat (lipid) in your body. It also helps in providing protection from viruses and bacteria by strengthening the immune system. It also helps your blood vessels to expand so that the problem of blood clotting can be prevented. Vitamin E also helps in removing the marks of stretch marks during pregnancy.

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Benefits Of Dry Fruits In Pregnancy For Iron

For your pregnancy to remain healthy, it is very important that the iron level in the body remains maintained and dates and dried figs - these are some dry fruits that can help you in fulfilling your daily iron requirement. Apart from this, during pregnancy your body produces extra blood (hemoglobin) for the needs of you and your child. Also, by taking adequate amounts of iron, the problem of fatigue and anemia during pregnancy can also be avoided.

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Benefits Of Dry Fruits In Pregnancy For Potassium And Magnesium

Many times pregnant women also face the problem of blood pressure during pregnancy and if the blood pressure increases too much, it can prove to be dangerous for both the pregnant woman and her child. Therefore, potassium found in dry fruits can help in controlling blood pressure and improving muscle control. Apart from this, magnesium is also found in dry fruits, which can prove to be helpful in better development of nerves and bones of the baby growing in the womb. Apart from this, magnesium can also prove to be helpful in removing the problem of pre-eclampsia and increasing the weight of the child at birth.

Benefits Of Dry Fruits In Pregnancy For Natural Sugar

It is very important to control blood sugar during pregnancy because consuming too much sugar during this time can lead to the risk of gestational diabetes. Therefore, it is very important that you depend on sugar obtained from natural things and dry fruits are one of them. The sugar present naturally in dry fruits is easy to digest and can also prove helpful in providing the necessary energy for the body. Apart from this, consuming dry fruits and nuts during pregnancy also reduces the risk of asthma and wheezing in the child.

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If you consume dry fruits in limited quantities during pregnancy, then it is considered safe for you, but consuming too much dry fruits can cause many problems and complications:

  • If a pregnant woman consumes too many dry fruits, then it can also cause gas, flatulence and diarrhea in her stomach.
  • Dry fruits and nuts are high in calories and hence if nuts are consumed in large quantities, then it can not only lead to excessive weight gain in the pregnant woman but can also cause many other health problems.
  • It is important to remember that dry fruits are high in sugar and do not contain as much water as fresh fruits. This means that it does not help much in digestion either. Therefore, it is very important that pregnant women consume dry fruits only in limited quantities and should completely avoid consuming canned or candied fruits.
  • If you are allergic to dry fruits or nuts (especially peanuts), then do not consume them at all during pregnancy, otherwise it can prove to be dangerous for you and the child.

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During pregnancy, you can consume almonds, cashews, raisins, walnuts, dried figs, pistachios and dates because all these dry fruits can help in controlling weight, improving digestion and eliminating the problem of constipation, preventing heart disease, controlling blood pressure, in the development of the child's brain and eyes and in the formation of bones and teeth. But many people are allergic to peanuts, so if you want, do not consume peanuts during pregnancy.

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Although the consumption of dry fruits is considered beneficial during the entire pregnancy, but only in limited quantities. So in the first trimester, a pregnant woman needs about 60 grams of nuts daily, about 90 grams in the second trimester and about 100-120 grams in the last trimester i.e. about a handful of nuts and it should be a mixture of different types of nuts. You should also include chia seeds in it which is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. If you want, you can eat 5-6 almonds, 2-3 walnuts, 2 dates and 6-7 pistachios at a time.

Eating nuts during pregnancy is very beneficial. They are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals which are important for the health of both the pregnant woman and the baby. Almonds, walnuts, cashews and other nuts help in the development of the brain and bones. The healthy fats present in nuts are essential for the development of the child's brain and eyes. Apart from this, the presence of fiber in them provides relief from problems like constipation. However, nuts should be consumed in limited quantities and along with a balanced diet.

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