Pregnant women should eat watermelon? This is the question of many pregnant mothers who love this juicy fruit. Besides benefits, watermelon also has side effects for pregnant mothers.
Do you like to eat watermelon? Do you not know if watermelon is safe for your baby in the womb? If you are having this question, please join aFamilyToday Health to follow the shares below to learn more about some of the health benefits of watermelon for pregnant women.
Health benefits of watermelon for pregnant mothers
Most doctors advise pregnant mothers should eat watermelon during pregnancy because this fruit provides a lot of nutrients. Here are some of the amazing health benefits of watermelon:
1. Reduce heartburn
Pregnant women are more likely to experience digestive problems such as heartburn and constipation. Watermelon will help alleviate these problems by soothing the digestive tract and stomach.
2. Reduce swelling
Mild swelling on the hands and feet or edema is quite common during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant mothers should eat watermelon because it has a high water content, which helps to reduce the congestion in the veins and muscles, thereby supporting the treatment of edema.
3. Soothe morning sickness
Drinking a glass of watermelon juice every morning is a great idea during pregnancy. The nutrients in watermelon help to soothe symptoms of morning sickness and provide a more comfortable feeling.
4. Limit dehydration
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Dehydration causes contractions, leading to premature birth. Pregnant women should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. 90% of the watermelon is made up of water. Therefore, this is also a great food to replenish water for the body.
5. Relieve muscle pain
A woman's body goes through many changes during pregnancy. Weight gain and hormonal changes can lead to muscle and bone pain. Adding watermelon to your diet can help alleviate these symptoms.
6. Prevent skin pigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin problems during pregnancy. Watermelon plays an important role in preventing this condition. Watermelon helps in easy digestion, thereby having a strong impact on the texture of the skin, making the skin bright and beautiful.
7. Diuretic and body purification
Watermelon has diuretic properties, helping to flush out toxins from the body. In addition, it also stimulates kidney function, cleans the liver and reduces the amount of uric acid in the blood. So, pregnant mothers should eat watermelon to bring the best for themselves and the fetus.
8. Increase energy
Watermelon contains a large amount of minerals like potassium, magnesium, vitamins like A, B1 and B6. These nutrients help to stimulate natural energy. In addition, they are also very helpful for the development of the baby's eyesight, immune system and nervous system.
9. Prevent pre-eclampsia
Watermelon contains high levels of lycopene, which helps to reduce the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy. This is a condition that can have serious effects on you and your baby. Eating watermelon helps to reduce the risk of fetal development delay.
Side effects of watermelon
Along with the health benefits, watermelon also has some side effects if you eat too much. Specifically:
1. Gestational diabetes
Eating too much watermelon increases blood sugar levels, causing gestational diabetes .
2. Excessive cleaning
Watermelon keeps internal organs healthy by removing toxins from the body. In the process, it can also remove some essential nutrients if you overeat.
3. Stomach problem
Avoid consuming watermelon that has been left for too long as it can lead to nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal problems. Always buy fresh watermelon for consumption or juice.
Some simple ways to prepare watermelon
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1. Watermelon smoothie
Resources:
2 cups watermelon seedless
1 cup of melon
1 cup of cantaloupe
Half a cup of marble
Half a cup of lemon juice or lemon soda
How to do: Put all ingredients in the machine and puree.
2. Avocado watermelon salad and spinach
Resources:
2 avocados, peeled, sliced and diced
4 cups watermelon diced
4 cups chopped spinach
1 cup of sauce
Making:
Mix all the fruits and spinach together. Add sauce before eating.
3. Lemon, watermelon and strawberry juice
Resources:
8 cups watermelon chopped and seeded
Half a cup of fresh strawberries
Half a cup of fresh lemon juice
1 cup of white sugar
2 glasses of water
Making:
Mix the ingredients together, put in the machine, puree. Refrigerate before serving.
4. Cucumber and watermelon salad
Resources:
6 cups watermelon chopped and seeded
4 cups chopped cucumbers
1 teaspoon salt or taste
1 teaspoon of white sugar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar - ask your doctor before taking it.
Making:
Add the cut watermelon and cucumber to the bowl, add salt and sugar. Add a little balsamic vinegar and mix well. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes and mix again before serving.
5. Spicy watermelon
Resources:
1/4 teaspoon fennel powder
1/4 teaspoon coriander powder
1/4 cup chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt or taste
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups watermelon chopped and seeded
Lemon juice.
Making:
Combine cumin powder, chili powder, coriander, pepper and salt together. Cut the melon into a bowl, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture on and add a little lemon juice. If you want to eat cold, you can refrigerate it for a while.
Tips when eating watermelon during pregnancy
You can make watermelon ice cream easily by blending watermelon pieces with ice and placing them in the freezer for a while.
You can combine it with savory dishes to enhance its flavor, for example cooking watermelon with cheddar cheese to make the perfect appetizer.
Just like any other food, before eating watermelon, you should consult your doctor to ensure it is safe.