Okra is a type of fruit and vegetable that is rated by nutritionists as "small but with a martial arts". The effects of okra will bring a lot of health benefits to pregnant mothers and fetuses.
The habit of eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables can make a big difference to your body, especially during pregnancy. On the other hand, you should take adequate supplements to maintain and adapt to the changes during pregnancy. Vegetables such as okra are highly nutritionally valued by experts. The following article, aFamilyToday Health will introduce the effects of okra to pregnant women that you should not ignore.
Should pregnant women eat okra?
The answer to this question is yes. Okra is on the list of good pregnant vegetables that you can enjoy during pregnancy. This fruit is rich in fiber, folic acid, calories and many other essential minerals. No matter how the okra is processed, the pregnant mother will still receive the nutritional value that it brings.
The nutritional value of okra
100g of okra will provide:
Energy: 30kcal
Carbohydrate: 7.6g
Fiber: 3.2g
Fat: 0.1g
Protein: 2g
Vitamin A: 0.198 mg
Vitamin B9 or folate: 87.8g
Vitamin C: 21mg
Calcium: 75mg
Magnesium: 57mg.
The effect of okra on pregnant women

Nutrients in okra are very beneficial for pregnancy and support the healthy development of the baby. The effects of okra include:
1. Supplement vitamin C
Vitamin C in okra helps to support the absorption of iron, thereby promoting the development of the fetal skin, bones and capillaries, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases or diabetes in children. small in the future. In addition, the consumption of okra also helps to strengthen the immune system in pregnant mothers, avoiding the incidence of unwanted diseases.
2. Supplement with folate
Okra is a rich source of folate and folic acid, which can help prevent the risk of birth defects in babies . Experts have encouraged pregnant women to eat okra between 4 weeks fetus until 12 weeks of pregnancy, because this is when the fetal neural tube begins to develop and folic acid from okra will support for this process.
3. Add more fiber
One effect of okra that you cannot ignore is its ability to prevent constipation during pregnancy thanks to its rich content of both soluble and insoluble fiber. In addition, soluble fiber also reduces the risk of diabetes, even lower cholesterol in the blood.
4. Get a good night's sleep
Essential amino acids like tryptophan found in okra, along with oils and proteins, are known to improve mental health and help pregnant mothers get quality sleep. If you are bothering with insomnia during pregnancy , try okra.
5. Control fatigue
During pregnancy, pregnant women get tired easily for many reasons. However, okra will help you to solve this problem. They contain substances such as polyphenols with antioxidant and flavonoids that help promote glycogen stores in the liver. Glycogen is like the body's data storage, when you absorb okra, pregnant mothers will feel less tired than usual.
This is the reason why the effect of okra has the ability to positively affect patients with depression. So including okra in your diet will help you combat the inexplicable fatigue of depression.
In addition to the benefits outlined above, some of the effects of okra can be mentioned as removing toxins from your body thanks to the amount of mucus and fiber, providing the ability to help stabilize blood glucose. . You can also eat okra in moderation to maintain the health of your skin and hair, especially if you are affected by rash and hair loss during pregnancy.
Delicious dishes from okra for pregnant mothers

Some pregnancy-friendly okra recipes to try include:
1. Stewed okra
Stewed okra with tomato sauce, garlic and cilantro will surely stimulate your taste buds and help you enjoy your appetite.
Resources
250g okra
2 medium sized tomatoes
1 - 2 medium sized onions
1/2 cup canola oil
1 garlic clove, peeled and sliced
1 little cilantro, chopped
60 ml of water
Salt
Red chili powder for added flavor
Doing
Boil water over high heat.
Cook tomatoes for one minute, then remove, peel and chop
Heat the pan, lightly coat with oil and add the onions
Stir fry until the onions are soft
Put the tomatoes, water, cilantro and chili powder in the pan one by one
Stir until mixture becomes thick
Add the okra and continue to fry the okra to soften
Season with salt depending on taste
After the okra is soft, you can empty it on a plate, sprinkle a little more cilantro on top to decorate
Enjoy.
2. Roasted okra
This is a fairly simple side dish and easy to make that you cannot ignore.
Resources
250g okra
1 teaspoon olive oil
Pepper
Salt
Doing
Wash the okra, drain
Put okra on a baking tray
Preheat oven to 450 ° F
Brush with olive oil and place in the oven
Bake until the crust turns the color of the cockroach wing, then flip the side and cook again
Once done, sprinkle with pepper and salt for flavor.
Some frequently asked questions about okra

1. Is the effect of okra beneficial for labor?
Many people believe that when pregnant women eat okra, they will help the process go smoothly and smoothly. However, there is no specific scientific degree to support this point.
2. Does eating okra can cause miscarriage?
Okra does not cause miscarriage and is safe to enjoy during pregnancy .
3. How to make okra juice
If you do not like eating okra fruit, then drinking okra juice is an ideal alternative as you will still get the health benefits. The way is also quite simple, you just need to do the following:
Choose from 3 - 5 okra
Rinse and cut into small pieces
Put the okra in a glass of water and leave overnight
Take out okra and drink gradually throughout the day.
Okra juice works to eliminate toxins and helps regulate the amount of cholesterol. However, to ensure safety, consult your doctor before use.
4. What to look for when eating okra?
Because okra hulls can exist residues from pesticides or fertilizers, pregnant mothers should prepare this fruit thoroughly in water before use. Okra is very popular, but you should prioritize buying in supermarkets to ensure maximum safety. In addition, you should cook okra over medium heat to retain its nutritional value
Okra is an excellent food and has no harmful side effects during pregnancy. You can enjoy okra every day to improve the health of both you and your baby. However, if she notices any allergic reaction to this fruit or feels uncomfortable after eating, a pregnant woman should consult a doctor to rule out any serious problems.
Phuong Uyen / HELLOBACSI