Is it good for pregnant women to eat chocolate?

Pregnant women eat chocolate in a smart and reasonable way not only does not adversely affect the development of the fetus, but also brings many unexpected health benefits.

It is normal to have cravings during pregnancy . You will be especially interested in some of the unhealthy listings. Snacks, ice cream and chocolates often topped the category of such cravings. However, among these, chocolates make a difference because if you know how to eat, pregnant mothers hardly have any health problems.

According to a study by researchers at Quebec Laval University in Canada and Yale University, pregnant women who eat chocolate are also believed to promote fetal growth and development.

Is it good for pregnant women to eat chocolate?

If you have wondered, if pregnant women eat chocolate well, when you receive the answer "yes" you will surely feel happy. However, eat in moderation and in control by the presence of caffeine in these foods.

Experts have emphasized that pregnant mothers should not consume more than 200mg of chocolate per day. In addition, eating too much chocolate can reduce your interest in healthy foods needed during pregnancy.

Benefits when pregnant women eat chocolate

Eating chocolate, especially dark chocolate in moderation, will bring many good effects for pregnant women, such as:

Reduce pre-eclampsia: If you have preeclampsia, pregnant women tend to have high blood pressure and increased protein levels . This will cause conditions like premature labor, seizures, blood clotting problems, and liver damage. The Theobromine in chocolate can reduce this and limit the risk by almost 70% and is particularly effective in the third trimester.

Rich in antioxidants: The flavonoids in chocolate are excellent antioxidants that can improve immunity levels in pregnant women, among other foods.

Cardiovascular benefits: The antioxidants in chocolate are also good for the heart and may also prevent heart disease from appearing later in the future.

Reducing stress: Dark chocolate can spike serotonin and endorphins in your brain. These are mood enhancers. The flavanols in chocolate also help fight fatigue and relieve stress.

Birth of happy babies: Research shows that women who eat a lot of dark chocolate during pregnancy result in happier and happier babies. In addition, chocolate also helps to protect the little angel from the stress of pregnant mothers.

Balancing cholesterol levels: The flavonoids in dark chocolate can help check the increase in cholesterol levels during pregnancy. They also facilitate better blood flow by making the blood vessels more elastic.

The presence of resveratrol: This ingredient of chocolate is very helpful in protecting the brain as well as the nervous system and supporting the baby's development.

Contains Monounsaturated Fat: A moderate amount of monounsaturated fat is great for pregnant women. Chocolate also contains oleic acid, which has about the same amount of fat as olive oil. Therefore, you should add dark chocolate to the list of snacks when you feel sad.

Should choose to eat chocolate to eat?

Pregnant women who eat chocolate should choose a darker color as possible, such as dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains a variety of essential compounds that have many health benefits for pregnant women. If you find organic chocolate products that contain minimal amounts of sweeteners or low levels of refined white sugar, don't miss it.

Try to avoid chocolate prepared in the mousse form as it contains raw eggs that are not suitable for pregnant women. Chocolate milk, hot chocolate and white chocolate are all safe for pregnant women. From time to time, pregnant moms can still eat chocolate cake or chocolate ice cream as long as you follow the set limit.

The nutritional value of chocolate

Chocolate contains lots of nutrients like magnesium, flavonoids and theobromine. Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure and flavonoids are powerful antioxidants. In addition, theobromine has the ability to optimize kidney function and stimulate blood vessels. About 45mg of milk chocolate contains 235 calories along with 13g of fat, while the same amount of dark chocolate has 290 calories and 1g fat.

How much chocolate should pregnant women eat?

The amount of chocolate you can eat will depend on your health before and during pregnancy. Try and try to avoid processed chocolates and choose whole foods instead. In addition, it is also important to consult your doctor for advice on safe portions when eating chocolate.

Why is eating too much chocolate not good for pregnant women?

Although chocolates are delicious and help pregnant women feel relaxed, but pregnant women eat too much chocolate will not be good for the following reasons:

Increased caffeine content

Chocolate contains caffeine and too much of it during pregnancy can affect the neurotransmitters in the body, thereby causing adverse effects and even disrupting the normal functioning of the body. how to bring false happiness. Eating a lot of caffeinated foods is one of the causes of heartburn or even miscarriage.

Excess calories

Pregnant women eat too much chocolate can lead to unwanted weight gain. This is because chocolates contain an unwanted amount of fat and calories. Being overweight leads to complications during pregnancy such as gestational  diabetes , varicose veins, increased blood pressure and an increased rate of needing a cesarean section.

High sugar content

Even if you only eat dark chocolate during pregnancy, you should be careful because the amount of sugar in chocolate is quite a lot. Example: In 45g dark chocolate has 18g sugar while a similar amount of milk chocolate has up to 23g sugar. Too much sugar can lead to excessive weight gain, dental problems and gestational diabetes.

By making smart product choices, as well as consuming and adjusting accordingly, you can satisfy your pregnancy chocolate cravings without having any negative effects on yourself or the little angel. in the abdomen.