Pregnancy is a phase where women can raise a storm about what to eat and whatnot. There is quite a number of foodstuff that may be perfectly healthy otherwise but can react negatively during your pregnancy. Chia seeds are one such food product that has all these nutrition values and more. Are you worried about whether or not it is safe for you to eat Chia seeds in pregnancy?
Chia seeds are derived from a plant in the mint family. These seeds are versatile edible seeds that contain many important nutrients that are necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Just a dose of 2 tablespoons of chia seeds during pregnancy can supply nearly all the additional daily calories and nutrition needed during early pregnancy.
Benefits of Chia Seeds During Pregnancy:
1. Source OF Omega-3:
Chia seeds for pregnancy are a great source of omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrition for the unborn baby’s brain development. Most people choose to consume salmon or fish oil supplements to meet their daily requirement. But the mercury content in fish tends to make most pregnant women sceptical. Thus, chia seed is a great alternative. It might be a very tiny looking seeds but chia seeds are packed with a heavy dose of omega-3 fatty acids in them.
Unlike typical nuts and seeds with a high-fat content that have a short shelf life before they turn rancid, chia seeds can be kept in storage for up to four years without deterioration. This is due to their high content of antioxidants. You should definitely include in your daily diet chia seeds during pregnancy.
See More: Sesame Seeds in Pregnancy
2. Replenishing Lost Nutrients:
Pregnancy can be very tough on the body. It is very taxing on the body and can rob you of some nutrients from the body. Consuming chia seeds while pregnant do pack a powerful antioxidant punch to help replace some of those lost nutrients. They are high in essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron and niacin. During the final trimester of your pregnancy, it is very important to get ample amount of calcium for proper skeletal development.
Chia seeds contain about five times the amount of calcium as milk. They also contain boron, another critical mineral for bone health. Iron present in these seeds is essential to develop the red blood cells that transport oxygen through the body. During pregnancy, it is important to increase the iron intake to accommodate the mother’s increased blood volume and for the development of the baby’s blood.
3. Fighting Various Illness:
Chia seeds are known to have shown possible effectiveness for allergies, angina, cancer, coronary heart disease (CHD), heart attack, athletic performance enhancement, hormonal/endocrine disorders, hypertension, stroke, hyperlipidemia, and vasodilatation. It can also effectively help as a possible anticoagulant, antioxidant, and antiviral effects.
See More: Flax Seeds During Pregnancy
4. Slowing Down Sugar Absorption:
High blood sugar level can lead to a risky pregnancy. It is associated with complications such as high birth weight, increased chance of C-section deliveries and preeclampsia. On consumption, chia seeds create a gelatin-like substance in the stomach. This substance slows down digestion and keeps blood sugar levels stable. This quality makes chia seeds for pregnancy a must-have.
5. Energy Source:
Chia seeds in pregnancy slow down the process of converting sugars and carbohydrates from the seeds into energy. This slow-burning process in addition to the seeds being high in protein greatly helps to provide and sustaining energy boost.
See More: Sunflower Seeds During Pregnancy
Chia seeds while pregnant are easy and necessary to incorporate into your daily diet. It benefits not only the mother’s health but also the baby’s development. They are a storehouse of essential nutrients that your body needs during pregnancy.
