Pregnancy is a time wherein the mother-to-be will have many restrictions on the diet. And, as obviously pregnant women should mainly concentrate on healthy food because she isn’t eating only for themselves but also for the baby present inside. Also, pregnancy is a time when the pregnant lady experiences weird cravings for food. One such desire may be of eating the favourite snack popcorn. Health experts say that eating Popcorn in moderate quantities is generally safe. Here in this article, we will look at the nutritional facts, health benefits, and risks associated with eating popcorn during pregnancy.
How Safe Is Popcorn During Pregnancy:
Is Popcorn one of your favourite snacks? Can’t stop yourself from eating Popcorn while watching your favourite show or movie? Popcorn during pregnancy is absolutely safe if you consume it in moderate quantities. You can chew your favourite snack during the evenings to satisfy your cravings. But try to control yourself from eating in excess, because it may result in some side effects. If you are eating Popcorn during pregnancy, then make sure you buy from a certified vendor.
Nutritional Benefits Of Popcorn:
Before eating Popcorn, having an idea about the nutritional content of Popcorn is essential too. Let us have a look at its nutrients of it.
- Popcorn is considered to be a whole-grain food making it naturally high in various nutrients.
- A 100 gm serving of Popcorn has the following nutrients:
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 12% of RDI
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 8% of RDI
- Viatmin B1 (Thiamin) 7% of RDI
- Magnesium 36% of RDI
- Zinc 21% of RDI
- Iron 18% of RDI
- Copper 13% of RDI
- Phosphorous 36% of RDI
- Manganese 56% of RDI
- Potassium 9% of RDI
- Popcorn is considered one of the best sources of fibre as it contains 15gm of fibre in a 100 gm serving.
- Additionally, it is said that Popcorn has zero fat content.
See More: Eating Pizza During Pregnancy
Health Benefits Of Popcorn During Pregnancy:
Considering the nutritional facts about Popcorn, we will now look into the health benefits of Popcorn during pregnancy. Anything which is consumed in excess is harmful, but, Popcorn if eaten in moderate quantities, has some health benefits.
1. Aids in Digestion:
As we have seen Popcorn is rich in fibre, which helps in easy digestion. Consuming Popcorn can alleviate constipation and increase bowel movements.
2. High in Protein:
Popcorn also has the right amounts of protein in them that are essential for the growth of the baby present inside. Protein also helps in supplying essential amino acids to the body.
3. Prevents Premature Delivery:
One thing all pregnant women do not wish for is premature delivery. This is because of the various complications that may arise in the baby in the future. Selenium content present in the Popcorn may help in reducing the difficulties associated with labour, in turn, helps in timely delivery.
How Harmful Can Popcorn Be During Pregnancy:
There is no harm in consuming Popcorn as long as it is done in limited quantities. Here is a list of causes why you shouldn’t eat excess Popcorn during pregnancy.
- One important thing to keep in mind is that most of the popcorn is microwave made. Hence these should be consumed in limited quantities.
- Regular Popcorn is usually tasteless. Salt will be added to the Popcorn for a better taste. Excess consumption of Popcorn increases the salt content in the body, which in turn increases blood pressure; high bp is dangerous for the pregnant lady.
- Popcorns are available in various flavours and add-ons. Hence watch out for the flavours and add-ons before consuming. Some of them may be harmful to the baby and the pregnant lady.
- Make sure that the Popcorn is well-cooked. Raw Popcorn may not get digested properly.
See More: Is it Safe to Eat Ice Cream During Pregnancy
How To Eat Popcorn:
Usually, adequately cooked Popcorn should be consumed. As far as possible, avoid Popcorn that is made from a microwave. Purchase raw popcorn only from certified vendors. While preparing popcorn, you can add some butter, salt, and flavours for good taste. Add only a limited amount of butter, salt, and flavours. Excess of these may harm the baby. Keep an eye on the toppings and flavours that you add. Some pregnant women may experience some allergies, and nausea with some toppings.
Best Popcorns To Eat During Pregnancy:
There are wide varieties of popcorn available in the market. We will look into the best ones to eat during pregnancy.
A. Yellow Popcorn:
This is a common type of Popcorn that is available in every grocery store. This is the most inexpensive popcorn available. This type of Popcorn should be eaten only in moderate quantities.
B. White Popcorn:
As the name suggests, this is white in colour. The size of this Popcorn is similar to that of the yellow ones, but it is more tender than the original one.
C. Mushroom Popcorn:
These are big, fluffy, and billowy. These popcorns are ideal for chocolate coatings and toppings.
If you still have that lingering question, is Popcorn safe during pregnancy? It is perfectly safe to eat Popcorn during pregnancy in small amounts. But the thing that needs to be remembered is that this snack is to be well cooked and avoid the one made from a microwave.
See More: Benefits of Cashew (Kaju) During Pregnancy
Q1. Can I eat Popcorn during early pregnancy?
Ans: Popcorn during early pregnancy is usually safe, but you need to consume it in limited quantities. Popcorn helps in aiding digestion and increases bowel movement. Hence if you face any constipation issues during early pregnancy, make a place for this snack in your diet.
Q2. Can I eat microwave popcorn during pregnancy?
Ans: It is generally not advisable to eat microwave popcorn during pregnancy. As far as possible, avoid eating Popcorn, which is microwave made.
Q3. Can you eat Popcorn during breastfeeding time?
Ans: It is absolutely safe to eat Popcorn during breastfeeding. Popcorn is just baked corn with fibre content in it. This does not affect the milk supply to the baby.
Q4. Is movie theatre Popcorn safe for pregnant women?
Ans: Theatre popcorn is quite safe for pregnant women as long as it is not microwave-made. Make sure that the person cooks the Popcorn in front of you to give him cooking instructions regarding the salt and butter.
Disclaimer: The content present in this article is just suggestions, and the website is in no way responsible for the side effects it may cause. It is better to consult a doctor before you consume anything, especially when you are pregnant.
