There is no fact or research-backed reason why a pregnant woman should avoid eating strawberries during pregnancy. In fact, a lot of pregnant women always ask this question about whether it is safe to eat strawberry during pregnancy, because they might have heard a contrary opinion about certain fruits while pregnant.
The straight-forward answer to this questions is ‘Yes’! It is very safe to eat strawberry during pregnancy and this sweet fruit offers a lot of health benefits that would support your body’s functions and keep your baby healthy, and we are going to uncover them all in this post.
There are also old wives’ tales that suggest that your pregnancy cravings can determine the sex of your baby. This article will provide you with all you need to know regarding adding strawberries to your diet plan and what your cravings for this fruit say about your baby.
Is It Safe To Eat Strawberry During Pregnancy?
We have said that it is safe to take strawberry while pregnant. But the thing is that there are so many benefits that comes with strawberry consumption, and this is what a lot of people who eat strawberry do not even know, including pregnant women.
It is important to know the benefits of the fruit which would help motivate anyone into eating this fruit when they crave it more importantly when pregnant. Read this article to the end to find out more information about strawberry and pregnancy, how much to consume a day during pregnancy and its benefits.
Is Strawberry Good For Pregnancy?
Strawberry is one of the healthiest fruits that can be eaten during pregnancy. Yes, it is good for pregnancy as it contains several essential nutrients including Vitamin C, iron, and folic acid.
It is also a wonderful substitute for unhealthy processed snacks. The pregnancy period comes with heavy cravings and strawberries come in handy. It can serve as a great snack owing to its sweet, satisfying taste.
Thankfully, you can never have too many strawberries. There is also the freedom to try as many recipes as you desire. Strawberry Juice or Strawberry Milk often comes with a natural taste and is good for pregnancy. A lover of this fruit can have this close to help with hydration and have its nutrients complement those gotten from main meals.
Although, people with underlying health issues like a thyroid problem or pollen food allergy should avoid this fruit as it could alter normal body functions.
Also Read: Best Beans to Eat During Pregnancy
Strawberry During Pregnancy First Trimester
The first trimester of pregnancy is difficult and overwhelming. A lot of uncomfortable changes start taking place very quickly and sometimes the right fruit can ease this trouble.
Nausea and even vomiting are regular occurrences in the first trimester. This is usually followed by a reduced appetite or loss of appetite. Your strawberry milk or milkshake or juice can help with hydration in this situation. You can also choose to make a salad with your strawberries.
Heartburn, constipation, and food aversions are also common problems experienced in the first trimester. The pain that comes with heartburn can be lessened by eating a strawberry or drinking juice made from them.
There is also the tendency to dislike foods you enjoyed before pregnancy. If you still find yourself loving this fruit during pregnancy, feel free to eat as much as you desire. It also helps with bowel movements and in relieving the difficulties caused by constipation.
Strawberry During Pregnancy Second Trimester
The second trimester just like the first comes with its unique challenges. One of the most common is skin change. From stretch marks to colored patches and darkening of the skin, these changes though reduce with time are troubling.
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C which is vital for the maintenance of skin health. It can not stop the changes from happening but it sure does help improve your skin’s condition.
Nasal problems are quite common too. This is also due to pregnancy hormones. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids like milk and juice as they help in managing this. Juice or milk made from or made with strawberries will have a high Vitamin C composition.
Some pregnant women suffer from loose gums and toothaches partly due to the changes in the body and also constant vomiting. Vitamins like Vitamin C help lessen the pain associated with this and strawberries are a good source.
Dizziness spells and general fatigue and tiredness can leave you feeling lazy and behind on your schedule. A cool glass of strawberry juice could be the little boost that will help you feel stronger and better.
While pregnancy changes are the common culprit behind leg cramps, dehydration and vitamin deficiencies are contributing factors. Strawberries are rich in vitamins and adding this fruit to your diet plan should serve as a supplement for some of these needs.
It is very safe to eat strawberries during your second trimester and it provides a lot of health and nutritional benefits.
Also Read: Can Blueberries Make Your Baby’s Poop Black
Strawberry During Pregnancy Third Trimester
The third trimester of pregnancy is usually the most exhausting. Pregnancy symptoms like heartburn last very well into this phase. Doctors often recommend taking citrus fruits and juice to reduce the discomfort this causes. Taking strawberries in the third trimester can as well do the job.
Frequent urination is another third-trimester problem. The baby’s head now rests very close to your bladder hence increasing the pressure you feel. You may also be left feeling constantly dehydrated. Water, juice, or milk can help with hydration and you can choose to use strawberries in making your juice or milk.
How To Wash Strawberries When Pregnant
Strawberries are only safe for eating when they are washed, handled, and preserved properly. This is because improper washing or handling could leave room for the harboring of germs that would cause disease when ingested. This would put you and your baby at risk.
We have to wash fruits properly to shield ourselves from foodborne diseases. Strawberries can be washed with vinegar, baking soda, or salt. Here are steps to follow to properly wash your strawberries when you are pregnant.
Using Salt:
- Get a bowl of water
- Ensure the water is big enough to have the strawberries submerged
- Add a teaspoon or less of salt to the water depending on its quantity
- Place the strawberries in the bowl and leave it for a few minutes
- Take it out and then wash it properly under running water
Using Baking Soda:
- Get a bowl and add water to it
- Add a teaspoon or less of the baking soda to the water
- Put the strawberries in the bowl and leave it for a few minutes
- Take out the strawberries and wash them well under running water
Using Vinegar
- Get a bowl of water
- Allow the water to get to half of the bowl or more so that the strawberries can be submerged in it
- Add a cup of vinegar to the water
- Add the strawberries to the water and leave for a few minutes
- Take out and rinse properly under running water till its cleaned
Also Read: Best Food for Third Trimester Pregnancy
Benefits of Strawberry During Pregnancy
Strawberries are readily available fruits that are tasty, creamy, and sweet. It’s almost impossible to not love this fruit as there are plenty of reasons why you should eat strawberries during pregnancy.
Some of the benefits of eating strawberries during pregnancy include:
- Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that is needed by the mother and baby during pregnancy. Vitamin C boosts immune system function.
It also aids the absorption of iron for the production of red blood cells. It plays a vital role in collagen building and collagen is important for the baby’s bone and skin development.
- Serves as an Antioxidant
Strawberries and most other berries are excellent antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the cells from free radicals that could damage them and it also shields the body cells from inflammation.
- Rich in Folic Acid
Folic acid is an integral component needed for blood formation. A sufficient amount of folic acid could prevent issues like iron deficiency anemia and other postpartum blood shortage-related complications.
It also helps the baby develop properly and protects the baby from developing neural tube defects.
- Regulates Blood Pressure
Strawberries contain potassium which plays a role in blood pressure regulation.
How Many Strawberries Should Be Eaten a Day During Pregnancy?
When it comes to finding the perfect number, your body is your guide. There is no fixed number of strawberries you should eat daily during pregnancy. Although, some research had put the perfect number at 8 strawberries a day. There is some evidence to support this as scientists noticed that this amount of servings per day meets the body’s needs.
Is Strawberry Jam Safe During Pregnancy?
Strawberry jam is processed from fresh strawberries and they are often more sugary. This is because the Jam has to be properly preserved. It’s okay to eat strawberry jam during pregnancy but you should look out for the brand and the quality standards upheld in processing the product.
The sugar content is another thing to have in mind. Strawberries are naturally sweet and extra sugar may mean too much sugar, especially for women who have gestational diabetes. Just check in with your doctor to know if you can have this.
Is Strawberry Yogurt Good For Pregnancy?
It’s okay to eat strawberry yogurt as a snack while you are pregnant. However, you have to only go for yogurts that were made with pasteurized milk as unpasteurized milk is very likely to contain harmful bacteria. The sugar content of the yogurt should be minimal too so you don’t end up consuming too much sugar.
Also Read: Best Yogurt for Pregnancy
Craving Strawberries While Pregnant – Is It a Girl or a Boy?
Sorry to burst your bubble but your cravings have nothing to do with the sex of your baby. So, simply craving strawberries while you are pregnant cannot be an indicator that your baby is either a girl or a boy. To confirm that, you would have to opt for a scan or wait till delivery. The stories around cravings and babies’ gender are all myths and old wives’ tales.
However, your cravings could be an indicator of what your body and your baby’s body needs. Perhaps vitamins like Vitamin C or minerals like potassium or compounds like Folic acids. If you find yourself craving strawberries, ensure you eat to your fill because that’s what you should be doing, giving your body what it needs.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a wonderful journey and the three trimesters come with unique challenges including cravings. Strawberries are healthy fruits that can be used to satisfy your pregnancy cravings. They are sweet and can be eaten in different ways. Craving strawberries tells nothing about your baby’s gender but something about the nutrients your body needs.
