Let us know about Amla during pregnancy. During pregnancy, every activity of a mother-to-be has a direct or indirect impact on the baby. A woman’s eating habits greatly affect the health and development of her unborn child, therefore, it is very important for you to follow a balanced diet rich in nutrients. Before making any food item a part of your diet plan, know its benefits and harmful effects properly, because it will not only affect you badly but it can also affect the unborn child and hence you should Special care should be taken regarding your food and drink.
Is it safe to eat amla during pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe to consume amla during pregnancy. Amla is a fruit which tastes sour-sweet and is green in colour. This fruit is rich in nutrients, especially vitamin C, which makes this fruit a very good antioxidant. Amla is used as a major ingredient in most Ayurvedic medicines and is also a recommended food item for pregnant women. The vitamins and fiber present in it make it a great option for pregnant women.
benefits of eating amla during pregnancy
Amla is commonly available in all regions of India and can be easily preserved in powder form without reducing its medicinal and nutritional properties. Eating amla during pregnancy has many benefits for both mother and child. The benefits of consuming amla are mentioned below:
1. Increases Immunity
Amla acts as an excellent antioxidant and it improves your immune system. The Vitamin C content present in it helps in fighting common flu and urinary tract infections which are common during pregnancy. Another advantage of this is that it is also helpful in breastfeeding after delivery, which also helps in increasing the immunity of the child through mother’s milk.
2. Helps prevent constipation
Due to its high fiber content, amla helps in regularizing bowel movements and preventing constipation during pregnancy.
3. Improves digestion
Amla helps in reducing problems like indigestion and acidity by stimulating the gastric juice in the stomach and helps in proper digestion of food.
4. Helps regulate blood pressure
The abundance of Vitamin ‘C’ in amla helps to dilate the blood vessels, which, in turn, helps in establishing and maintaining normal blood pressure.
5. Provides relief from fatigue and stress
Its sweet-sour taste helps keep you from feeling nauseated, which is very common in the first trimester of pregnancy. Drinking amla juice or eating it raw reduces morning sickness and generates energy in the body.
6. Helps Control Edema
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, amla helps in reducing the swelling that occurs in the hands and feet during pregnancy and this swelling is called edema.
7. Detoxes the body
Amla is a very good antioxidant and the high water content in it promotes the frequency of urination. It helps in removing radicals and toxins from the body.
8. Lowers the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy
Even women without diabetes can develop a condition called gestational diabetes during pregnancy. It occurs when the hormones of pregnancy interfere with the insulin levels in the body. Amla has anti-diabetic properties, which help reduce the chances of gestational diabetes in the mother.
9. Increases the memory power of the child
Consuming amla juice helps in increasing the memory power of the child.
10. Maintains Oral Health
The vitamin ‘C’ content in this fruit maintains oral health during pregnancy, helping prevent conditions such as bad breath or bleeding gums. It helps prevent tooth decay with its calcium content.
how much amla can you eat during pregnancy
During pregnancy, it is safe to consume one or two fresh gooseberries daily. If you are consuming Amla in powdered form, then a teaspoonful of powder is ideal.
Side effects of consuming amla during pregnancy
Amla is one such fruit, which provides a lot of benefits to pregnant women. However, if you consume it in excess during pregnancy, it can lead to indigestion, constipation, diarrhea and upset stomach, it can also dehydrate you. That’s why you are advised to consume Amla in limited quantity.
Can Amla juice be drunk during pregnancy?
Drinking amla juice is safe during pregnancy. However, you should avoid buying packaged or canned amla juice available in the market, as it is sweetened with unnatural sweeteners and added food preservatives and is not recommended for pregnant women.
You can extract the pulp of amla at home and mix it with water to drink. An ideal amount is to consume around 5 to 10 ml of amla juice per day.
Are ripe gooseberries safe for pregnant women to consume?
It is best to eat amla raw to take advantage of all its nutrients. Cooking gooseberries usually reduces its nutritional properties and hence, is not that much recommended. If you cannot eat raw gooseberries, consume fresh gooseberry juice or mix gooseberry powder with water. It is best to drink mixed.
When to Avoid Eating Amla During Pregnancy
Though amla does not have any side effects, but if not consumed in moderation, you may suffer from cold or cough, so it is better that you do not consume too much of this fruit. Amla has a cooling effect on the body and if you have a cold, avoid consuming it or else it can aggravate the cold. You should also avoid consuming amla when you are suffering from diarrhoea.
Ways to include amla in your diet
Some women find it tasty to eat raw amla while some do not like its bitter taste and prefer to consume amla in some other form. Here are some tips for including amla in your diet:
1. Amla pickle
You can keep amla pickle and eat it with breakfast or dinner.
2. Gooseberry Salad
Adding some chopped pieces of gooseberry to your normal salad also suppresses its bitter taste.
3. Fresh Juice
Extract the pulp from the fruit, mix it with water and drink it in the form of juice. You can also grind amla in a juicer and enjoy it as a fresh amla drink with mint leaves.
4. Sweets
You can consume Amla mixed with honey as a sweet. You can eat this nutrient-rich dessert after a meal.
5. Mixing Amla in any dish
If you do not like consuming raw amla, you can add it to your dishes like sambar, vegetable curries, or korma to change its taste and reap the benefits of amla.
Is It Good to Drink Canned Amla Juice During Pregnancy?
It is better that you avoid drinking packaged juices, as they may contain unnatural sweeteners and preservatives. If you do not consume fresh juice and want to opt for packaged juice, then choose a trusted brand.
frequently Asked question
1. Can I have dried gooseberry during pregnancy?
You can consume amla pachak or amla supari, which is found in dried form, during pregnancy. It has almost all the benefits found in fresh gooseberry. You can also easily make dry amla at home.
2. Can I eat salted amla during pregnancy?
It is best to limit salt intake during pregnancy and avoid highly salty foods, as consuming too much salt adversely affects the fluid-electrolyte balance, which can lead to stomach problems.
Amla is very good for pregnant women, just follow the precautions mentioned and consume it.
