Brinjal is a delicious vegetable that can be consumed boiled, baked, fried or even in the form of chips. Apart from being delicious, brinjal has many health benefits like boosting the immune system and controlling cholesterol. But to know how much brinjal consumption during pregnancy is right and how much is not, read this article completely.
what is eggplant
Brinjal is a popular vegetable which is also known as eggplant or brinjal, brinjal is a plant that is grown extensively for its fruit. Brinjal is egg shaped, shiny in appearance and purple in colour, brinjal is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals and is popular all over the world for its various health benefits.
can you eat brinjal during pregnancy
Is Eating Brinjal Beneficial During Pregnancy? The answer is very simple – it is recommended for pregnant women to consume it due to various health benefits. The amount of vitamin ‘A’ and vitamin ‘E’ present in brinjal helps in the development of the fetus and the folic acid found in it increases the development of red blood cells of the baby. Read on to know all the benefits of eating brinjal during pregnancy!
Health Benefits of Eating Brinjal During Pregnancy
Here are some of the benefits of eating brinjal during pregnancy:
1. It improves the immune system
Vitamin ‘C’ is found in abundance in brinjal, which is known to increase the body’s immunity to avoid various diseases. Eating brinjal is also considered good for pregnancy as it keeps the health related problems of the pregnant woman at bay, keeping both the mother and the fetus safe.
2. It reduces the risk of hypertension
Women are more susceptible to hypertension and high blood pressure problems during pregnancy and that is why they are advised to eat brinjal. Brinjal is rich in nutrition-rich thiamine, bioflavonoids and riboflavin, which also help in controlling hypertension. Brinjal helps in controlling blood pressure levels, maintains a healthy heart rate and reduces the risk of all the health problems that a woman may experience during pregnancy.
3. Helps in proper development of the baby
Vitamin ‘A’, Vitamin ‘E’, ‘B’ complex and niacin are found in sufficient quantity in brinjal. All these nutrition-rich sources help in the proper development of the foetus.
4. Helps Control Cholesterol Levels
Eggplant is believed to lower the level of bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and help increase the level of good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The properties of brinjal control cholesterol levels, help reduce heart related problems and improve the overall heart health of a pregnant woman.
5. Treats Digestive Problems
Brinjal is rich in fiber which helps in processing food and waste in the intestines and reduces digestive problems in pregnant women. Consuming brinjal also eases bowel movements and helps in curing constipation – a major problem faced by women during pregnancy.
6. RBC (red blood cells) increase
Red blood cells (RBCs) are essential for fetal growth, as they help in the development of nerves, brain cells and muscles, and ensure adequate iron levels in both the mother and the fetus. Are. Eggplant contains folate, which is converted into folic acid. Folic acid is considered the basic source of red blood cell production, which is why it is an important food item for pregnant women.
7. Helps Regulate Electrolyte Balance
Brinjal is rich in various minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium, copper, calcium, phosphorous, zinc and manganese. Together, these minerals help regulate the body’s electrolyte balance and regulate blood supply to both the mother and the fetus.
8. Helps control gestational diabetes
Pregnant women are more likely to get gestational diabetes. In such cases, it becomes essential to control the blood sugar levels and brinjal helps in doing so perfectly. Brinjal helps in controlling any kind of blood sugar fluctuations, thereby controlling its levels.
Side Effects of Consuming Brinjal During Pregnancy
There are many benefits of eating brinjal, but sometimes it can have some side effects too, let us know:
1. Premature labor can happen
Like any other fruit or vegetable, it is essential to wash eggplant thoroughly before cooking. Eggplant grows in soil that contains toxoplasmosis, which causes preterm labor during pregnancy. That’s why it’s important that you wash eggplant (and any other vegetable you consume) thoroughly before cooking.
2. Brinjal can cause allergies
In some cases, eating excessive brinjal can cause allergic reactions in pregnant women. Even if you have been allergic to brinjal before, this time also eating brinjal can cause mild itching or rashes. Remember, if you are allergic to brinjal, do not consume it at all.
3. Acidity can happen
Brinjal – Known to induce high levels of acidity in pregnant women, which can cause them anxiety and discomfort. To avoid high levels of acidity, pregnant women are advised not to consume brinjal in large quantities.
Ways to include brinjal in diet
After discussing the advantages and disadvantages of brinjal, let us know how brinjal can be included in the diet of a pregnant woman. To get maximum benefits of brinjal, include it in your diet in the following ways, let us know;
- Indian households have a variety of recipes for preparing brinjal dishes that are very healthy and tasty. You don’t need to do anything to make great brinjal dishes, you can even make a simple bharta or curry that can be eaten with roti or rice.
- If you want to cook and eat any recipe of brinjal in a different way, then cut thin pieces of brinjal and fry it lightly in some olive oil and you can also add other vegetables to it. Enjoy the best taste of roasted brinjal by adding salt, pepper and herbs as per taste.
- You can cook brinjal in a different way. For this, first cut the brinjal into thin slices, wrap in breadcrumbs and fry in olive oil and then enjoy the taste of this new dish by adding some creamy sauce, like cheese or homemade mayonnaise on top.
things to remember
Here are a few things to keep in mind while consuming brinjal during pregnancy:
- It is advisable to wash brinjal thoroughly before cooking as raw brinjal can carry diseases caused by bacteria and parasites.
- If you have ever been allergic to brinjal, then you should not eat brinjal during pregnancy.
- Eating properly cooked brinjal does not cause digestive problems.
Apart from curing gestational diabetes and improving the circulatory system, brinjal has many benefits. However, brinjal can also lead to various health issues like premature delivery, acidity etc. Because of these problems, brinjal should be eaten in moderation. If you have had problems with brinjal many times before, then do not consume it at all during pregnancy.
