During pregnancy, women often crave for something special and pasta comes first. Although pasta is the most popular dish in Italy and pasta made with white sauce or red sauce is liked by everyone in the world. But is it safe to eat pasta during pregnancy? Can it cause allergies or digestive problems in pregnant women? Or does it pose any danger to the unborn child? Let us know how much pasta is safe to eat during pregnancy and how much is not.
Can You Eat Pasta During Pregnancy?
If made with the right ingredients, pasta can be rich in vitamin A, vitamin B, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and folic acid. However, it is also important to know that pasta also contains lectins and phytates, due to which the child is deficient in zinc and magnesium. Apart from this, it is not at all safe to eat pasta made of white flour during pregnancy, so you can eat pasta made of whole grains at this time.
Which pasta is better?
Pasta is delicious and cheap as well as very easy to cook. Although it is not very nutritious, but does it mean that pasta should not be eaten? No, there are many options available today that can increase the nutritional value of this dish. Following are some of these, let us find out;
1. Whole wheat pasta
Whole wheat pasta is healthier than white flour pasta as it contains more fiber and protein. It can reduce the risk of diseases such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. However, people who are allergic to gluten or have celiac disease (immune reaction) should avoid whole wheat pasta.
2. Quinoa Pasta
This pasta is made from quinoa flour by grinding the seeds. It is rich in protein, iron, magnesium and is also gluten-free. The properties of quinoa pasta make it one of the healthiest and best of all types of pasta. It is also said to lower blood sugar, insulin and triglyceride (a type of fat present in the blood) levels.
3. Spelled Pasta
Spelled is a type of grain that is similar to wheat but is not actually wheat. Spelled pasta is high in fiber and protein. There is also a sufficient amount of gluten present in it. Therefore, people who are allergic to gluten should not eat spelled pasta. However, people who are mildly intolerant to gluten can consume it.
4. Brown Rice Pasta
If you have bowel related problems (IBS), such as bloating, pain, diarrhea, constipation, and so on, then you should eat brown rice pasta. This gluten and F.O.D.M.A.P. (fermentable olisaccharides, monosaccharides, disaccharides and polyols). If you have bowel related problems then you should try F.O.D.M.A.P. May have difficulty absorbing K molecules.
Does eating pasta have health benefits for pregnant women?
If made in the right way and with the right ingredients, pasta is also nutritious and can fill you up. Following are the 7 benefits of this excellent dish, let us know;
1. Pasta is rich in fiber
If you cook multi grain pasta with a variety of vegetables like spinach, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and so on, then this dish can become rich in fiber and minerals. Green vegetables are rich in nutrition which is good for your health during pregnancy.
2. It’s also gluten-free
If you have been advised not to eat gluten, then you can eat brown rice pasta and quinoa pasta. As mentioned earlier it does not contain gluten and is safe for people who suffer from IBS or other stomach problems.
3. It controls blood sugar and blood pressure
It is said that eating quinoa pasta, whole wheat pasta and sprouted grain pasta can help control blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Consuming quinoa pasta has been shown to lower the risk of obesity in pregnant women, as well as lower the risk of heart disease and gestational diabetes.
4. Pasta is rich in folic acid and iron
Whole wheat pasta is rich in folic acid and iron, which are essential nutrients for the overall development of the unborn baby.
5. It Improves Bowel Movement
Whole wheat and quinoa flours are rich in fiber. Eating green vegetables mixed with it improves bowel movement, which can also cure common pregnancy problems, such as constipation and piles.
6. It Increases Energy
Pasta also contains carbohydrates which help in increasing the energy levels in pregnant women and keep them active.
7. It keeps away from infection
Vitamin ‘A’ present in pasta prevents many infections during pregnancy.
Risks of Eating Pasta During Pregnancy
Eating pasta during pregnancy can also cause you some problems, let us know;
1. Contains Phytates and Lectins
Pasta contains phytates and lectins. Phytates block the inside of the body, which can make it difficult for you to absorb zinc and magnesium, two essential nutrients during pregnancy. Due to lectins, toxins from unhealthy food get mixed in the blood in the body.
2. Pasta also contains gluten
Many types of pasta also contain gluten. Therefore, people who are allergic to gluten or suffer from IBS and celiac disease should not eat pasta. Eating too much gluten can cause many problems in women and it can cause allergy symptoms in them.
3. Eating it leads to weight gain
Too much weight gain during pregnancy can lead to complications in labour. Therefore, pregnant women should not eat foods that lead to weight gain, such as pasta.
4. Contains Iron
Eating iron-rich foods provides relief from anaemia, but on the other hand, excess iron can also lead to constipation, which can lead to piles.
5. Eating Pasta Increases Blood Sugar
If you are suffering from diabetes then eating white flour pasta can increase the amount of sugar in your blood. That’s why you should eat only quinoa or whole wheat pasta.
How to reduce pasta cravings during pregnancy
Almost all women have cravings during pregnancy. Although pasta is very high in carbohydrates and gluten, it should not be eaten mostly. If you are not able to control your cravings at all, then here are some tips for you, let us know;
- You can also cook this dish with less pasta and more vegetables. In this way, you will be able to reduce your cravings and eat healthier.
- Instead of eating a lot of pasta at once, eat it little by little.
- During pregnancy, eat red sauce pasta or simple olive oil instead of white sauce pasta. It will be both healthy and tasty for you.
- During pregnancy, instead of eating white flour pasta, make whole wheat pasta or quinoa pasta and eat it.
healthy pasta recipes for pregnant women
Here are two types of pasta recipes that you can eat to reduce your cravings. Let us know how to cook them;
1. Prawns and Tomato Pasta
If you are a non-vegetarian and are a big fan of prawns, then you can also prepare this delicious dish. Its ingredients are also easily available and making it is also very simple.
Material
- Whole Wheat Pasta/ Quinoa Pasta/ Brown Rice Pasta – 200 grams
- Olive oil – 2
- Garlic – 4 – 5 black
- Shrimp/Prawns (cleaned and deveined) – 100 grams
- Tomato (chopped) – 3 -4
- red dry chili (optional)
- black pepper (crushed)
- coriander leaves (chopped)
- Butter – 2 tbsp
- salt to taste
Method
- Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions in a large bowl.
- After cooking, filter its water and keep the pasta aside.
- Now put olive oil and butter in a pan and keep it on the flame. Then crush the garlic and fry it in a pan. After the garlic is cooked, add prawns to it.
- Cook the prawns for a while and then take them out of the pan and keep them aside.
- Now add chopped tomatoes, dry red chili and crushed black pepper to it.
- After the tomatoes are cooked, make a sauce-like consistency and add cooked pasta and fried prawns to it.
- Cook the pasta well in the sauce and then after adding salt, stir the whole pasta well.
- Finally turn off the flame and serve after adding some coriander to it.
2. Veg Pasta
Being light and simple, this dish is perfect to eat during pregnancy.
Material
- Quinoa Pasta/Whole Wheat Pasta/Brown Rice Pasta – 4 cups
- Broccoli – 4 – 5
- Carrot (chopped) – 1/4 cup
- Red capsicum (chopped) – 1/4 cup
- Onion (chopped) – 1/4 cup
- Garlic – 3 – 4 buds
- Zucchini (chopped) – 1/4 cup
- Cherry tomatoes – 1/2 cup
- Green peas – 1/2 cup
- Parmesan cheese (grated) – 1/2 cup
- Olive oil – 4 – 5 tbsp
- salt to taste
Method
- First of all, boil the pasta by pouring water in a large pot. After boiling, keep it in cold water.
- Then put oil in a big pan and keep it on the flame. Once the oil is hot, add crushed garlic to the pan and cook it till the raw smell goes away.
- Add onions to it and fry till light brown. Then add broccoli (half-cooked), carrot, red capsicum, mint and zucchini and stir well.
- Let it cook for some time till all the vegetables are soft and then add cherry tomatoes to it.
- Add pasta and salt to the pan and mix all the ingredients well.
- Finally add grated cheese and serve.
Like all foods, pasta should be eaten in moderation during pregnancy. Consuming it in excess can lead to obesity, high blood pressure or increased blood sugar, which can lead to problems related to the position of the baby in the womb or during labor. Controlling your eating habits at the time of pregnancy will result in a healthy baby.
