Let us know about Pickle during pregnancy. Craving for certain foods is common during pregnancy. Sometimes, pregnant women get cravings for chocolates or sweets and sometimes these cravings are for many different things at once. Pregnancy cravings differ from woman to woman. Due to changes in pregnancy hormones, a woman may also have a craving to eat pickles, which is actually a very common craving during pregnancy. While some women satisfy their craving for spicy food by craving pickles, others find it a way to reduce pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness.
The thing to remember here is don’t let the craving get too overwhelming. It is advised not to eat spicy pickles everyday. Eating in moderation to deal with cravings can prevent any problems later on.
Why do pregnant women eat pickles?
Pickle craving is a very typical symptom during pregnancy. Some people start predicting the gender of the baby based on the cravings of a woman during pregnancy, but there is no scientific evidence to prove this. Pregnant women may crave for pickles due to the following reasons:
- Hormonal effects – Estrogen or other hormones that change during pregnancy affect the senses of smell and taste. Therefore, a woman may find the food items taste different during her pregnancy. Certain foods like pickles can satiate her craving for taste or smell, which is why pregnant women may crave for pickles.
- Emotional impact – At times, emotional stress during pregnancy can also make a woman crave for comfort foods like pickles.
Nutritional facts of pickle
The nutritional value in pickles is not necessarily high. Pickles have very little cholesterol and are also very low in protein and fat. Pickles can be good sources of iron and sodium. It can also provide calcium, dietary fiber and vitamin C. Each pickle can have a different amount of sodium, fat and calories. Therefore, it is important to check the Nutrition Facts statement on the product’s label. Although pickles do not contain many minerals and vitamins, eating pickles with a meal can increase the probiotic content of that meal.
Is it safe to eat pickles during pregnancy?
Consuming pickles in moderation during pregnancy may not be harmful. But it is not advisable to make pickles a part of your daily diet during pregnancy. Excessive consumption of pickles during pregnancy can lead to certain health issues. So, whenever your hands are tempted to reach for the jar of pickles, remember the limited quantity!
Also, during pregnancy, it is important to pay special attention to your diet for your health as well as that of your baby. The nutritional value of pickle is not much. Hence, eat it in moderation. Also, avoid eating very spicy pickles. In case of any doubt, it is best to consult your doctor.
benefits of eating pickles during pregnancy
Pickle cravings are not a new thing for pregnant women. Eating pickles in moderation during pregnancy can prove beneficial in the following ways:
1. May help balance electrolyte levels in the body
Minerals like sodium and potassium are important electrolytes in our body. During pregnancy, your body may require higher amounts of electrolytes to meet the needs of your growing baby. Consuming small amounts of pickles can fulfill this requirement as pickles contain a lot of sodium and potassium.
2. May Increase Digestion
Pickles are believed to improve digestion and even immune function to some extent. Pickle contains healthy bacteria which protect it from spoilage. Therefore, eating pickles can help in increasing the good bacteria in your digestive system, which can help in dealing with a lot of digestive problems.
3. May Help Fight Free Radicals
Pickles are believed to have antioxidant properties. Fruits or vegetables are usually not cooked for pickling, thereby preserving the antioxidants. These antioxidants can thus help protect your body against free radicals.
4. May strengthen your immune system
Fresh pickles of many vegetables and fruits such as amla can provide your body with essential vitamins such as vitamins A, C, K, and minerals such as calcium, iron, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals can strengthen your immunity and reduce the risk of falling prey to diseases during pregnancy.
Risks of Eating Pickles While Pregnant
Almost all types of pickles contain a lot of salt. Salt is added to pickles because it enhances flavor and functions as an anti-microbial agent, and helps preserve pickles by keeping out undesirable fungi, yeasts, and bacteria. However, eating too much salt through pickles during pregnancy can lead to gestational hypertension, which can result in heart attack and stroke.
Also, most Indian pickle types are high in oil, which can increase cholesterol levels and increase body fat during pregnancy. Eating pickles made with chemical preservatives or very spicy can cause bloating or gas in a pregnant woman.
Precautions while eating pickle
It is necessary to take some precautions when craving to eat pickles while pregnant, know what they are:
- Eating too many pickles can lead to dehydration. So make sure you drink plenty of water and healthy drinks to stay adequately hydrated. Additionally, drinking water can also help balance the sodium levels in your body.
- If you are suffering from gastritis while pregnant, it is better to stay away from pickles during this time.
- Eating very spicy pickles should be avoided as it can trigger dysentery and digestive problems like heartburn and acidity.
- The high sodium content of pickles can lead to gestational hypertension, which can negatively affect the development of the unborn child.
- Consuming pickles that contain a lot of chemical preservatives can lead to unnecessary complications during pregnancy.
- Homemade mango pickle may contain listeria bacteria which can be dangerous for pregnancy, so avoid eating mango pickle during pregnancy.
- To prevent excessive weight gain, choose a pickle that does not use sugar.
If you want to eat pickles during pregnancy, remember that it is important to stick to a limited quantity. Having a craving once in a while is not harmful, but it should not be excessive. Pickles, if consumed in moderation, can provide some benefits, but if consumed in excess, can lead to health complications. Also, if you are buying pickles from the market, choose organic pickles that are free from chemical preservatives. Also, before including any kind of pickle in your diet, do talk to your doctor.
