Let’s know about Pistachios during pregnancy. During pregnancy, you must have come across a lot of advice on do’s and don’ts during this period, of which food related is a major part. Pistachios provide health benefits in many ways. Raw pistachios are also very crunchy and tasty and are also used in cooking. Pistachio trees are actually small shrubs and are found more in the sub-tropical region of Asia, Africa and America. Pistachios are the oldest nuts and are believed to have been cultivated in 6000 B.C. already exists.
Is it safe to eat pistachios during pregnancy?
Eating pistachios in moderation is considered safe during pregnancy. Eating too many pistachios during this period also has some side-effects. That’s why it should be consumed in moderate quantity only. Pistachios offer immense nutritional benefits and are believed to have health benefits even when consumed in moderation during pregnancy.
Nutritional Value of Pistachios
Apart from being rich in energy, pistachios are very low in calories and also contain a lot of other nutrients. The nutritional value of 30 grams of pistachios is about 6 grams of protein, 2.8 grams of fiber and about 12.7 grams of fat. There are about 500 calories per 100 grams of pistachios.
Benefits of eating pistachios during pregnancy
A moderate amount of pistachios can meet your body’s regular requirements of iron, calcium, folate and potassium during pregnancy. All these minerals are very important for the development and growth of the child growing in the womb. Some of the benefits of eating pistachios during pregnancy are as follows;
- Pistachios are rich in protein, which is essential for the development of the baby’s muscles and tissues.
- The monosaturated fatty acids present in it increase the level of good cholesterol and reduce the level of bad cholesterol. This keeps the lipid levels under control.
- Pistachios also contain antioxidants, such as vitamin ‘A’, vitamin ‘E’, carotene and polyphenolic compounds. These antioxidants help in boosting immunity.
- The copper content in pistachios helps maintain red blood cells during pregnancy.
- Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce joint pain and swelling during pregnancy.
- Pistachios also contain fibre, which relieves common stomach problems of a pregnant woman, such as constipation.
- It also contains omega 3 fatty acids which help in the development of the baby’s brain.
- Pistachios also contain some B-complex, such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, vitamin B6 and folate, which help in the development of the fetus.
Apart from this, pistachio also removes problems like liver diseases, jaundice and anemia.
Side-Effects of Eating Pistachios During Pregnancy
There can be many side-effects of eating pistachios during pregnancy, so it is advised to discuss with the doctor before including it in your diet. Eating pistachios during pregnancy can also cause the following problems, let us know;
- Pistachios contain anicordic acid and this chemical compound can cause allergic reactions.
- If you are allergic to other nuts, you are likely to be allergic to pistachios as well.
- The fructans in pistachios can also cause digestive problems, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence.
- It is beneficial to eat pistachios raw because roasting pistachios increases the amount of sodium in it. This can increase blood pressure which is harmful for pregnancy.
- It is also said that pistachios have heating properties which can have adverse effects on the health of a pregnant woman.
How to include pistachios in your diet
There are many ways to include pistachios in your diet during pregnancy, here are some useful tips;
- You can eat it raw as a snack or add it to any recipe.
- You can also add pistachios to your fruit salad for crunch and variety.
- If you want, make pistachio powder and dip chicken breast in it before grilling or frying.
- Frozen curd, oats or cereal can also be taken with pistachios in breakfast or dessert.
- You can also add pistachios, saffron, cardamom and almonds to milkshakes. It can reduce your mild appetite.
- If you want to eat something cold in summer, then you can also make Kesar Pista Kulfi in very less time.
Frozen Yogurt with Pistachios Recipe
It is also good for health and you can enjoy it in summers without worrying about the health of the unborn child. Let us know how to make this delicious dish;
Material
- Frozen yogurt – 1 cup
- Pistachios (crushed) – 1/2 cup
- Banana (mashed) – 2
- Honey – 1/2 cup
- Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
Method:
- Combine all the ingredients except pistachios in a bowl and mix until smooth. If you want, you can also use a blender, but the frozen yogurt becomes lighter by churning or mixing it by hand.
- Add 3/4 pistachios to it and mix in such a way as to make 8. By doing this, this mixture will be well mixed and the air will remain in the middle.
- Now put this mixture in a pan and add some crushed pistachios on top.
- Seal the pan tightly with plastic wrap or cling film to prevent ice from forming inside.
- Keep this mixture in the freezer for 3-4 hours or till it is ready.
- Once done, take it out from the freezer and serve. If the mixture seems too hard, keep the pan out of the fridge for about 10 minutes and then eat.
Like many things, eating pistachios in excess is harmful during pregnancy. By eating pistachios in moderation, you can enjoy many of their benefits without any side effects. Therefore, unless the doctor forbids you to eat pistachios, you can eat these nuts in moderation daily.
