In pregnancy, women are always advised to be careful about what they eat. Their diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables. But many pregnant women have a question whether they can eat tomatoes during pregnancy. Let us tell you.
Can tomatoes be eaten during pregnancy?
Tomatoes are not only safe to eat during pregnancy, but also have many health benefits. However, pregnant women should keep in mind that excess of anything is bad.
Nutritional Value of Tomato
Tomatoes contain vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, sodium and many minerals.
Benefits of eating tomatoes during pregnancy
1. Increases Energy
Tomato is a good source of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates help pregnant women overcome lethargy and aid in the functioning of the digestive system. Carbohydrates also help the fetus develop healthily.
2. Improves Immunity
As mentioned above, tomatoes contain Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron, while vitamin A improves immunity, fights infection and promotes tissue repair after delivery.
3. Prevents anemia
These fruits also contain vitamin K, which prevents anemia and reduces the risk of hemorrhage.
4. Improves digestion
The fiber found in tomatoes keeps the digestive system healthy and strong.
5. Prevents congenital malformations
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes, has been shown to protect babies from cell damage, preeclampsia, and birth defects.
6. Promotes Heart Health
The nicotinic acid found in tomatoes lowers bad cholesterol and keeps the heart healthy during pregnancy.
7. Increases blood circulation
Tomato can purify the blood and improve blood circulation to different parts of the body.
8. Prevents Cancer
Lycopene can also fight cancer-causing radicals, thus protecting pregnant women from cervical cancer, rectal cancer, etc.
9. Helpful in Managing Gestational Diabetes
Regular consumption of tomatoes reduces the oxidative stress of gestational diabetes.
10. Promotes healthy development of the fetus
Vitamin C, which is found in abundance in tomatoes, is helpful in the development of the skin, bones, gums and teeth of the unborn child.
11. Prevents UTI
Since tomatoes contain a lot of water, it increases urination and reduces urinary tract infections.
Risks of Eating Tomatoes During Pregnancy
While tomatoes are safe for pregnant women to consume in moderation, but if consumed in excess, they may lead to the following complications.
- heartburn
- acid reflux
- bladder problems
- kidney problems
- migraine
Tips for using tomatoes
- Never buy tomatoes kept in the refrigerator.
- Always buy tomatoes that are available loose rather than packed in a box.
- Tomatoes should be firm and bright red.
- Avoid buying chopped tomatoes.
- Ripe tomatoes emit a strong odor when squeezed. Raw tomatoes are hard and cannot be squeezed.
- The best place to buy tomatoes is a farmers market.
Recipes
Make these delicious tomato recipes today.
1. Tomato Chutney
Idli, dosa or vada can be eaten with this chutney.
Material:
- Tomato – 2
- Ginger chopped – 1/2 inch
- Dry red chili – 2-3
- Urad Dal – 1 tsp
- Black pepper – 4-5
- Cloves – 2-3
- Asafoetida – 1 pinch
- Water (for grinding) – 2 tbsp
- Oil – 1/2 tsp
- salt – as needed
For tempering:
- Oil – 1/2 tsp
- Dry red chili – 1
- Curry leaves – 7-8
- Mustard/Rai – 1/2 tsp
- Fenugreek seeds – 1/2 tsp
- Asafoetida – 1 pinch
Method:
- Roast urad dal in a pan till it turns light brown.
- Add red chillies, cloves, black pepper and ginger to it.
- Add chopped tomatoes, asafoetida and salt.
- Fry till tomatoes become soft.
- Cool this mixture and grind it.
- Add water if necessary.
- Put mustard/rai in a separate pan and let it crackle.
- Mix the tempering ingredients and fry.
- Add tomato paste.
- Add salt if necessary.
- Eat with idli or dosa.
2. Tomato Dal
This is a recipe from Andhra Pradesh.
Material:
- Arhar Dal – 1/2 cup
- Oil/Ghee – 2 tbsp
- Mustard/Rai – 1/2 tsp
- Cumin – 1/2 tsp
- Onion, chopped – 1/2 cup
- Curry leaves – 10-12
- Green chili, chopped – 1
- Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp
- Tomatoes, chopped – 2
- Red chili powder – 1/4 tsp
- Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
- Asafoetida – a pinch
- water – as required
- salt – as needed
Method:
- Soak Arhar Dal for 15-20 minutes, then drain the water and keep it aside.
- Add oil or ghee to the pressure cooker.
- Add mustard seeds and let them crackle.
- Add cumin and let it crackle too.
- Now add chopped onion, curry leaves and green chillies and fry.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and fry till it turns golden.
- Add tomatoes, red chili powder, turmeric, asafoetida and salt.
- Then add dal and water and mix well.
- Let 5 to 6 whistles come.
- Eat with roti or rice.
Tomatoes help pregnant women deal with the stress of pregnancy. They are also beneficial for the child growing in your womb.
