Pregnant women have to make a lot of decisions for their own health and that of their baby’s. And the very first thing that puts them in a dilemma is diet! With pregnancy, you always get a lot of advice regarding every single thing, and it’s easy to find yourself lost in the confusion. And you ultimately arrive at the conclusion of doing your own research. So let us make your job a little easier. If you’re wondering whether to eat jackfruit during pregnancy, here is everything you need to know.
Is it safe to eat jackfruit during pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe to eat jackfruit during pregnancy in moderation. Jackfruit is a heat-producing food, so we would advise you to not binge on it. But the occasional few pieces can be included in your diet.
Benefits
The fiber in the diet
During pregnancy, your uterus pushes against the organs in your abdomen. It leads to slowing down the process of digestion, further leading to constipation. A lot of women choose to take laxatives to help with the problem, but the inclusion of fiber-rich food in your diet can help regulate your bowel movements. Jackfruit is rich in fiber and can be of good use to you.
Good source of potassium
Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are complications of pregnancy where women have high blood pressure. Potassium helps in lowering the blood pressure and jackfruits are rich in potassium.
Source of Vitamins
Jackfruits are a rich source of vitamins A, B, and C which helps in fetal growth and development. Eating jackfruit during pregnancy also helps your immune system.
Magnesium content
The magnesium content of jackfruit is another reason to opt for the food. Magnesium promotes bone health of both the mother and fetus and also reduces the risk of osteoporosis in women.
Balancing hormones
Hormonal imbalances are very common in pregnancy but can also lead to gestational complications if not managed at time. Jackfruits are a great way to do that.
Mood swings
Mood swings go hand in hand with imbalanced hormones. Eating jackfruit chips can surely help you get them under control, and they are a better alternative than the junk food you get outside.
Dose of energy
Jackfruits are rich in natural sugars like sucrose. So whenever you are feeling extra lazy, pop in a few pieces of jackfruit in your mouth for an instant dose of energy.
Nutrition
100 g of jackfruit contains
| Calories | 95 kcal | Fiber | 1.5 g | Vitamin C | 13 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 23 g | Fat | 0.64 g | Potassium | 448 mg |
| Protein | 1.79 g | Vitamin A | 110 IU | Sodium | 2 mg |
Side effects
Allergic reactions
If you have never tried jackfruit before or are prone to allergies do not eat a large quantity of jackfruit suddenly. An allergic reaction during pregnancy is to be avoided.
Blood sugar level
Since it is a rich source of natural sugars, diabetic mothers should not eat jackfruit as it can mess with your blood sugar level. Even if you don’t have diabetes, excessive consumption of jackfruit can lead to diabetic conditions during pregnancy. Women suffering from gestational diabetes shouldn’t eat jackfruit.
Nausea and vomiting
In pregnancy there is already a lot of morning sickness. If you have a sensitive digestive system, jackfruit can upset your stomach and even cause stomach ache.
Blood disorders
If you suffer from blood coagulation disorders, jackfruits are better to be avoided in your diet.
High fiber
If your bowel movements are fairly regular, eating jackfruit, which contains an excess of fiber, can cause diarrhea. Jackfruit consumption should be less or none in cases of diarrhea.
Heat content
Jackfruit is known for its high heat content. Eating jackfruit constantly in a high amount can cause deleterious effects on the fetus. So make sure you never eat jackfruit excessively during your pregnancy.
Does it cause a miscarriage?
Since jackfruit is a heat-producing food, many believe that it causes harm to the fetus and the women may even miscarry, but that is absolutely untrue. Many obstetricians call it a myth and consider jackfruit to be safe for eating during pregnancy in moderate quantities. If you have any health disorders however, we would advise you to check in with your doctor as to whether eating jackfruit during pregnancy can be safe for you and your baby.
Selection and ways to consume
- If you wish to store the jackfruit, buy one that is not completely ripe and it should be heavy with dark green coloured hard thorns. But if you wish to consume it immediately, pick one with softer thorns. Don’t buy jackfruits which are too lightweight or if you see any spots or bruises on the outer covering. Jackfruits can be refrigerated to keep them fresh and make them last longer.
- While cutting open the jackfruit you should oil your hands as they have give out sticky sap. Remove the yellow pieces of fruit and take out the seeds in them.
- Jackfruit pieces can be consumed raw as they are sweet and succulent. They can also be used to make smoothies or mixed in with oatmeal, cereal, or yogurt.
- Jackfruit can be used in curries and soups. The raw jackfruit tastes great with savoury dishes.
- Jackfruit chips are a healthy snack to consume during pregnancy and can be consumed sometimes when you crave for junk food.
- Eating jackfruit during pregnancy is a choice in which moderation is key. While it contains many nutrients, care must also be taken to note their risks and control the consumption of jackfruit in your diet accordingly. Keeping a diet chart and tracking the number of meals and its constituents can help you in figuring out exactly how much of this fruit is good for you during this period.
Jackfruit lovers can rest easy. If you like the fruit, there is no need to avoid it unless you have health issues or notice irregular changes in you after consuming the jackfruit. Consult your doctor in such cases. Ultimately, moderation is the thing to be kept firmly in your mind, when it comes to jackfruits.
