Jaggery, let it be palm jaggery or sugarcane jaggery, is well known for its health benefits. If you are looking for natural and healthy sugar supplements while you are an expecting mom, then you are on the right page. Let us find everything about jaggery during pregnancy.
Jaggery is not only safe during pregnancy, rather it even makes a world of goodness. Jaggery, which is well known as Gur, is a well-accepted ingredient to use in all sorts of desserts. These days, its usage has become more popular as people are getting health conscious.
In This Article
- What is Jaggery?
- Nutritional Value of Jaggery
- Is it Safe to Have Jaggery During Pregnancy?
- When to Start Incorporating Jaggery into the Pregnancy Diet?
- Can Jaggery During Pregnancy Bring Down the Birth Weight of Baby?
- What are the Health Benefits of Jaggery During Pregnancy?
- Easy and Healthy Jaggery Recipes for Expecting Mother
- FAQ’s
What is Jaggery?
Jaggery is made from sugar cane juice, without separating the molasses and crystals. It can be extracted from palm trees as well. When it comes to health benefits, palm jaggery is said to be more beneficial. Jaggery has been used extensively in different parts of Asia, Africa, and some parts of America. This product is mainly used to make yummy dishes and especially sweets.
Nutritional Value of Jaggery
Your sweet tooth will never be a curse if it craves jaggery. Jaggery is jammed with an array of minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, manganese, zinc, and iron. The list doesn’t end here, as it has many vitamins like A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, and many more.
Is it Safe to Have Jaggery During Pregnancy?
Yes, it is completely safe to have jaggery while you are pregnant. It helps you to get rid of iron deficiency. If you add jaggery to your diet, you will not be facing the problem of poor nutrition through your pregnancy journey.
When to Start Incorporating Jaggery into the Pregnancy Diet?
Jaggery is the most natural form of sugar. Therefore, it poses no risks of artificial sweeteners and can be considered as a healthy substitute for white sugar. However, it is usually recommended to incorporate it into a pregnancy diet from the end of the first trimester, after two months of pregnancy.
Can Jaggery During Pregnancy Bring Down the Birth Weight of Baby?
No, it increases the side of the placenta and gives a healthy environment for the babies to grow. In recent years, we have stopped the intake of jaggery. But this natural sugar adds taste to every dish and liquid you have.
What are the Health Benefits of Jaggery During Pregnancy?
Sugar, when taken in its natural form, is not only safe but can also provide you with some health benefits. Let us find out the health benefits of jaggery during pregnancy:
1. Regulates Blood Pressure
Having accurate blood pressure is very important while you are expecting. Take jaggery in your routine and this helps you to get rid of stroke, kidney stones, and other heart-related problems. Jaggery has fewer sodium levels and helps you to get the required goodness.
2. Rich in Antioxidants
Jaggery is rich in antioxidants. Therefore, it helps to prevent cell damages and protect the health of the fetus. Furthermore, antioxidants help to boost the immunity of the mother, thereby helping to keep common infections at bay.
3. Facilitate Digestion
Your every problem with digestion will be curbed as you take jaggery. Natural sugar causes the secretion of digestive enzymes and this triggers proper digestion. The great news is, one can get rid of constipation because of jaggery.
[Read: Pregnancy and Constipation]
4. Brings Down Joint Pain
Jaggery is used to strengthen the bones and joints and taking this is very helpful for pregnant women. Bid adieu to joint stiffness and every bone problem which you are facing with jaggery.
5. Helps in Maintaining Electrolyte Balance
Electrolyte imbalance is the root cause of several serious pregnancy issues. The presence of potassium and sodium in jaggery helps to maintain the electrolyte balance.
6. Provides Benefits of Magnesium
Magnesium is useful for the nervous system, muscle movements, protein formation, and energy creation. It is essential to combat mood swings. Reap all these benefits with the magnesium that is present in Jaggery.
7. Prevents Anemia
Anemia is the most common, yet serious pregnancy issue faced by many expecting mothers. As the blood volume increases up to 50% during pregnancy, a low RBC count can bring about anemia.
Take Jaggery as a substitute for sugar, so that you will never have to face an Anemia problem again. Being rich in iron content, regular consumption of jaggery helps to enhance the RBC count.
[Read: Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy]
8. Cleanses the blood
While you want your little bundle of love to grow in a healthy place, you need to flush toxins and waste from your blood. This is possible by eating jaggery in required amounts.
9. Combats Inflammation
The diuretic property of jaggery helps to fight against inflammation naturally. Thus, your pregnancy pains will be relieved if you incorporate jaggery into your diet.
10. Rich in Folate
If you want to increase the intake of folate in your diet, then stop all your searches and just go with jaggery.
11. Reduces Water Retention
The presence of potassium helps in reducing the water retention problem in expecting mothers. This is, in fact, the most common problem which is faced by everyone.
12. Aids in Enhancing Bone Density
Jaggery, which contains plenty of minerals that entail calcium, magnesium, and potassium, helps in adding much strength to your bones. It is useful in reducing problems even when you get old.
Easy and Healthy Jaggery Recipes for Expecting Mother
Following are some yummy and healthy jaggery recipes you can try during pregnancy.
1. Cashew Bytes
Fry cashews in little ghee and remove them from the gas as the cashews turn to golden color. Try making jaggery syrup with little water. Boil this syrup until you get the typical string consistency. Add the fried cashews, a spoonful of ghee, and a pinch of cardamom powder when you turn off the flame.
2. Kheer
Cook either rice, millet, or broken wheat separately. Add this cooked rice of any variety or millets, broken wheat in milk added with jaggery. Boil the same for 5 minutes and add a spoon of ghee before turning off the flame. Add pan-fried dry fruits for a crunchy taste when you serve. Add jaggery based on the sweetness you wish to enjoy.
3. Divine Combo
Coconut and Jaggery: Fry grated coconut in a spoonful of ghee. Once the grated coconut changes its color slightly, add grated jaggery and mix well. Add cardamom powder and turn off the flame once you get the yummy, aromatic consistency of the mixture.
Jaggery is considered the best option when you like to have sweets. This is even considered as the natural method to get rid of iron problems and other nutrients. So, stop using normal sugar and replace it with jaggery.
[Read : Coconut During Pregnancy]
FAQ’s
1. Is Jaggery a Good Source of Iron During Pregnancy?
Yes, it is. Jaggery is very rich in iron. This can help combat anemia during pregnancy.
2. Can Jaggery Cause Gestational Diabetes?
If you are already diabetic or at the risk of gestational diabetics, then yes. Jaggery has a high glycemic index. it can cause your sugar levels to spike.
3. Can I Replace my Sugar With Jaggery During Pregnancy?
Yes, you can. It is a very healthy choice. However, if you are suffering from gestational diabetes, you need to check with your doctor regarding the quantity.
4. Can I Gain Weight if I Consume Jaggery When Pregnant?
Yes, you can. Jaggery has high calories. So limit your intake.
Read Also: Black Gram (Urad Dal) during Pregnancy- Benefits & Precautions
