Horse gram is counted among superfoods due to its very high protein content. Though not as popular as the black gram, green gram or red gram, the horse gram is no less in nutrition. You can imagine its power as it is fed to a racehorse before racing. And from this, it gets its name as horse gram. But this protein-rich lentil is not only for horses, but human beings can also get its benefits. Especially when you are pregnant. We explain the benefits and risk factors of having horse gram during pregnancy.
This lentil typically grows in the tropical region of India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. In India, you can find this widely used in South Indian cuisine and is known by different such as, hurali gram, madras gram, or kulthi bean. Due to its high nutrition, people from all over the world are beginning to consume it in boiled, sprouted, and powdered versions. So let’s know the pros and cons of horse gram during pregnancy.
In This Article
- Video of Horse Gram During Pregnancy
- Can You Consume Horse Gram During Pregnancy?
- Horse Gram Nutritional Value
- Top 10 Health Benefits of Having Horse Gram During Pregnancy
- Risks of Having Horse Gram During Pregnancy
- How to Add Horse Gram to Your Pregnancy Diet?
- FAQ’s
Video of Horse Gram During Pregnancy
Can You Consume Horse Gram During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a phase where you must pay special attention to what you eat and drink. Your diet will play a major influence on your pregnancy and postpartum health as well as that of your baby. One important thumb rule for pregnant women is that everything must be consumed in moderation and the same applies to eating horse gram during pregnancy.
Horse gram is a high protein food and can help pregnant women meet their daily requirement of protein. At the same time, this legume can increase your body heat tool causing irritation during pregnancy. Thus, often doctors advise avoiding excessive horse gram during pregnancy. But if you consume horse gram in moderation then there is no problem. Especially if you are pregnant during winter then some warmth is not bad. Even in summer, you can add some horse gram with your regular lentil or daal.
You can seek your doctor’s suggestion for the recommended daily intake of horse gram when pregnant.
Horse Gram Nutritional Value
Horse gram is an excellent source of carbohydrates and protein. It is also rich in calcium, iron, and molybdenum. Horse gram contains essential B vitamins that ensure normal metabolic functions of cells. You should have enough fibre in your diet while pregnant. Horse gram is full of fibre to keep your pregnancy constipation away.
The antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids of horse gram help to keep you strong and vibrant though your pregnancy. The unprocessed raw horse gram can lower blood pressure by reducing insulin resistance and gastric emptying time. Because of its manifold benefits horse gram is also used in Ayurveda.
Top 10 Health Benefits of Having Horse Gram During Pregnancy
There are many benefits of horse gram for pregnant women. We list the top 10 health benefits of having horse gram when pregnant.
1. Improved Blood Count
As horse gram is full of iron it is good for enhancing your blood count. During pregnancy, your body produces almost double the amount of blood, and hence having horse gram can be beneficial for you.
2. Healthy Pregnancy Weight Gain
This protein and phenol-rich lentil can help you gain weight to carry and sustain your baby till the end of pregnancy due to its high protein and fibre content.
3. Keeps Constipation at Bay
Constipation is common among pregnant women and happens due to the hormonal imbalances. The high fibre content of horse gram will reduce constipation and improve digestion.
4. Immunity boosting
The healthy horse gram is an immunity booster meal. During pregnancy, you need a lot of strength and immunity. The various nutrients in this legume improve your immunity levels and provide the necessary stamina through the pregnancy period.
5. Keeps Fever Away
Pregnancy is a delicate phase where you must avoid falling sick as far as possible to ensure that your fetus stays safe. Due to its immunity-boosting properties, horse gram helps you keep fevers at bay so that you can remain healthy through the duration of your pregnancy.
6. Controls Diabetes
Indian Institute of Chemical Technology scientists found that having unsprouted, raw horse gram after a meal can reduce the glycemic index. Horse gram can effectively slow down carbohydrate digestion and reduce insulin resistance. So, you can prevent gestational diabetes by adding some horse gram to your diet.
7. Keeps Your Body Toxin-Free
The polyphenols and flavonoids of horse gram confer hepatoprotective properties towards the gall bladder and liver. They also help in removing harmful toxins from the body by ensuring proper filtration and purification of blood. Detoxifying your body while pregnant is very much important for you and your baby.
8. Fights Against Asthma, Urinary Problems, and Various Other Diseases
The complexity of pregnancy increases if you get any serious disease alongside. Horse gram is used in traditional medicine to cure diseases like peptic ulcer, bronchitis, jaundice, asthma, menstrual problems, etc. So, including horse gram in your daily routine can keep you healthy from within and make you fit for pregnancy.
9. Makes Your Skin Glow
Many women experience skin-related problems during pregnancy such as dryness, irritation, and itching. The hormonal changes during pregnancy are responsible for skin issues during pregnancy. Eating horse gram or using it in your facial pack can make your skin look fresh and glow. The astringent properties present in horse gram can treat leucoderma too.
10. Reduces Cholesterol
The high fibre content present in horse gram helps reduce cholesterol levels. This is especially beneficial for pregnant women with hypertension and those at a risk for pre-eclampsia.
Despite the many benefits, consuming horse gram is associated with certain risks too.
[Read : Benefits Of Kidney Beans During Pregnancy]
Risks of Having Horse Gram During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, you must consume horse gram in moderation. Overconsumption can lead to certain problems.
We list the risks associated with excessive consumption of horse gram during pregnancy.
1. Digestive Problems
A specific type of carbohydrate, namely raffinose oligosaccharides present in horse gram can induce bloating and indigestion especially if you take it a lot.
2. Heat Producing Food
During pregnancy women, anyway, feel a bit too hot due to the hormonal changes. Taking horse gram in excess will increase body heat and irritation, especially during summers.
3. Allergic Reactions
If you are allergic to the components present in this legume, having it may not be safe during pregnancy. Your body goes through many changes and behaves unpredictably during pregnancy. If you find yourself developing allergies to this food, you must avoid it completely.
4. Presence of Phytic Acid
The phytic acid of horse gram is an anti-nutrient, which means it can inhibit the absorption of certain minerals.
But you can decrease the phytic acid content in horse grams by soaking, sprouting, or cooking them. This will enhance mineral absorption quality too.
Always remember to consult with your doctor about whether you should take horse gram and in what proportion while pregnant. They will be able to guide you properly.
How to Add Horse Gram to Your Pregnancy Diet?
Horse gram is a daily part of a meal in the southern part of India. But nowadays people from all over the world are introducing it to their diet. Here are some tasty ways you can start your journey with horse gram
- Horse gram gravy or soup
- Powdered horse gram laddus
- Boiled horse gram on salads
- Horse gram rasam or dal
- Sprouted and cooked horse gram as a salad
Horse gram is high in protein and other vital nutrients for you and is good for you during pregnancy given that your body will need a higher nutrition intake. Having said that moderation and the right cooking and preparation methods are the key to safely consuming horse gram during pregnancy.
[Read : Is It Safe To Have Sprouts During Pregnancy?]
FAQ’s
1. Can a Pregnant Woman Eat Sprouted Horse Gram?
Yes, pregnant women can eat sprouted horse gram. Sprouted horse gram is extremely beneficial during pregnancy. The sprouting process improves the digestibility bioavailability. Remember to stick to moderate consumption.
2. Does Horse Gram Cause Miscarriage?
No horse gram is not that dangerous to cause a miscarriage. It is safe if you take it in moderation. But if you do not want to take any risks then just skip horse gram for the first trimester to avoid any risks.
3. Can We Eat Horse Gram Daily?
Yes, you can take horse gram on daily basis. It is a wholesome healthy meal. You can have it as a savoury dish, in your salads or as a dessert (laddu).
4. Is Horse Gram Heat Or Cold?
Horse gram is a highly nutritious lentil, and is necessary to be included in the pregnancy diet. However, horse gram is a heat-generating food, and having it in excess can increase hot flashes and irritation during pregnancy, especially in summer.
5. Can You Eat Horse Gram At Night?
Horsegram is an excellent source of antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Eating overnight-soaked horse gram the next day morning can enhance kidney health.
Read Also: Black Gram (Urad Dal) during Pregnancy
