Nothing matches the joy and wonderful experience of being pregnant with a life growing inside you. During pregnancy, it is imperative to take adequate care of your health and be extra cautious about your diet. This will help the expecting woman to breeze through her pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. Is eating kidney beans during pregnancy a good idea? Read on.
Items that are packed with proteins are a must during this period and kidney beans are one such item that is loaded with all the necessary nutrients. Also called the “superfood of pregnancy “, this wonderful bean is not expensive and can be included in your daily diet.
In This Article
- What Are Kidney Beans?
- Why Should Kidney Beans Be A Part Of Your Pregnancy Diet?
- 10 Health Benefits Of Eating Kidney Beans During Pregnancy
- Hazardous Effects Of Kidney Beans During Pregnancy
- FAQ’s
What Are Kidney Beans?
Kidney beans, so named due to their resemblance to the kidney in shape and color, are a variety of the common bean. They are available round the year, both in canned and dried variants, and are often dubbed as a health superfood. Packed with fiber, low-fat protein, antioxidants, and iron, they are a must-have in the pregnancy diet, especially if you are a vegetarian. Kidney beans can be cooked in a number of ways, can be tossed in salads, and are often eaten boiled.
Why Should Kidney Beans Be A Part Of Your Pregnancy Diet?
It is indeed a wonderful option to fill your shopping cart with lots of kidney beans if you happen to be pregnant, especially during the last two trimesters as these beans are rich in the necessary nutrients which are vital for the baby inside you to grow at a healthy pace. During pregnancy, one requires around 70 gms of protein and this can be derived by consuming around 1 I/2 cups of these beans.
10 Health Benefits Of Eating Kidney Beans During Pregnancy
Following are the top 10 health benefits of eating kidney beans during pregnancy:
1. Loaded With Antioxidants
Kidney beans are loaded with natural antioxidants or Anthocyanins which are excellent for both you and your baby’s skin. As they are rich in antioxidants, they help to avert the chances of the mom to be from developing gestational diabetes
2. Hikes up Your Iron Levels
Kidney beans are ideal to replenish the hemoglobin levels in the system. It aids to get rid of any iron deficit and encourages the cognitive growth of your baby. It also aids in the overall development, growth of your fetus and even promotes the placenta to develop well
3. Contains Traces of Amino Acids
The good news is that kidney beans have elements of around 8 amino acids, which are vital for the preparation of protein in your system.
- These vital amino acids are ideal to combat a variety of diseases and infections, thereby building an excellent immunity system
- The proteins that are generated from the above-mentioned amino acids build an excellent foundation of your fetus’s body cells and for the mom to be too
4. Controls Cholesterol
Kidney beans have traces of dietary fiber, which is extremely helpful in regulating levels of cholesterol in your blood during pregnancy
5. Gets Rid of Bile Acids
The bile acids present in your intestine merge along with the dietary fiber present in the kidney beans flushing away the extra fat from your system
6. Averts Nausea
Making kidney beans a part of your daily diet is helpful in averting morning sickness or nausea that most pregnant women experience in the morning since kidney beans are ideal to eliminate bile acids.
7. Cleans Out The Sulfites
If you happen to be a lover of delicatessen salads and another such cuisine, there is every chance your system may contain traces of sulfite, which is actually a kind of preservative that is usually added to food.
- As kidney beans are loaded with a mineral called molybdenum, which is an important component that aids in detoxifying sulfites, kidney beans should be made a part of your daily diet
- Eating these beans every day will aid to steer clear of any kind of allergies related to sulfites like increased heartbeat or headaches during this pregnancy period
8. Presence of Copper
Kidney beans also are rich in copper, which is ideal to hike up the enzymatic activity of the system.
- Copper is ideal to lower inflammation present in your system
- Since copper helps to hike up the enzymatic activity of your body, it helps to retain the elasticity of your ligaments, joints, and blood vessels ensuring a healthy and normal delivery. Drinking copper water during pregnancy – find out how safe is it
9. Provide an Excellent Boost of Energy
Kidney beans are also loaded with magnesium, which is extremely helpful in getting rid of the fatigue that one experiences during pregnancy. The magnesium present in kidney beans helps to avert tiredness by helping muscles, blood vessels, and nerves to relax.
10. Averts Conditions Like Asthma and Sore Muscles
Kidney beans are also helpful in preventing adverse conditions like asthma and muscle soreness.
Whatever the benefits mentioned above, one should be extremely cautious not to overindulge in these kidney beans during pregnancy. Overeating these beans can trigger unwanted side effects which may be harmful to the mom and baby too.
Hazardous Effects Of Kidney Beans During Pregnancy
Kidney beans contain purines that are a natural substance that can cause kidney stones or gout if consumed in excess. some other hazardous effects of eating kidney beans during pregnancy are:
- Phytohemagglutinin is another substance present in kidney beans that can affect your cellular metabolism adversely and cause unwanted dangers during pregnancy
- During pregnancy, the digestive system becomes lax and slow, and consuming kidney beans which are high in fiber, can cause intestinal gas and cramping. In such a case, adjust the quantities of your intake
- Stay away from canned kidney beans, and ensure that you always buy quality products when pregnant
Hope you benefit from reading this and if you have any concerns, do share with us.
FAQ’s
1. Will Eating Kidney Beans During Pregnancy Cause Gas?
Yes, they can. You can soak them overnight to reduce the gas formation. Do not overload on them.
2. Can Kidney Beans Give me Constipation During Pregnancy?
No, they aid digestion. However, if you eat too much at one go, it can cause constipation. Moderation is key.
3. Are Kidney Beans Healthy for Fetal Development?
Yes, they are. They contain a lot of protein and iron. Both are crucial for fetal growth.
4. Can Kidney Beans Increase my Protein Intake?
Yes, they can. They are a rich source of protein for vegetarians. Protein is essential during pregnancy.
