Pregnancy is one of the most cherished as well as delicate phases of any woman’s life. And to keep yourself and your tiny one inside you healthy is the topmost priority for you. It is crucial to find a balanced diet and all the suggestions from your near and dear ones make you more confused, isn’t it? Pears also fall into this category. So is it safe to eat pears during pregnancy or not?
A great routine to include fiber into your diet chart during pregnancy is to eat pears regularly. This tropical fruit is full of natural nutrients, antioxidants, and many other essential elements. Still, questions roam around your mind like how many pears you should eat, what are the benefits of this fruit, whether any side-effects are there or not, and how to store it. Well, in this article we will clear all your doubts step by step.
In This Article
- Is it Safe to Consume Pear During Pregnancy?
- How Many Pears Can You Eat During Pregnancy?
- 10 Amazing Benefits of Eating Pear During Pregnancy
- How to Select and Store Pears?
- Things to Bear in Mind When Eating Pear During Pregnancy
- How to Include Pear During Pregnancy in Diet?
- FAQ’s
Is it Safe to Consume Pear During Pregnancy?
As per studies and research, pears are considered safe to eat for expectant mothers. Along with high nutritional elements, this fiber-rich fruit is low in calories and hence, provides a number of benefits to the mother and the baby. But as applicable to all skinned fruits, pears must be washed and cleaned thoroughly before eating. Generally, many harmful chemicals, pathogens, bacteria, and parasites are found on the surface and may cause food-borne diseases.
How Many Pears Can You Eat During Pregnancy?
Pears are considered safe for would-be mothers. It is generally recommended to eat 1-2 mid-sized pears during pregnancy. But it totally depends on your appetite. If you feel full, adjust it according to your hunger. You should avoid over-eating for sure.
10 Amazing Benefits of Eating Pear During Pregnancy
Pears have a host of nutritional benefits and thus pear during pregnancy is considered beneficial:
1. Improves Immunity Against Infection
This tasty fruit provides all the vital nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, potassium that are highly recommended to expectant mothers. These elements help your body to fight against infectious diseases like cough and cold, flu, pulmonary infections, etc.
2. Pear During Pregnancy Gives Relief to Constipation
Fiber is an essential element for the better functioning of our digestive system. The high dietary fiber available in pears helps to ease constipation, which is a common problem found in pregnant women. Generally, iron supplements are recommended to the would-be mother and these supplements make constipation acute. Eat pears with the skin to make the most of it.
3. Optimum Calorie
The benefit of having pears in your diet plan is that this fruit is low in calories but rich in essential nutrients. Therefore, eating pears keeps you full and provides good nutrients but it does not increase your weight. Isn’t it an interesting fact!
4. Antioxidants Help to Fight Disease
Pears have a lot of antioxidants, mostly in the skin. Antioxidants hunt and attack the free radicals present in the body cells and thus, reduce the risk of many diseases like heart disease and cancer. Therefore, enjoy the skin of this fruit and keep diseases away.
5. Beneficial for Your Heart
A natural source of potassium, pears help to improve the heart health of you as well as your baby. Moreover, it is good for the regeneration of cells in your body. Pears also have concentrated flavonols, particularly anthocyanins. Based on the study by NCBI it is found that the Consumption of pears in optimum quantity is linked to less type 2 diabetes and heart stroke.
6. Anti-Vomiting Property
The natural chemicals available in pears help you to get rid of morning sickness. Pregnant women have a tendency to vomit. This results in their low appetite too. Due to its antiemetic property, pears are good to fight against vomiting tendency and in turn, keep your tastebuds active.
7. Efficient Body Functioning
The potassium present in pears balances the electrolytes in the blood and other tissue fluids. This helps the body to function efficiently. The electrolytic balance prevents leg and abdominal cramps too.
Read: [Potassium During Pregnancy]
8. Good for Eye Development
Pears are a good natural source of vitamin A. This is an important vitamin for the visual development of the fetus. This vitamin also helps in the growth of the respiratory system, nervous and circulatory systems of the unborn baby.
9. Rich with Essential Folic Acid
Folic acid plays a crucial role in defect prevention of the natural tube. This is highly recommended in the initial period of your pregnancy (the First Trimester). Having pears in your daily diet can fulfill the requirement of folic acid during this period.
10. Strengthen Your Bones
In this tropical fruit, you will find the two most essential elements of bone development – calcium and copper. Calcium helps in the development of bone and teeth of the fetus whereas copper is an important metal element for the continuous development of the skeletal system. As per health experts, most of the copper content (almost two-third) of our body can be found in skeletons and muscles.
How to Select and Store Pears?
Any food is best to eat fresh. This is true for pears also. But how do you know whether it is fresh or not? Here is some know-how for selecting fresh and good pears.
1. Appearance and Odor
Like all fruits, you must eat fresh pears. The fruit must look fresh and appetizing. Take one and smell it. You can identify the freshness by its fresh fruity smell. If you do not smell anything, that means this fruit has been preserved for a long time – avoid it. There should not be any cut or rotten spot on any area of the fruit.
2. Storage
Keep freshly bought pears inside the refrigerator but separately in a brown paper bag. Pears can absorb the smell of other strongly fragranced food items if you do not keep them apart. To get the best out of the nutritional value of the fruit, you must consume it within 1-2 weeks. Do not keep the fruits in cut condition. Whenever you have a carving for pears, eat it a couple of hours after your meal. The acid content in pears may react and irritate if consumed on an empty stomach.
Things to Bear in Mind When Eating Pear During Pregnancy
The most interesting thing about this tropical fruit is that there are no side effects! But you must consider a few things while adding them to your diet plan.
- Pears are rich in fiber and it is tough to digest. If you are facing digestion problems, it is recommended to avoid eating this fruit.
- In a diabetic condition, do not eat too many pears. The fructose content in pears is not good in high blood sugar levels.
- If you are suffering from a gas problem, you should avoid this fruit. Excess eating may cause bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Do not eat unripe pears as they may cause problems to your stomach.
- Wash thoroughly before you plan to consume. The surface of fruits is susceptible to bacteria, pathogens, and parasites.
- Always eat pears immediately after cutting. Otherwise, it turns brown due to oxidation. Eating pears after your meal helps to stay healthy and provides essential nutrition to your fetus also.
How to Include Pear During Pregnancy in Diet?
Well now that we have told you about the benefits of pear during pregnancy, its time you also found out how to include it in your diet:
- Cut the fresh pears into pieces and bake them with some honey and brown sugar, some cinnamon, and walnuts. Put it in an oven and bake it for 15 minutes more until it turned golden brown. This baked pear recipe is delicious for pregnant women and a good remedy for morning sickness.
- Fresh pear juice is always recommended. You can add some apple or carrot juice with it. Some gingers can also be added to taste.
- Raw pears are the best thing you can add to your pregnancy diet. Enjoy it daily after a couple of hours of your meal.
- Add some freshly sliced pears with apple and other fruit salad and enjoy.
- Add chopped pears into your Oatmeal and enjoy a tasty and healthy breakfast.This fruit is widely available in the market and does not burn your pocket. Do not overeat and you will be totally fine. However, it is always recommended to consult with your doctor before adding it to your diet chart. Do you like the points mentioned in the article? Is it helpful? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
FAQ’s
1. Is it Safe to Eat Pears During the First Trimester?
Yes, it is safe during the initial period of your pregnancy, but in limited quantity. Pears are a natural source of many useful vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which are beneficial during pregnancy.
2. How Many Pears Should I Eat?
The high fiber content in pears is tough to digest. It is better to eat not more than two pears in a day. But it is recommended to consult your doctor first.
3. How to Store Pears?
Pears can be stored in the refrigerator but inside a brown paper separately. This fruit absorbs the strong smell of other items.
Read Also: Grapefruit During Pregnancy-Health Benefits And Risks
