When the good news of having a new little member in the family in the next couple of months spreads in the family and friends, it brings a wave of happiness. Along with this, you will be flooded with a number of do’s and don’ts, especially in the eating segment. There are many food items that your near and dear ones suggest you consume during pregnancy and dry fruits and nuts are on the top of the list. Pistachio, commonly known as pista, is one such nut that is known for its amazing benefits for pregnant women. This article sheds light on the safety and benefits of eating pista during pregnancy.
Pistachios are crunchy delicious nuts packed with many essential nutrients and provide countless benefits to would-be mothers and their unborn. These nuts grow on small trees and shrubs in the sub-tropical and tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the USA. You can consume these nuts in different forms. You can have them raw or add them to baked foods, soups, and salads. But before you start including this item in your diet chart, you should know the benefits, side effects, nutritional value, and the proper method to consume it.
In This Article
- Safety of Eating Pista During Pregnancy
- Nutritional Value of Pista
- Top 6 Benefits of Eating Pista During Pregnancy
- Harmful Effects of Eating Pistachios When Pregnant
- How to Include Pista in Diet For Pregnant Women?
- FAQ’s
Safety of Eating Pista During Pregnancy
It is absolutely safe to eat pista during pregnancy. As per a report published by UC Davis Health System, pistachio or pista is considered safe during pregnancy. In fact it is great for you. Pista is a great source of iron, protein, fiber, potassium, folate, and calcium which are essential nutrients for your baby’s growth. But like all other foods, moderate consumption can bring the best benefit, and overconsumption may lead to certain side effects.
Nutritional Value of Pista
Pistachios have a lot of nutritional values and essential elements that are a must for the growth of the fetus. Being a rich energy source and low calory nut, this is ideal for would-be mothers as you can manage your weight by consuming pista. But again, you should eat them in the right quantity and avoid the salted ones.
Top 6 Benefits of Eating Pista During Pregnancy
Pistachios are an amazing source of many vital elements that the unborn needs through their mother. When a pregnant woman consumes healthy foods like pista, all the essential nutrients reach the fetus through the umbilical cord. One serving of pistachios is enough to cater to all your daily requirements of iron, potassium, and folate.
Some of the major benefits that eating pistachios during pregnancy can bring to you are
1. Boosts Fetal Development
Pistachios contain a great amount of protein which is essential for the muscle and tissue development of the unborn baby. Also, as per reports, by regulating the blood sugar level, pistachio helps you to keep your weight under control.
Keep lipid levels in proportion: Pistachios are rich in monosaturated fatty acids which are great to balance the lipid level of your body by reducing the bad cholesterol level and improving the good cholesterol level. As per the National Library of Medicines report, pistachios are good for improving glucose metabolism and maintaining lipid levels.
2. Improves Immunity
You need to include foods in your pregnancy diet that improve your immunity level. Pistachios are rich in antioxidants like carotene, polyphenolic substances, vitamin A, vitamin E which are all immunity boosters.
3. Controls Blood Pressure
Different studies by NCBI prove that the moderate consumption of pistachios can help you to control blood pressure and thus is beneficial during hypertension. Also, it has good effects on endothelial function and reduces cardiovascular risks.
4. Prevents Anaemia
During pregnancy, it is common to have a deficiency of iron in the blood. During this time, your body needs more blood than usual. Being rich in iron and other essential elements, pistachios are beneficial in the formation of red blood cells thus preventing anaemia.
5. Reduces Constipation
Pistachios are packed with fiber and due to this, these nuts are great for easy digestion and regular bowel movement. Constipation is a common problem that pregnant women face regularly. Pista can give you great relief from this irritating problem.
6. Improves Neuropsychological Functioning
During the early phase of pregnancy, folic acid plays a vital role in the improvement of neuropsychological functions of the unborns. Deficiency of the vital element can lead to complexities during pregnancy and serious birth defects. Since pistas are high in folic acid, having them during pregnancy is vital
Harmful Effects of Eating Pistachios When Pregnant
Along with numerous benefits, pistachios have some side effects as well. Therefore, before adding it to your pregnancy diet, you should consult with your gynaecologist.
- The fructans present in pista can cause digestive issues such as diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, pain in the abdomen, and flatulence.
- Like other nuts, pistachios also contain anacardic acid which may cause allergies. So, if you are allergic to some other nuts, you should take precautions when eating pasta, or you can avoid them completely.
- Roasted nuts in salt make it tastier but increase the sodium content which can increase the blood pressure level. It is therefore good to eat raw pista rather than roasted ones.
How to Include Pista in Diet For Pregnant Women?
Pistachios are great ingredients to enhance the taste of many regular foods. You can use the below idea to include pista in your diet.
- Eat them raw as a snack
- Include pista in a fruit salad or other baked items like cakes
- Grind pista into a powder and use the powder as a coating during the preparation of crunchy snacks
- Put it on top of frozen oatmeal, yogurt, or cereals to prepare a notorious breakfast or dessert
- Use pista, saffron, cardamom, and almonds to prepare a milkshake
Pistachios are great items to have anytime, anywhere. They are rich in energy and other essential nutrients that give a boost to your baby’s growth and immunity. But like all other foods, you should consume them in moderation. Include this nut in your daily diet and enjoy your pregnancy.
FAQ’s
1. Is it Safe to Eat Pistachios During Pregnancy?
Yes, eating pistachios during pregnancy is completely safe. It is a healthy and tasty ingredient that you must include in your pregnancy diet.
2. How Many Pistachios Can I Eat Per Day?
You may consume approximately 24 pistachios per day. Excess consumption can lead to several side effects.
3. What Are The Major Side Effects of Eating Pistachios During Pregnancy?
The list is not so big, but you must know them before adding them to your diet. Excess consumption may lead to digestive issues. Also, the presence of anacardic acid can cause some allergic reactions.
