5 Reasons to Eat Banana's During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is among one of the most beautiful phases in a woman’s life. But every family member will start giving you expert tips on how to have a smooth delivery and a healthy baby. Some might even say that you shouldn’t eat bananas as it interferes with the natural, vaginal birth But let me tell you, that’s a myth, which has been busted by science! Various studies have proved that bananas can be really beneficial during pregnancy.

Benefits of Eating Bananas In Pregnancy-time

Our nutritionist, Huda Shaikh, tells you more nutritional facts of bananas, How bananas overcome the problem of constipation? Here’s why a banana a day can keep you and your baby healthy. Read on... 

#1. Banana is A Great Source of Iron:

Iron is important for every woman but it becomes even more essential during pregnancy. It has been seen that one of most commonly encountered prenatal issues is anemia, which is due to a low intake of iron and folic acid rich foods.

How Can You Incorporate Iron in Your Diet?

• You need to include more iron rich foods to your diet, like spinach, sunflower seeds, nuts, dried fruits, soyabeans, lentils and eggs
• Banana being rich in iron, can facilitate production of haemoglobin which reduces the symptoms of anemia, and keeps you and your baby

#2. Rich in Folic Acid:

Folic acid is also very essential for every woman during pregnancy; doctors put you on folic acid supplements almost as soon as they learn you’re pregnant. Folic acid is required for the development of the nerves, brain and spinal cord of the growing fetus. Low levels of folic acid can also lead to anemia.

What Can Happen if your folic acid levels are low?

• It can lead to premature birth and birth defects: Luckily, folic acid present in bananas can be absorbed easily by the fetus
• It can help in stabilizing blood pressure: Fluctuating blood pressure levels are a cause of concern for doctors worldwide. Prolonged high BP can lead to preeclampsia and other complications, so maintaining optimum blood pressure levels is important to curb anxiety and stress. 

How Can Bananas help?

• Banana is a great source of potassium, and hence can help in stabilizing levels really well
• They can help to relax muscles, thereby reducing muscle cramps, or leg and back pain in pregnant women

#3. Bananas Can Relieve Constipation:

Pregnancy-time constipation is a major issue faced by many pregnant women. The emotions tend to become irregular and many women experience enormous amount of discomfort due to it.

How to overcome the problem of constipation?

• In order to overcome the issue of bloating and to regularize bowel movements, women should increase the intake of banana during pregnancy
• Bananas being high in fibers, can facilitate easy passage of stools by increasing bulk and thereby reducing the pressure on the uterine muscles

#4. Great Source of Calcium:

All of us know calcium while pregnancy is very important for the development of healthy bones and for optimum growth of the fetus.

How does the banana help?

• Banana is a rich source of calcium
• Consuming bananas daily can help in increasing the levels of calcium, and also help the development of healthy bones of your fetus

#5. Reducing Morning Sickness: 

During the first trimester; pregnant females suffer from nausea and vomiting due to a surge of hormones in the body. It is considered to be a good sign as it shows that the placenta is developing. However, morning sickness can be very irritating as well!

What do Bananas Do?

• Bananas can help in reducing the symptoms of morning sickness, and hence a woman needs to eat a banana daily during the first 3 months of pregnancy

Did you go bananas when you were pregnant? Or did you stay away from them? Let us know in the comments below!