Nobody really understands why the cravings for food grow especially for those who are pregnant. It seems plausible that cravings may be due to a lack of food or an increased need for some vitamins and minerals. Often, pregnant women crave for typical foods like chocolate cake or strawberries, and sometimes there is a desire to consume odd combinations of foods or a type of food you don’t really want. Ice cream, chocolate, fish, dairy products and fruits are their common food cravings. But do you consider chia seed juice as part of your cravings and diet?
Chia seed benefits
Some of you are knowledgeable about chia seeds being rich in fiber. Fiber is one of the things you and your child can’t live without because of its health benefits. It helps to keep your immune system up and it gives you and your baby the defense against illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Fiber improves your skin’s health and helps you lose weight. Because fiber stays longer in the stomach than other foods, this feeling of completeness can remain much longer with you, allowing you to eat less. To ingest less, eating plenty of fiber will push food more easily through your digestive system. You will also have more energy to exercise as you fill up high-fiber foods like vegetables.
Other than fiber, chia seeds are full of important nutrients despite their small size. These are an excellent source of antioxidant-rich omega-3 fatty acids and provide protein, iron, and calcium. You want your body and child to have a balanced supply of nutrients throughout the day when you are pregnant. Eating 5 to 6 smaller meals a day, adding 300 calories to your usual diet, and making those extra calories count, is the best way to achieve that. Here are the 6 health benefits you can enjoy by adding chia seeds to your diet.
It provides a boost in energy. Exercising is certainly beneficial to the pregnant body, and if you are mature, eating chia seeds before exercising can provide an additional energy boost. Research from the Strength and Conditioning Journal showed that chia seed intake improved exercise performance in excess of 90 minutes.
Omega-3s for heart disease prevention. Omega 3 fatty acids can help fight inflammation in the body and prevent heart disease by reducing blood pressure, heart rate and improving the functions of the blood vessel. For the mother and the baby, proper blood circulation during pregnancy is particularly important. Chia seeds, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, and walnuts are the main sources of plant-based omega-3s.
Rich in antioxidants.
Chia seeds are so high in antioxidants that they can be stored without any problems for up to four years.
Lost nutrients will be replenished. Pregnancy taxes the body very much. Chia seeds provide essential vitamins and minerals to make your pregnancy healthier. Nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, potassium, and iron are particularly high.
Blood sugar will be balanced. High blood sugar makes pregnancy unhealthy. It was linked with risks such as high birth weight. Chia seeds are rich in fiber which helps slow absorption of blood sugar and regulate levels of blood sugar.
Reduced pain in constipation. The good news is that chia seeds are a great natural cure for constipation filled with fiber that can help prevent this problem of nutrition. Expecting mothers highly experienced constipation during their early pregnancy especially when they are in their third trimester and eating chia seeds can be particularly helpful during this time.
Homemade ingredients for chia seed drinkÂ
1 cup of water
Include 3 tablespoons organic chia seeds
1 cup of the juice you prefer
Warm your tea, remove the chia seeds and place them in a cup. Remove when the seeds of chia are evenly dissolved and start swelling. Cover and put the cup in the fridge. Let there be sitting overnight. Your chia seeds should be blown up in size and fully gelatinous the next day.
Now your “wind” is supposed to be a thick jelly. Stir well 1 cup of your chia seed gel with 1 cup of your favorite drink.
What are the precautions of having chia seeds as part of your diet?
Chia seeds are usually safe to consume during pregnancy as long as you eat them in moderation. While eating chia seeds, some people may experience stomach discomfort if they do not normally eat high-fiber foods or if they eat very large amounts of fiber-rich grain. And let’s be honest, this is the last thing you want to go through during your pregnancy, especially if you still struggle with morning sickness.
Be sure to drink plenty of water with chia seeds, especially the raw variety, as the seeds can absorb their weight in water several times. How many seeds of chia a day are safe? Study shows that it is considered a healthy daily amount to eat one to two tablespoons of chia seeds a day.
You may have a mild reaction on your tongue or lips such as a tingling or itchy feeling. Or you might have a stomach upset that looks like morning sickness. Pay attention to how you think, and if you suspect a food allergy, stop eating the seeds.
For many pregnant women, chia seeds are healthy, but it does not hurt to talk to your doctor before the seeds are integrated into your diet.
Final thoughts
During pregnancy, having chia seeds as part of your diet can help boost your energy as well as your baby. It can improve blood sugar regulation, prevent iron deficiency, and reduced the pain of constipation. Chia seeds can be eaten whole and fresh, but it’s best to first soak them to make them easier to digest and properly absorb their nutrients. You can incorporate chia gel as a base to your favorite smoothies or protein shakes. Water-soaked chia seeds are easier to digest, and the body absorbs and assimilates the nutrients better. It will also increase hydration and retain electrolytes, especially during exercise. But don’t forget that you are pregnant and must take these in moderation as it can affect the growth of your baby if you overdo it.
Read also:
- Old-Fashioned Multi-Grain Pregnancy Diet
- Healthy Delicious Popsicles to Try During Pregnancy
- How Does Eating Potatoes Affect Every Pregnant Woman?
