Okra also called ladies’ finger, is a popular warm-season vegetable. It is an excellent source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins. This vegetable is boasting of viscous juice used for thickening the saucers. It appears a significant crop in several countries due to its increased nutritional value. Most of the parts of this plant are used that include seeds, flowers, fresh leaves, stems, pods, and much more. It has a mild taste and unique texture. The most impressive feature of this vegetable is that it provides an extensive array of benefits to your health. It is the main reason why okra is taken during pregnancy.
As the power-packed culinary and medicinal vegetable, okra appears as a perfect boon for the pregnant ladies. It is obtainable at any time of a year, but the right products are there during early spring. With more nutritional goodness, it can be used as a segment of a pregnancy diet in different parts of the world.
What makes okra suitable for pregnant ladies?
Is Okra ideal for pregnancy? Yes, it is because this nutritious and health pod vegetable is great to take during pregnancy. It is not only rich in fiber but also lets consumers acquire lots of healthy content. It includes Vitamin K, C, and B3, carbohydrate, folic acid, phosphorus, potassium, beta-carotene, and calcium. You can consume it in different forms, including pickled, boiled, fried, or stewed. It is because you are capable of benefit from nutrients of this vegetable.
Advantages of this vegetable during pregnancy
The nutrients available in this vegetable are genuinely beneficial for pregnant women. It also helps in the good development of your baby. If you desire to know the significant benefits offered by okra, you can look at the following points.
- An excellent source of Vitamin C
It is a well-known fact that Vitamin C aids in a smooth absorption of iron content that promotes the development of your baby. Along with this, it will increase your immunity and promote the growth of capillaries, skin, and bones in your baby. A bowl of this vegetable brings roughly about 13mg vitamin C. During your pregnancy, this vitamin also aids in the growth of blood vessels, bone, and skin of your baby. An excellent and considerable dose of Vitamin C helps to eliminate cardiovascular issues.
- Rich in folate
Ladies’ finger is rich in folate. It will reduce the danger of various congenital disabilities in your baby. Most significantly, it will increase the overall metabolism of fat, carbs, and protein, as well as helps synthesize red blood cells and DNA. It is highly advised for women to consume 400mg folate every day. It is essential for the healthy development of your infant in your womb. If you meet this folate requirement, you are less prone to growing neural tube problems in your child.
- Rich in antioxidants
There are a lot so antioxidants available in this vegetable that includes Vitamins E and C, phenolic compounds and carotenoids. They are used to promote the immune system of your baby. Hence, it will reduce the possibilities of cardiovascular issues and other diseases. It is good news for everyone that this vegetable has an increased level of antioxidants than other vegetables. It is a beneficial feature of okra that aids in restricting the capabilities of free radicals in affecting the cell tissues and DNA.
- Boasting of dietary fiber
It is rich in both insoluble and soluble fiber. It works nicely in abating the constipation problems during pregnancy. When it comes to soluble fiber, they function well to lower your blood cholesterol and also treats diabetes. On the other hand, fiber promotes your digestion process. Another important function of fiber is that it eases out the bowel issues that are common during pregnancy.
- Brings you a peaceful sleep
Okra is boasting of essential amino acids called tryptophan that improve your mental health and helps you to acquire an excellent sleep. It is a well-known fact that sleep is a common problem during your pregnancy. Hence, consuming this vegetable can ease these things.
- Removes toxins from your body
Ladies’ finger helps you to eliminate toxins from your body. The fibers and mucus in this vegetable help you to stabilize your blood glucose level.
- Control the hair fall problem
During pregnancy time, women usually complain of additional hair fall. It is controlled lit by taking okra.
Additional details of okra
It is not just loaded with many powerful nutrients but also low in calories. This feature makes okra a perfect choice of food for even expectant mothers. The overall goodness of this versatile vegetable is acquired while consumed in an essential manner. Taking an additional amount of this vegetable during pregnancy time may create certain complications. It is highly recommended to consult the health care professionals regarding the perfect dose of okra.
The proper dosage helps you to enjoy your pregnancy period safely. Along with satiating the taste buds, this vegetable also brings lots of advantages to both pregnant women and their babies.
Tips to add okra in your pregnancy diet
It is essential to know that there are several ways in that pregnant women can include okra to their pregnancy diet.
- You can try to prepare different dishes by using okra, including stir-fried okra, masala okra, and much more.
- When it comes to Kurkuri Bhindi, it is one of the healthier and delicious starters
- It helps you to satisfy the taste buds. You can slit this vegetable into many thin slices and dip them in the Bengal gram batter before deep-frying it
