Bananas During Pregnancy

A pregnancy diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as they are full of essential nutrients and are packed with fibre. Fresh fruits provide the baby with minerals and vitamins that are vital for the little one’s growth. Banana is one such healthy, tasty, and nutritious fruit that you should include in your diet.

Medical reports suggest that bananas can relieve morning sickness and constipation in pregnancy. Read on to know more about the benefits of eating bananas during pregnancy.

Banana Is Good For Pregnancy?

Banana is a tropical fruit that contains Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex, minerals, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6, and minerals like manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper, and selenium.

All these nutrients help in the healthy development of the baby. Therefore, banana is good for pregnant women.

According to the National Institutes of Health, pregnant women should eat three to four servings of bananas every day as its excess intake can be harmful.

So, the question is: are bananas good during pregnancy? Yes, there are several health benefits of bananas in pregnancy when consumed in moderate amounts.

Top 9 Benefits of Banana During pregnancy

Can pregnant women eat bananas? Yes, they can but in moderation. Enriched with carbohydrates, bananas should be on the top of your list and can be eaten throughout the pregnancy and gives you the much-needed energy.

Bananas are super healthy options for those expecting mums who suffer from anaemia, as it gives a good boost to the haemoglobin levels. It can also be made into a smoothie and savoured in other different ways. Some of the benefits of eating bananas in pregnancy are:

1. Provides relief from vomiting and nausea: Bananas are a storehouse of Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine that can relieve nausea and morning sickness.

Hence, bananas during the first trimester are strongly recommended.

2. Helps lower the risk of oedema: Many expecting women experience water retention (oedema) in the second and third trimesters of their pregnancies which can lead to swelling of the ankles, feet, and other joints.

It is advisable to avoid consuming salty foods in such cases and include bananas in your diet which can help lower the swelling. Therefore, banana is recommended in pregnancy in the 3rd  trimester.

3. Gives a quick energy boost: Bananas are rich in carbohydrates as they contain simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose that can be metabolised quickly by the body and provide an immediate energy boost.

Therefore, bananas are strongly recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy as you are more likely to be tired now and a quick energy boost can reinvigorate your soul.

4. Lowers the chances of birth defects in the baby: Bananas are a good source of folate, a requisite for the development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord.

Eating bananas during pregnancy can improve folate levels in the body and lower the chances of folate deficiency which is known to cause birth defects in the baby.

A rich source of the water-soluble Vitamin B6, bananas also help in the development of the baby’s nervous system. Hence, regular consumption of bananas in the first trimester of pregnancy is strongly recommended.

5. Provides relief from constipation: Bananas contain a high amount of dietary fibre and help in stimulating the bowel movements and reduce bloating in the stomach caused by gas during pregnancy.

Eating bananas in pregnancy can help relieve constipation as it improves bowel movements.

6. Helps maintain blood pressure: A rich source of potassium, the banana is an essential mineral that controls blood pressure levels in the body.

Therefore, it is advisable to include bananas in pregnancy diet and prevent fluctuations in your blood pressure levels.

7. Helps in bone development: Bananas are packed with calcium, which is necessary for the development of bones in both the mother and the baby.

Calcium is also vital for the regulation of muscle contraction in the body.

8. Helps maintain healthy skin: Bananas are a good source of Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid that’s essential for the absorption of iron in the body.

It also aids in the growth of bones, repairing tissues, and maintaining healthy skin. In addition to this, Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps fight infections. Eating banana during pregnancy give the baby and the mum-to-be all the benefits of Vitamin C.

9. Natural stress-buster: Often, mums ask the question, “why am I craving bananas?”

Well, feelings of tension and apprehension are quite normal during pregnancy. That is why you also experience mood swings. Consuming bananas can lower your stress and anxiety levels. A natural stress-buster for sure!

Why to Avoid Banana During Pregnancy?

Often expecting mums ask, why to avoid bananas during pregnancy. Although banana during pregnancy is safe, expecting mums should be avoided in certain cases. Pregnant women who suffer from allergies and have diabetes or gestational diabetes should avoid eating bananas.

Besides, bananas contain chitinase which is a latex-like substance and is a known allergen. It can also increase your body heat and should be avoided if you experience heartburn during pregnancy.
Some of the precautions while eating bananas during pregnancy are:

• It is better to prefer fresh and clean bananas and avoid the ones that have been outside for several days as they tend to attract fruit flies.
• Try to avoid overly ripened or distorted bananas.

Conclusion

Bananas and pregnancy can be a healthy combination when consumed in moderate amounts. An excellent source of essential nutrients for pregnant mums, bananas have several health benefits when eaten in moderation. If you don’t want to eat it raw, you can blend a ripe banana with some low-fat milk, brown sugar or honey to make a fresh smoothie. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before eating any fruit during pregnancy.

FAQs

Do bananas cause gas and bloating in pregnancy?

Bananas might cause gas and bloating in some expectant mums due to their sorbitol and soluble fibre contents. This is more likely among pregnant women with digestive issues or who aren’t used to eating a fibre-rich diet.

Do bananas give you heartburn?

Ripe bananas have a pH value of about 5 which makes them mildly acidic fruit. Although bananas do not cause heartburn, they might increase your body temperature and cause discomfort.

Is banana shake in pregnancy good?

Yes, a banana shake is good in pregnancy as bananas are a powerhouse of Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex, minerals, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, and essential fatty acids.

Can we eat banana chips during pregnancy?

Eating banana chips during pregnancy is safe. However, banana chips are generally deep-fried and salty. Instead of frying, you can try to make a healthy, oil-free version by using low sodium salt and baking.

Can we eat red bananas during pregnancy?

Red bananas are safe to eat during pregnancy and are similar to yellow bananas in nutritional content. They also aid to improve lactation.

Eating bananas during pregnancy at night?

Bananas are enriched in sleep-promoting nutrients like magnesium, tryptophan, Vitamin B6, carbs, and potassium. Therefore, you can eat bananas at night during pregnancy which will promote sleep.

Can I eat bananas in early pregnancy?

Bananas can be eaten throughout pregnancy as they are rich in carbohydrates and will give you the much-needed energy during this time.

Best time to eat banana during pregnancy?

Expectant mums can have bananas in their breakfast as these aid in digestion and relieve constipation.

How many bananas can you eat a day while pregnant?

It is safe to consume bananas during pregnancy in moderate amounts.

Also Read: 

Top 7 Super Fruits To Eat During Pregnancy

Foods To Eat During Pregnancy

Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy