Dragon Fruits During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, everything you eat gets shared with your unborn baby in the womb. Therefore, there’s a plethora of fruits to eat during pregnancy to meet your nutritional requirements. Dragon fruit is one of them.

Dragon fruit is native to the regions of Southern America and Mexico, along with parts of Central America. Dragon fruits have a scaly outer covering. It can be seen in various supermarkets in India and can be ordered online as well. The taste is a combination of sweetness and some tang, and might differ across its variants.

There are numerous benefits of dragon fruits and that is why it is recommended during pregnancy. Opting for a red dragon fruit in pregnancy is a great way to get started and get accustomed to its taste and flavour if you are new to it.

Nutritional Value Of Dragon Fruits

Here’s the nutritional value of dragon fruit:

Nutrient                RDA                             Per 100g of Dragon Fruit

Calories           1800 – 2400 calories             264 kcal

Carbohydrates 175 g                                 82.1 g

Dietary fibre   28 g                                   1.8 mg

Calcium           1000 mg                                 107 mg

Vitamin C             85 mg                                   6.4 mg

How Can You Include Dragon Fruits In Your Diet During Pregnancy?

The various ways in which you can include dragon fruit in your pregnancy diet are:

• Like any other fruit, dragon fruit can be consumed raw on a regular basis.
• You can also extract its juice and consume it.
• Use it as an addition in your fruit salad.
• You can remove the edible part of the fruit and make a smoothie.

How Much Dragon Fruit Should You Take In Pregnancy?

There is not enough scientific information on how much dragon fruit should be taken during pregnancy. As we all know that excess of everything can have adverse impacts during pregnancy, pregnant women can eat about 200 grams of this fruit in a day.

It is advisable to consult your doctor if you are unsure about the intake levels of dragon fruit in pregnancy.

9 Benefits of Eating Dragon Fruits During Pregnancy

Expecting mums often ask, “Can pregnant women eat dragon fruit?” and “Is dragon fruit good for pregnancy?” The answer is “Yes”.

Dragon fruit has a host of benefits for the expecting mum. It provides a healthy dose of nutrients and gives necessary nutritive elements for the baby’s growth and adds to the dragon fruit benefits. Some of the benefits of eating dragon fruit include:

1. Rich source of fats: Good fats are a requisite for a pregnant mum as it not only provides energy to keep the various metabolic processes running but also works in promoting the formation of the brain in the foetus.

Dragon fruit is packed with a good proportion of fats, most of which are monounsaturated.

2. Energy giving carbohydrates: Dragon fruits in pregnancy are a must as it is a powerhouse of carbohydrates. These can be directly transferred to the developing foetus if you consume this nutritious fruit.

3. Guards against infections: Dragon fruit for pregnancy is strongly recommended by doctors as these guard against infections. Being infected by microbes can be a risk to the foetus as the microbes can find their way to the baby through the placenta.

Dragon fruit provides the benefit of undertaking cellular regeneration in the treatment of wounds and prevents infection and supplies anti-fungal and anti-bacterial bodies to guard against microbes that are already present.

4. Constipation relief: Constipation in pregnancy is common. The presence of fibre in the dragon fruit can relieve constipation in pregnant mums.

Eating dragon fruit in pregnancy can help your digestive system bounce back to normalcy.

5. Haemoglobin elevation: Dragon fruit is good for pregnancy is highly recommended as the iron content in dragon fruit helps blood cells to improve the capacity of carrying oxygen by elevating the levels of haemoglobin.

This can reduce the chances of anaemia in most women.

6. Assisting bone development: Enriched with calcium and phosphorous, dragon fruits assist bone development in the unborn child.

These minerals also work towards maintaining good dental health in the expecting mum.

7. Prevent birth defects: Dragon fruit in pregnancy aids in the baby’s neural development and reduces the chances of birth defects.

The vitamin B-complex group and folates play a crucial role in developing the nervous system as well as the child’s neural tube.

8. Prevent preeclampsia: Hypertension in pregnancy can increase the risks of pre-eclampsia.

Dragon fruits help to maintain a stable level of blood pressure as well as blood sugar and keep the complications associated with pregnancy to a minimum.

9. Prevents gestational diabetes: Dragon fruits are rich in dietary fibre or roughage that helps to keep you fuller for long periods and prevents sugar cravings and hunger pangs during pregnancy.

Besides, high-fibre foods can prevent gestational diabetes and are considered to be a good option for those prone to developing diabetes in later life due to obesity or family history.

These are some of the dragon fruit benefits in pregnancy. Now that you already know about its goodness, we know that you will include it in your diet.

Precautions When Eating Dragon Fruits During Pregnancy

Dragon fruit in pregnancy is a safe choice and there aren’t any precautions that you need to keep in mind. However, it is advisable to consume this fruit in moderation to avoid unfavourable outcomes.

Are There Any Harmful Effects of Dragon Fruits?

There aren’t any known side effects of dragon fruit during pregnancy.

In case you experience any allergic reactions such as itching, sneezing, rashes, or a burning sensation in the mouth after consuming a dragon fruit, try to avoid it.

Conclusion

Dragon fruit in pregnancy is one of the best decisions you can take to support your health and well-being. Packed with carbohydrates and dietary fibre, it has numerous benefits for your developing baby.

FAQs

Does dragon fruit have folic acid?

Yes, dragon fruit has folic acid and nourishes the developing nervous system of the foetus and helps reduce the likelihood of certain birth defects, including spinal cord and brain abnormalities.

Also read: Folic Acid in Pregnancy

Is dragon fruit good for conceiving?

Loaded with Vitamin B1, B2, B3, C and minerals like iron, calcium and phosphorus along with active antioxidants, dragon fruit can help women to have a higher chance of conception.

Who should not eat dragon fruit during pregnancy?

In case you experience any allergic reactions such as itching, sneezing, rashes, or a burning sensation in the mouth after consuming a dragon fruit, it is advisable to avoid it.