Is Watermelon Good For Pregnancy: Benefits, Safety, And Myths

Watermelon is a tropical fruit rich in essential nutrients. This juicy yet crispy fruit serves as a refreshing snack on a hot day, but if you are expecting, you may wonder “is watermelon good for pregnancy” and how does it benefit your health during this crucial time. You may have also come across different statements claiming that watermelon should be avoided if you are pregnant, and that it might increase the risk of miscarriage. But the truth is that there is very little evidence to support these claims.

Keep reading as we fill you in all the details about why watermelon could be a great addition to your pregnancy diet, and safety tips to observe while consuming this summer fruit during this time.

Is It Safe to Eat Watermelon During Pregnancy?

Yes, you can safely consume watermelon during pregnancy, but in moderate amounts. The rich nutrient content of this fruit can, in fact, help regulate your bloopd pressure and even relieve common pregnancy symptoms like nausea and morning sickness. 

However, make sure to consult with your doctor before adding this fruit to you diet, and discuss the quantity of watermelon that you can consume on a daily basis, depending on your health and sugar levels.

Nutritional Profile of Watermelon

As the name of the fruit implies, watermelon consists mostly water, almost 91% and is very low in calories. Accordion to the FDA, about 100 gms of watermelon accounts for only 30 kilocalories. To help you understand its qualities better, we have created a nutrient profile for this fruit. Take a look!

Health Benefits of Having Watermelon During Pregnancy

This nutrient-rich fruit offers some amazing health benefits during pregnancy, and if recommended by your doctor, it can be a great additon to your diet to fulfill your daily nutritional requirements.

• Helps alleviate morning sickness: Watermelon boasts energising and refreshing qualities and can help soothe the symptoms of morning sickness. Drinking a glass of watermelon juice in the morning can help fight nausea and keep you active throughout the day.
• Helps relieve heartburn: During pregnancy, you may suffer from digestive issues lie acidity and heartburn. Consuming watermelon can help ease these problems as the fruit helps soothe your food pipe and stomach and prevents acid reflux.
• Helps reduce muscle cramps: Fluctuating hormones and weight gain can lead to pain in your muscles and bones. Including watermelon in your diet can help your body cope with such aches and reduce cramps.
• Regulates your blood pressure: Watermelon contains high levels of lycopene, a compound that helps regulate blood pressure in those suffering from hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Helps boost your energy levels: Watermelon is rich in minerals like magnesium and potassium and vitamins A, B1, and B6. These nutrients act as natural energy boosters that help you stay energised or long hours throughout the day. They are also beneficial for the development of your baby’s immune and nervous systems and eyesight.

Side Effects of Eating Watermelon During Pregnancy

If consumed in excess quantities, watermelon may cause the following side effects.

• Gestational diabetes: Consuming watermelon in excess, especially in juice form, can increase you blodd glucose levels, further increasing the risk of developing gestational diabetes. However, moderate consumption of this fruit does not cause any major changes in your blood sugar levels.
• Gastric problems: Consuming watermelon slices that have been kept out in the open for a long time may cause nausea, vomiting, and even gastrointestinal issues. Hence, always consume this fruit fresh, immediately after cutting, or store them in an air-tight container and refrigerate to retain its freshness.

Can Watermelon Cause Miscarriage?

Many people believe that eating watermelon during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage. But the truth is that there is there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. However, as discussed above, you should avoid consuming watermelons or any other melons that have been kept out in the open for a ling time, as they may harbour harmful salmonella and listeria bacteria and cause diarrheoa and vomiting. So consume this fruit fresh and make sure to wash them properly to get rid of food-borne bacteria.

3 Easy Ways to Include Watermelon In Your Pregnancy Diet

Watermelon and Starwberry Lemonade

Both strawberry and watermelon are nutrient-rich and contain high levels of vitamin C that help boost your immunity as well as energy levels.

You will need:

• A cub of cubed watermelon
• 1 cup of fresh strawberries
• 2 cups of water
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice

Method:

• Mix the ingredients together and blend in a mixer until smooth.
• Pour the juice in a tall glass, add some ice cubes, garnish with mint leaves, and enjoy.

Spicy Watermelon

This recipe is perfect when you are craving something sweet yet tangy at the same time. It is also super-easy to make and satiates your pregnancy cravings at an instant.

You will need:

• 2 cups of sliced watermelon
• Juice from half a lemon
• 1/4th teaspoon ground coriander, cumin, chili powder, and salt
• 1/8th teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Method:

• Mix the spices in a bowl.
• Add the watermelon cubes in a separate serving bowl and sprinkle the spices over it.
• Squeeze the lime juice and give all the ingredients a good mix.
• You can chill the bowl before consuming or have it right away.

Three Melon Smoothie

This power-packed smoothie boasts detoxifying properties and helps stimulate your kidney function by flushing out the toxins from your body.

You will need:

• 2 cups of sliced watermelon
• 1 cup of sliced honeydew and cantaloupe melon
• ½ cup of lemon juice
• ½ cup of ice cubes

Method:

• Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
• Pour the smoothie mixture in a glass and enjoy the refreshing drink rightaway.

Conclusion

We hope this post answered all your questions on “is watermelon good for pregnancy.” Besides being extremely nutritious, this seasonal fruit helps alleviate many pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness and can also help regulate your blood pressure. But do remember to consult this fruit in moderation, as excess consumption can cause gastric problems or abnormality in your blood sugar levels. 

FAQs

Can We Eat Watermelon During Pregnancy?

Watermelon is typically safe to consume during pregnancy. But, you should avoid eating sliced watermelon that has been sitting at room temperature for too long. Also, if you’re suffering from gestational diabetes, limit your watermelon intake.

Can I Have Watermelon Juice During Pregnancy Regularly? 

Watermelon is a hydrating fruit that is high in nutrients and health-promoting substances. It lowers your chance of experiencing preeclampsia, constipation, or haemorrhoids. You can safely consume it on a regular basis throughout pregnancy. But make sure to have it in a limited amount.

Why is watermelon not good during pregnancy?  

The water content of watermelons keeps your body hydrated. It also flushes out dangerous toxins from your body, but while doing so, the infant is exposed to these poisons, which is not beneficial for the newborn. Consuming large amounts of this fruit can also elevate blood sugar levels in women with gestational diabetes.

What does craving watermelon mean when pregnant? 

Craving for watermelon during pregnancy means your body is craving for more water. During the pregnancy phase, your body becomes dehydrated and that time the craving for water and fruits becomes more sensitive.

Also read:

Eating jamun during pregnancy: Find out whether it’s safe to eat jamun during pregnancy and safety tips to follow while consuming this tropical fruit.

Kiwi during pregnancy: Here’s everything you need to know about including kiwi fruit in your pregnancy diet.

Pineapple during pregnancy: Learn all about the benefits of including pineapple in your pregnancy diet.

Sugarcane juice in pregnancy: Can you safely consume sugarcane juice during pregnancy? Tap this post to know. 

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