Fruits offer you plenty of essential nutrients, which are beneficial for both the mother and baby. However, if eating fruits gets too monotonous and boring, you can try introducing fruit juices in your diet. Sometimes, expectant mothers may be dealing with nausea, and wish to eat nothing at all. In such times, fruit juices can come to their rescue. Not only are they equally nutritional, but they also help the mother get re-hydrated, and replenish her lost fluids.
1. Orange Juice: Increases Immunity
Orange juice is a rich source of Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant and helps increase immunity. Vitamin C also facilitates absorption of iron that benefits the red blood cells in the mother’s as well as the infant’s body. The National Institutes of Health(NIH) recommends an intake of at least 85mg of Vitamin C for pregnant women, which makes up a little over one cup or orange juice. Potassium present in orange juice can help reduce high blood pressure.
2. Carrot Juice: Adds Quality To Breast Milk
Rich in nutrients, carrots offer plenty of benefits to pregnant women. They contain Vitamin A, C and fiber that are essential during pregnancy. Carrots help in cleansing the liver and boosting immunity. It is good for the skin and muscles of the baby. Nursing mothers can include carrot juice in their diet to add quality to their breast milk. Drinking carrot juice, especially in the last few months of pregnancy, can reduce the chances of jaundice in the baby. However, expectant mothers are recommended to drink not more than 1 glass of carrot juice in a day.
3. Beet Root Juice: Purifies Blood
Beet root offers a bundle of health benefits for both the mother and baby. Its unique blood purification property helps reduce risks of infection for the baby. Beet root is rich in folic acid, which aids tissue growth, and lowers the risk of birth defects. An iron-rich fruit, it reduces the risk of maternal anemia, while vitamin A and E in beet root help in fetal development. Pregnant women are advised to consult their physician to know the correct quantities of beetroot juice to be consumed during pregnancy.
4. Peach Juice: Flushes Out Toxins From The Body
Peaches contain ample amount of iron and potassium, which reduces the risk of anemia in pregnant women. Peach juice is also known to detoxify the body, keeping your kidneys and urinary bladder clean. This prevents the occurrence of having kidney stones during pregnancy. Peach juice can also help keep constipation and indigestion in check.
5. Strawberry Juice: Adds Glow To The Skin
Pregnancy adds a glow to your skin and so do strawberries. They aren’t about just that, their high water content also prevents dehydration. Women can eat them during morning sickness without feeling heavy. Strawberries are a source of soluble fiber that is good for your heart. Rich in Vitamin C, they also have antioxidant properties. They can also protect the body against cancer causing free radicals.
6. Lemon Juice: Prevents Edema Or Swollen Feet
Pregnant and having digestive issues? Lemons can effectively prevent stomach cramps, constipation and indigestion. Citrus fruits like lemon can cater to your Vitamin C daily requirements. Lemon juice hydrates the body and controls high blood pressure in pregnant women. One of the known benefits of lemon juice is to reduce the symptoms of swelling or edema, which expectant mothers often experience in their legs, feet, hands and even face. However, including excess citrus in the diet can cause heartburn. It is important that you consult your health expert before drinking lemon juice regularly.
7. Coconut Water: Replenishes Lost Fluids
Coconut water is one the healthiest drinks, which is both an energizer and diuretic. It replenishes the body with essential electrolytes and minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. This can help pregnant women recover from symptoms like morning sickness, nausea and diarrhea. Being a diuretic, it also increases the urge to urinate, keeping the urinary tract clean. Consuming coconut water in the third trimester of pregnancy can help increase the amniotic fluid volume and improve blood circulation.
8. Grape Juice: Controls Cholesterol And Hypertension
On average, 20% of pregnant women experience slight bleeding in the first 12 weeks due to blood vessels developing in the womb. Grape juice is known to cure this symptom called “bleeding of womb”. Also, grapes are packed with antioxidants, protecting the mother and baby from infections. Resveratrol, a compound present in grapes, can help in controlling cholesterol and the resultant hypertension in pregnant women.
9. Apple Juice: Prevents Weight Gain
Apples are a good source of antioxidants and other essential nutrients. Moms trying to get back in shape post pregnancy would love to know that apples help in preventing unnecessary weight gain during and after pregnancy. Apple juice is good for the baby’s brain development. Also, apples add a considerable amount of iron content to the daily diet, which is again good for both the mother and baby.
Fruit juices can be consumed regularly, but in moderation. Few juices in large amounts like excess lemon juice, can cause acidity. Therefore, it is always advisable for pregnant women to consult their physicians about the daily intake of different fruit juices, to be included in the diet. Also, mothers should always consume pasteurized fruit juices to avoid any food-borne disease that can harm their baby.
