Can pregnant women eat watermelon?

Surely, many women only remember vitamins when they are expecting a baby. Summer time is the most vitamin time. Vegetables, fruits and berries are ripening. If you want, eat, get your fill of useful elements. Watermelon also contains a lot of useful things. Is it necessary to eat it, since it contains a lot of water, and edema during pregnancy is dangerous?

The benefits of watermelon

Watermelon is a berry that consists of a rind, red pulp and water, where many vitamins are hidden, for example, folic acid, B1, C, A, PP, organic acids, fiber, copper, potassium, iodine, magnesium, sodium, manganese, calcium, zinc, cobalt and other benefits.

In addition, watermelon treats certain diseases, usually related to the kidneys. If a pregnant woman has sand in her kidneys, it is recommended to eat the striped berry at midnight in a warm bath. When urinating, sand can be seen coming out of the water. It is generally accepted that this is the most optimal time to cleanse the kidneys of sand.

Doctors are positive about this berry during pregnancy for the following reasons:

Calms nerves;

It is useful for a lack of iron in the pregnant body;

Enriches the female body with useful microelements, which the unborn child will definitely get;

Watermelon cleanses the body well of sand, toxins and harmful salts;

The basic rule is to eat and go to the toilet. Watermelon removes excess water from the body, that is, helps cope with swelling;

Watermelon during pregnancy helps in the functioning of the digestive system;

Eating watermelon during pregnancy is a good prevention of constipation.

Despite these important advantages, you should abstain from watermelon if a pregnant woman has a violation of the outflow of urine, kidney stones (you can eat it only with extreme caution), or an upset stomach.

How to eat watermelon during pregnancy

If you don’t want to sleep poorly at night and regularly run to the toilet, you don’t need to gorge yourself on watermelon at night.

It is still not recommended to eat watermelon in unlimited quantities. Therefore, you should definitely ask your doctor how much watermelon you can eat daily. Most often, doctors agree on recommendations for 800 g or 2-3 pieces (depending on the condition of the expectant mother).

If you feel sick after eating the berries, you urgently need to drink activated carbon and at least 1 liter of water.

You should not eat watermelon with black bread due to the risk of exacerbation of indigestion and its diseases. Therefore, only white bread or no bread at all.

The refrigerator is the best place to store berries, but not more than a day.

Nitrate watermelon is dangerous for pregnant women. You don't even need to try them. You should buy watermelon only in season, preferably after August 20th.

Choosing a watermelon

Early berries may not be beneficial. To ensure their early ripening, various fertilizers (usually prohibited or smuggled) are used, as well as nitrates. Because no matter how much you would like to eat it, it’s better to resist. The watermelon harvest season is the last week of August and the beginning of September.

In order not to miss when choosing a berry and not to buy poison during the season, you should use the following tips:

When you cut a watermelon, if the veins are yellowish, it means the berry is filled with nitrates. This is also evidenced by hard white veins;

A good watermelon has thin and soft veins;

If you look at a cut of a nitrate berry, it has a completely smooth surface;

A good watermelon has flesh that is slightly uneven in color;

You need to knock on the watermelon. If you hear the sound of a deflated ball, this is a bad sign;

When you squeeze a normal watermelon, it will feel soft;

The rind of the striped berry should be smooth, with no cracks or any damage. Look how they sell watermelons. They often lie on the asphalt. Even through a small crack, dangerous microbes can enter a watermelon. Even berries with a smooth crust must always be washed well before use;

The entire period of waiting for the baby to be born and the first time after childbirth, the only thing that worries a woman is how not to harm her baby.

During pregnancy, watermelon often becomes a real coveted product, because this juicy red delicacy not only perfectly quenches thirst and replaces a lot of unhealthy desserts, but is also rich in valuable vitamins. In today's material we will look at this juicy fruit and find out why it is good and bad for the expectant mother.

If during pregnancy you really want to enjoy a ripe and juicy watermelon, then there is nothing surprising in this - the expectant mother’s body itself knows perfectly well what exactly it is missing, and therefore often dictates its desires through the emergence of sudden gastronomic cravings.

In general, most often women who are in the early and late stages of pregnancy are drawn to watermelons.

It’s easy to explain the craving for watermelon: in the first trimester, the beneficial substances of watermelon help the unborn baby to form and grow correctly, but in the later stages of pregnancy, the same watermelon pulp helps get rid of edema.

Among those expectant mothers who ate watermelon from the very first months of pregnancy and did not deny themselves this pleasure, developmental disorders in the fetus were much less common. The thing is that eating watermelon is incredibly healthy because it is rich in folic acid. As you know, it is she who is responsible for the formation of the baby’s nervous tissue, and also acts as a protector of the baby’s immature body from all kinds of developmental defects.

Is watermelon healthy? Of course, if you bought a juicy and ripe fruit that was grown on a farm in soil, and also if synthetic substances were not used in its cultivation. In this case, eating juicy slices will only be beneficial. But eating watermelons in months far from the harvest season is definitely not worth it.

How much watermelon can pregnant women eat?

Although this fruit can rightfully be considered a useful and valuable natural gift for the health of the expectant mother and her unborn child, it is still important to exercise some caution. It is better not to go too far and not eat too much watermelon, since for a pregnant woman this is an additional burden on the kidneys.

It is better to eat no more than one small watermelon per day; naturally, it must certainly be ripe and of high quality.

If you have any problems with the health of the urinary tract or have been diagnosed with inflammatory processes in the kidneys, then you will have to limit yourself to two or three watermelon slices per day.

It is believed that closer to the 40th week of pregnancy you can already afford much more watermelon, as well as other fresh fruits and berries. This is due to the fact that the expectant mother’s body actively stores essential vitamins and minerals, and at the same time cleanses itself before childbirth. So if you are in the last month of pregnancy, you can eat a little more watermelon; it is unlikely to harm you if you bought a good product.

Possible harm of watermelon for a pregnant woman

Is watermelon harmful for pregnant women? Experts can answer in the affirmative if we are talking about those fruits that were grown in questionable conditions, were treated with chemicals, or were simply brought from greenhouse systems. In this case, the juicy pulp inside will be of little benefit to the expectant mother, but such a bad watermelon can be poisoned, and very seriously.

For this reason, you should not buy watermelons too early, when the harvest season has just begun. Take your time and wait for the ground fruits, which are much healthier and much less dangerous to your health.

Watermelon should not be consumed during pregnancy if the doctor has discovered the presence of kidney stones.

The thing is that watermelon has pronounced diuretic properties, and therefore, as it were, flushes the kidneys, which in turn can become a problem if there is sand or small stones in them. In a situation where the passage of stones causes pain and cramps, it is extremely difficult to help a pregnant woman, because she simply cannot take most medications.

You should also not eat a lot of watermelons, since this increases the activity of the urinary system, which is already under increased stress due to pregnancy. So it is better to limit yourself to a couple of slices at a time to avoid such negative effects.

Watermelon in the first trimester of pregnancy

In the early stages of pregnancy, watermelon can become the most important element for the good health of the future baby. Many pregnant women are well aware that watermelon pulp is rich in folic acid. This is an excellent natural product that will help maintain the required level of this essential vitamin in the body of a pregnant woman.

In addition, the juicy red fruit will be very useful when planning pregnancy, because in this case folic acid is also needed more than any other substance.

The antioxidant properties of the fruit are also known - by nature it is rich in beneficial acids that protect the body of the expectant mother and her baby growing in her tummy. As you know, antioxidants protect body cells from all kinds of diseases, and also protect them from defects, forcing the body to produce only healthy and complete ones - that’s why watermelon is so useful in the first months of pregnancy.

Watermelon in the second trimester of pregnancy

From 14 to 27 weeks of pregnancy, the body of the unborn baby develops especially quickly, and therefore it needs a lot of useful substances and vitamins. Watermelon is a special product, because in its pulp nature has packed many valuable elements: B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamin A and carotene, as well as iron, potassium and magnesium, which is necessary for every pregnant woman.

In addition to containing a whole list of useful vitamins, watermelon is also rich in plant fiber and fiber, which helps maintain weight without gaining excess weight during pregnancy. That's why watermelon is especially useful for those expectant mothers who are prone to obesity.

Watermelon pulp also works great against constipation, a common occurrence in the second trimester of pregnancy. To do this, it is enough to eat one or two slices of the fruit every day on an empty stomach. However, remember that sometimes watermelon can cause flatulence and abdominal cramps.

Watermelon in the third trimester of pregnancy

Many pregnant women eat watermelon for edema, starting from 34 and 35 weeks, in order to insure themselves against late toxicosis - gestosis. In fact, this is a really effective and tasty remedy, because watermelon not only removes excess fluid from the body, but also allows you to lose weight. This is why it can be used during the 8th and 9th months of pregnancy if you have gained too many pounds.

Closer to 37 or 38, and sometimes from the 39th week of pregnancy, it is useful for the expectant mother to add the red fruit to her menu in order to get rid of accumulated toxins in the intestines and cleanse the body before the upcoming birth.

At this time, many experts advise switching to a purely plant-based diet, and watermelon will be a great addition to it. In the last stages of pregnancy, it is important not only to get rid of edema, but also to prepare the body for childbirth in order to reduce the risk of complications.

In the last month of pregnancy, watermelon is also useful for the expectant mother because it thins the blood. By preventing the formation of sluggish inflammatory processes in the pelvis and regularly cleansing the kidneys, this product is especially indispensable before the upcoming birth of a baby. In general, for a woman carrying a child in late stages, it is recommended to eat watermelon every day.

Overall, this product can be called not only tasty, but also truly healthy. After all, some sources claim that expectant mothers who often ate watermelon during pregnancy are less likely to have problems with breastfeeding, since the fetus has, among other things, a noticeable lactogenic property.

The expectant mother is very lucky if the second trimester of pregnancy falls in August-September. After all, you can saturate your body with useful vitamins and microelements contained in watermelon. But consumption of such a healthy berry should be in moderation, since excess fluid can lead to increased stress on the kidneys.

Is it possible to eat watermelon during pregnancy?

Many expectant mothers wonder whether it is possible to eat watermelon while pregnant? Of course it is possible, even necessary, only if it is from your own garden, or purchased from a trusted seller who does not grow them with the help of chemicals. A good watermelon contains a large amount of vitamins and microelements, which is enough for two, and it is also a substitute for cakes, pastries and other sweet desserts that are not advisable to eat during pregnancy.

Sometimes pregnant women are concerned about another question: is it possible to eat this berry if there is swelling? This question can be answered with confidence - yes, you can! Although it consists almost of water, it is able to remove fluids from the body, thereby reducing swelling of the limbs.

A contraindication may include the fact that if swelling is caused by a malfunction of the kidneys or gestosis, then it is better to refuse the treat.

It is also contraindicated for pregnant women to eat berries if they have gastrointestinal problems. In some cases, eating watermelon in large quantities can cause diarrhea and flatulence. In women expecting a baby, such phenomena can lead to increased uterine tone.

The benefits of watermelon for pregnant women

If there are no problems with the kidneys, then watermelon will only be beneficial, because watermelon contains:

• vitamins A, C, E, PP;
• vitamins of group B1, B2, B6, B9;
• potassium;
• sodium;
• phosphorus;
• folic acid;
• magnesium;
• ash;
• pectin;
• cellulose;
• iron;
• lycopene;
• mineral salts.

Lycopene is responsible for the red color of the berries; it is also a useful antioxidant. And mineral salts maintain the correct water-salt balance. Watermelon also contains many sugars, which, in addition to its sweetish taste, can also lift your mood and normalize sleep.

The berry is indicated for:

• gastritis with high acidity;
• gallbladder disease;
• hypertension;
• constipation

Also, watermelon pulp can reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood of a pregnant woman, help remove sand from the kidneys, cleanse the intestines of toxins, and strengthen the entire body as a whole. In addition to all this, the berry has mild antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.

Harm of watermelon during pregnancy

Despite its many advantages, the fruit can also in some cases cause harm to the body. Let's figure out exactly when:

• if a pregnant woman has diarrhea;
• the colon is inflamed;
• diabetes is present (including gestational);
• the berry can be harmful if there is a urination problem.

One of the main reasons why doctors do not advise pregnant women to eat watermelon is the risk of poisoning from a low-quality berry. The content of nitrates and toxins can cause great harm not only to the body of the expectant mother, but also to the child.

Eating the berries with other foods will cause rumbling and gas in the intestines. Therefore, in order to avoid such unpleasant symptoms, it is better to eat the berry first, and after 30-60 minutes eat another food.

Watermelon in early and late stages

If the berry is grown in your own or a neighbor’s garden without nitrates and toxins, then it is not only possible to consume it in the early stages, but also necessary, especially if a woman has toxicosis. But everything should be in moderation; pregnant women are allowed to eat 4 slices 3-5 times a week - no more.

In the last months of pregnancy, due to the heavy load on the organs, especially the kidneys, you should refrain from eating watermelon. If you really want it, you can eat 1-2 pieces once or twice a week.

How to choose a good and safe watermelon

Buying a watermelon must be taken with great responsibility, so as not to harm either yourself or, especially, your unborn baby. You can buy a good and safe watermelon only in August, only then do they begin to sing on their own, and not with the help of chemicals.

Although, even at the height of the season, you can fall into the trap and buy a low-quality product. Therefore, you need to learn to recognize “bad” watermelons by eye:

• when squeezed, the watermelon does not crack;
• there are dents or cracks on the peel;
• the pulp has yellow veins;
• When you press the watermelon, you feel softness.

You can check the quality of the berry using water; to do this, throw a piece of crumb into a glass of liquid, and if it turns coloured, then the watermelon has been filled with chemicals.

Now let’s look at what ripe, juicy and most importantly safe fruits should be like:

• when tapped, it will make a dull sound, as if from a hollow container;
• when squeezed quite hard, the watermelon cracks;
• the smaller the yellow spot on the peel, the riper it is;
• It is very difficult to pierce the skin of a ripe fruit with a fingernail, which cannot be said about an unripe one.

If there are yellow coarse veins in the cut berry, it is better to throw it away immediately, as this means that it was grown on nitrates. Also, if there is a large crack in the middle, this is also a sign of nitrate.

You can only store uneaten fruit in the refrigerator, and then for no more than 18-15 hours.

Contraindications

In order for watermelon to bring exceptional benefits to the body, you need to know not only how to select and store it, but also how to eat it. It is important to know that combining berries with black bread is unacceptable, but with white bread it is possible.

Although watermelon is a very healthy fruit, there are still several contraindications to its use while expecting a child:

• Do not use if you have hypersensitivity or individual intolerance;
• for some intestinal diseases;
• for problems with urination (congestion);
• You should eat berries with great caution if you are prone to flatulence.

It is important for expectant mothers to remember that from the moment of conception, they are responsible not only for their own lives, but also for the health of the baby. Despite the fact that watermelon is very healthy, you should consult a doctor before consuming it to avoid unpleasant consequences.

2015-10-02 , 2063

Gynecologists do not have a unanimous opinion about the benefits of watermelon for pregnant women. Half of them claim that it is an extremely useful product for pregnant women, while others only talk about the dangers of this berry, which in pregnant women puts additional stress on the kidneys, increasing swelling.

A beautiful riddle, probably everyone knows about this sugar product: “the caftan is green velvet, but the caftan itself is scarlet, sugar.” He cannot leave anyone indifferent. In the USA, they love it so much that it is the leader among melons and the month of July has been declared national watermelon month (it ripens there at that time). Its homeland is South Africa, where it grew like a wild bush from the very beginning. It has been known since ancient Egypt, 5000 years ago. He was depicted in papyri in hieroglyphs. The name comes from the Turkic word “harbuza”, it means “melon”, “huge cucumber” or “cucumber the size of a donkey”.

So is watermelon good for pregnant women? It is definitely useful for the expectant mother due to the fact that it is a storehouse of useful substances.

It contains in its pulp a lot of mineral elements and vitamins, pectin. It consists of 92.6% water. From vitamins: these are A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, C, PP. Vitamin B9 or folic acid is especially important for the expectant mother. It helps the absorption of iron, participating in the process of hematopoiesis; Without it, iron cannot be absorbed. Therefore, watermelons are especially useful in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

In addition, it contains copper, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, fluorine, cobalt, iodine and calcium; antioxidant lycopene. Moreover, they contain more lycopene than tomatoes. This is a good prevention of breast tumors. Therefore, watermelon has a beneficial effect on heart patients. The fruit does not contain salts, it is rich in carotene and alkalis. It protects the body from acidification due to alkalis. Alkalis neutralize uric acid, the main culprit in the formation of kidney stones. Carotene helps in the treatment of arthritis.

Yes, it has a lot of sugar, but you're not going to eat a watermelon at one time. Secondly, the calorie content per 100 g of juice does not exceed 30 kcal. The daily norm of pulp is 150 grams. The daily norm of magnesium is completely replenished.

Thanks to pectin, fiber and moisture, the fruits are good at cleansing the intestines of cholesterol and toxins. In the 2nd and 3rd trimester, it is good for edema in pregnant women due to its diuretic effect.

In addition to the pulp, according to traditional healers, both the seeds and its peel can bring some benefit. Dried seeds help against helminths. They are mixed in dried form with low-fat milk in a ratio of 1:10 and taken on an empty stomach.

In addition, they are simply delicious, no worse than pumpkin and sunflower ones. They must first be dried and fried with salt. Skilled housewives prepare marmalade and candied fruits from the pulp of the crusts. They are particularly juicy. In general, according to some researchers, the peel is considered edible. Watermelon rind applied to the temples in a damp place relieves headaches.

What is the benefit?

The benefits of watermelon during pregnancy are as follows:

• it improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• beneficial for the central nervous system;
• being a natural antidepressant, it improves mood;
• reduces blood pressure;
• Watermelon is also useful for pregnant women because it helps the baby develop correctly;
• the expectant mother’s body is strengthened with vitamins and minerals;
• it can relieve muscle pain; this property is often used by athletes: drinking a glass of juice before training will help your muscles not hurt;
• Watermelon during pregnancy protects against sun and heat stroke;
• improves vision;
• improves the condition during an attack of asthma (due to the content of antioxidants it relieves bronchospasm);
• the risk of developing gout is reduced.

Other benefits of watermelon during pregnancy:

• it does not allow the pregnant woman to gain weight;
• helps remove toxins and waste from the pregnant woman’s body; sand prevents the formation of stones due to the fact that it is a natural diuretic;
• reduces the risk of cancer;
• improves gastrointestinal function by normalizing stool
• protects the immune system due to the citrulline it contains;
• this amino acid is transformed into arginine.

The benefits of watermelon for edema

Edema in pregnant women can be associated with heavy loads on the kidneys, especially during long periods of pregnancy or when the functioning of the cardiovascular system is impaired. In these cases, watermelon can help. There is only one BUT. It is indicated for healthy pregnancies. If edema occurs due to toxicosis or kidney dysfunction, melons and melons can aggravate the situation.

Is watermelon good for the intestines?

Question: what are the benefits of watermelon and melons for pregnant women? This is relevant for mothers, because constipation and flatulence are often present during pregnancy. It will help in this case if it does not contain an increased amount of nitrates and is chosen correctly. For colitis, taking the sweet fruit also requires caution.

You should not eat melons with rye bread: this is fraught with intestinal fermentation processes and gas formation. It is also impossible to combine melons with laxative vegetables and fruits, so as not to cause diarrhea.

Watermelon in early pregnancy

Watermelon: is it harmful during pregnancy, its benefits and harms in different trimesters? The first 12 weeks of gestation are the most important, because at this time all the main organs of the fetus are laid and formed.

Watermelon at this time will only be beneficial if it is environmentally friendly. Therefore, it is good if the gestation of lovers of these fruits coincides with their ripening season. Despite all its benefits, pregnant women should be careful when consuming the fruit; it can cause diarrhea, which always increases the tone of the uterus. 3-4 slices a day 3 times a week is enough.

Is it possible to eat watermelon late in life?

Although the fetal organs are already formed, the consumption of melons should not be more than normal, because during this period the load on the woman’s body as a whole increases, especially on the kidneys. This is especially important after 30 weeks.

Why are some doctors against watermelons for pregnant women?

The presence of possible nitrates is the main cause of concern; but it should be noted that this can be scary at the beginning of summer, when watermelons are just beginning to appear on sale. The normal season begins in late August and September.

Excessive consumption of these fruits can lead to swelling. The diuretic effect of the fruit can have a bad effect on existing kidney stones, causing renal colic if the size of the stones exceeds 4 mm.

Due to its increased sweetness, watermelon can sometimes cause flatulence, but this is always individual. But if the pregnant woman is healthy, the fruits can be consumed at any time, but in moderation. You just need to choose it correctly.

Contraindications to eating watermelon

In addition to the disagreement of doctors regarding pregnant women, watermelon should not be eaten under certain conditions and conditions:

• berry intolerance;
• UCD with impaired urinary outflow;
• according to some reports, when melons are digested, insulin is not consumed in the body, so it does not pose a threat to diabetics;
• pancreatitis;
• colitis;
• with breastfeeding, eating a large amount of fruit can cause colic in the child;
• tendency to flatulence.

How is watermelon beneficial for pregnant women and is it possible for pregnant women to have a watermelon fasting day? It should be noted that eating fruits as a fasting day during pregnancy is not strictly permitted. Fasting days cannot be carried out during pregnancy at all and it is better to wait until after childbirth.

For healthy women who are not pregnant, following a watermelon diet for several days is also risky; other fasting methods are better. During pregnancy, unloading on melons does not provide the body of the expectant mother with the necessary nutrients for her and the fetus, this is elementary.

Watermelon and melons for pregnant women: benefits and harms - how to reduce the latter and increase the former? The main rule for consuming all melons, especially watermelon and melon: do not mix them with bread, tea and other foods; do not eat any foods half an hour before and after eating melons. Then there will never be problems with fruits.

How to choose a watermelon?

The best thing for a woman is to be able to grow melons in her garden. But this is a luxury for many people these days. Therefore, it is worth learning how to choose the “right” watermelon.” Do not risk buying fruit out of season, although it is available for sale all year round. Out of season they are full of nitrates.

Watermelon must be fresh - this is a must! It can be stored, even in the refrigerator, for no more than a day - it spoils very quickly. More than a day has passed - it is full of bacteria. If it is not completely eaten after purchase, turn it over onto a plate and cover with cling film, after which it should be placed in the refrigerator. Do not eat the watermelon with the white part of the rind until it turns green.

More nitrates are contained in the crust, so do not eat about 3 cm to the base. Do not have the habit of purchasing fruit that has already been cut by the seller and do not ask the seller to cut out a piece for testing - this is a violation of all sanitation. Do not take melons with cut flesh. When you return home with the purchased fruit, be sure to wash it under running water and soap.

Signs of nitrate content in watermelon include:

• its non-seasonality;
• when cut, the flesh is smooth, glossy and absolutely even; in a healthy fetus it glows with sugar grains.
• a “healthy” fruit crackles when squeezed, but with nitrates it remains soft;
• the peel should be shiny, not flaccid, elastic;
• in a natural watermelon, when cut, the flesh has yellow veins, not white;
• A ripe natural fruit should not have white seeds;
• when tapped, a good fruit makes a ringing sound, with nitrates it makes a dull sound, like a deflated ball;
• “nitrate” fruit gives a red or pink color to the water when the pulp is thrown into it; if there are no nitrates, the water is simply cloudy. More nitrates – brighter water color;
• Nitrate watermelon may have strange damage and depressions.

Purchase rules: do not buy fruits on the roadsides; at least 10 meters must separate them from the road. Fruits should not lie haphazardly on the ground or in dust; they must be on a clear elevation, no less than 20 cm from the surface of the earth.