Is it safe to eat jelly during pregnancy? Fruit jelly is one of the desserts loved by people across age groups. The hormonal changes of pregnancy and increased cravings can make one want to indulge in a spoonful of that yummy smooth jelly. Continue reading this post as we tell you about the health benefits, side effects, and safety measures to be followed by expecting mothers when consuming jelly.
What Is Jelly?
Jelly is a milky secretion prepared by the joint efforts of honey bees from floral nectar and is a useful ingredient for its medicinal properties. Royal jelly used to prepare different fruit-flavored jelly contains a high proportion of water, proteins, natural sugar, fats, vitamins, and amino acids. The jelly composition varies according to climatic conditions and geographic location. Royal jelly serves as a natural ingredient in health tonics to boost the immune system and fight against the aging effects. Here is a list of the health ailments treated with consumption of jelly:
Asthma Hay fever Insomnia Liver diseases Stomach ulcers Kidney diseases Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Skin disorders High cholesterol.
Is It Safe To Eat Jelly During Pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe to consume jelly during pregnancy. It offers many health benefits, and you can include the food in your diet. It aids digestion, controls sugar craving filling, and has varieties of jelly you can choose from. However, as with most foods, try to regulate the amount of jelly you consume while you are expecting.
Health Benefits Of Eating Jelly During Pregnancy
Jelly is an ingredient that adds an extra taste to your sandwiches or bread toasts. Here are some of noticeable health benefits of jelly:
1. Improves digestion
Jelly made from fruits contains a higher proportion of fibers that regulates the digestive functioning during pregnancy. Fiber is a vital element that promotes regularity in the digestion process and helps control the cholesterol levels.
2. Keeps the appetite full
The consumption of jelly fills your stomach easily and helps you feel full for a longer time span. During pregnancy you often experience severe hunger pangs and intake of jelly helps to satisfy your appetite.
3. Contains vitamins
The regular intake of the fruit jelly enhances your vitamin intake. Jelly contains a high proportion of Vitamin C and traces of Vitamin B. These vitamins help to boost your immune system during pregnancy and heel cut wounds effectively. It also maintains the health of your teeth and gums. Folate present in jelly helps prevent birth defects in your gestating infants. A regular consumption of royal jelly protects you from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. During pregnancy, your body has extra nutritional needs, as your unborn baby derives all the vital nutrients from your body.
4. Supplies vital minerals
Fruit jelly includes several beneficial minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc and calcium. Calcium and magnesium play a pivotal role in improving bone health of your growing fetus. Potassium helps in regulating your blood pressure level, and Iron helps in healthy blood oxygenation.
5. Reduces risk of pregnancy complexities
In pregnant women, the regular consumption of jelly reduces risks of developing neural tube defects, spina bifida, and anencephaly during fetal development.
6. Boosts nervous system health
The intake of jelly helps your unborn child overcome any developmental problems including autism. When you consume jelly during the pregnancy, it aids in the proper development of the brain and nervous system of the fetus.
7. Reduces stress
Jelly contains a high proportion of essential amino acids that helps in reduction of the excess stress. It also helps to reduce the symptoms of depression in pregnant women. Therefore, consuming jelly is beneficial for both you and your unborn baby as it helps in sufficing the nutritional needs.
Side Effects Of Eating Jelly During Pregnancy
Though jelly is safe to consume during pregnancy phase, there are few allergic reactions and complications associated with it, which include:
Chest tightness Nausea Coughing Image: Shutterstock Itchy throat Skin rashes
Did you consume jelly during pregnancy? Did it boost your immune system health? Share your story with other mommies here!
