Pregnancy is an important period in a woman’s life. It is important for them to maintain a healthy and nutritious diet throughout the period. There are many discussions regarding the foods that can and cannot be included in a woman’s pregnancy diet.
Jackfruits are one such fruit that has had mixed opinions about eating them during pregnancy. While some say it is beneficial, some people claim they are not good to be eaten during pregnancy.
In this article, let’s look into the benefits and drawbacks of jackfruits and learn whether they can be eaten during pregnancy.
Is Jackfruit Safe to Eat During Pregnancy?
Yes, jackfruits are absolutely safe to eat during pregnancy. As long as it is taken in moderate quantities, jackfruits can be a healthy addition to a pregnant woman’s diet.
Jackfruits are a great source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B6, C, potassium, and folate. They are also high in fiber, which helps with digestion during pregnancy. Additionally, jackfruits are low in fat and calories, making them a healthy choice for pregnant women.
Does Jackfruit Cause Miscarriage?
No, jackfruits do not cause miscarriage. Jackfruits do not affect a woman’s pregnancy in any way. They, in turn, have some benefits for pregnant women. Before getting into their benefits, let’s first debunk why jackfruits are associated with miscarriages.
This is one of the biggest myths about eating jackfruits during pregnancy. Studies have found that people from certain regions believe eating jackfruits during pregnancy can cause miscarriage or other complications.
This myth is most prevalent in India, where there are many such myths about foods and their effects on pregnancy. This myth mainly comes from a similar myth about “cold” and “hot” foods one can and cannot eat during pregnancy.
The terms cold and hot here do not refer to the temperature of the foods. It refers to the effect they have on the body. Foods like Chicken and Jackfruits are believed to be one of the “hot” fruits, thus complicating a woman’s pregnancy.
The Benefits Of Eating Jackfruit During Pregnancy?
As discussed above, jackfruits are a great source of healthy nutrients like vitamins A, B6, C, potassium, magnesium, folate, and niacin. Below are some of the nutritional benefits of having jackfruit during pregnancy.
1. Strengthens immune system
Jackfruits are rich in vitamins A, B, and C. They help strengthen the immune system and prevent common infections.
2. Helps maintain blood pressure during pregnancy
The high potassium levels in jackfruits help maintain blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiac diseases in pregnant women.
3. Aids in digestion
Jackfruits are rich in dietary fiber. This aids in digestion and reduces constipation. The high fiber in jackfruit has also been found to keep the uterus healthy.
4. Prevents anemia during pregnancy
Jackfruits are rich in iron and folate. This helps maintain hemoglobin levels and prevents anemia in pregnant women.
5. Strengthens bone health in mother and baby
The magnesium content in jackfruits helps strengthen bones and promotes bone health in both mother and child. This reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
6. Helps satiate pregnancy cravings
Jackfruits are a good snack to munch on when women have pregnancy cravings. They also have natural sugars like fructose and sucrose that help boost their energy.
Nutritional Facts Of Jackfruit
Jackfruits are naturally high in nutrients. Let’s look at the nutritional level one gains from 100g of jackfruit.
Note: g=grams, mg=milligrams, mcg=micrograms
| Nutrients | Nutrient level per 100g |
|---|---|
|
Calories |
95kcal
|
|
Carbohydrates |
23.25g |
|
Protein |
2.5g |
|
Fat |
0.64g |
|
Fiber |
1.5g |
|
Vitamin A |
110IU |
|
Vitamin C |
13.7mg |
|
Folic acid |
24mcg |
|
Potassium |
448mg |
|
Magnesium |
29mg |
|
Iron |
0.23mg |
|
Phosphorous |
21mg |
|
Calcium |
24mg |
|
Sodium |
2mg |
Though jackfruits are rich in nutrients, excess consumption can affect pregnancy.
Ways to Consume Jackfruit During Pregnancy
Jackfruits can be consumed in many ways. Be it the fruit or the seed, there are many ways to cook and eat them.
- The jackfruit’s flesh can be eaten raw, either ripe or unripe.
- Unripe jackfruit flesh can be a good substitute for meat, especially for pregnant women who follow a vegan diet.
- Jackfruit flesh and seeds can be cooked into jackfruit curry.
- Pregnant women can eat jackfruit seeds by boiling, roasting, or toasting them.
- It is best to eat raw jackfruit fresh. But, if they are not available in the locality, pregnant women can eat canned jackfruits.
- It is best to cook the unripe, young jackfruits.
- Pregnant women can also have deep-fried jackfruits. But they might add to the calorie count. So, having them baked, roasted, or boiled is best.
When to avoid jackfruit in pregnancy
Jackfruits are naturally high in nutrients. But there are some circumstances when you should avoid consuming them to maintain your health. Here are some cases where avoiding jackfruits will benefit you.
1. If you are allergic to jackfruits
Jackfruits might be allergic to some people. Jackfruit flesh contains a latex-like substance. This might be allergic to some people. Pregnant women who are allergic to latex should avoid jackfruits.
2. If you have digestion problems
Jackfruits are high in fiber. Overconsumption can lead to indigestion and diarrhea.
3. If you have gestational diabetes
Jackfruits contain natural sugars like fructose and sucrose that can increase blood sugar levels. This makes jackfruits a bad choice if you have gestational diabetes.
Conclusion
Eating jackfruits in moderate amounts during pregnancy can be very beneficial for the growth and development of the mother and child. They have all the essential nutrients you might need to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Just take note of any allergies you may have and eat jackfruits healthily. You can also eat these fruits in salads, smoothies, etc. So get creative and eat your jackfruits the way you like them.
Yes, jackfruits are safe to eat during pregnancy (as long as they are taken in limited amounts). Constipation is common during 0pregnancy. Jackfruits are abundant with dietary fiber. This can aid digestion and prevent constipation issues.
Women who are allergic to latex or birch pollen should avoid eating jackfruit. These allergies may have a reaction to Jackfruit. Jackfruit’s high potassium level may harm people with chronic kidney illness or acute kidney failure. These people should stay away from jackfruits.
Unlike raw jackfruit, which produces heat, ripe jackfruit has a cooling impact on the body and contains various minerals and vitamins that help restore our bodies. In addition, jackfruit is high in vitamin C, which might help boost the body’s immunity.
Jackfruits are abundant in nutrients like manganese, copper, potassium, iron, and calcium. Furthermore, its high fiber content aids digestion, and its lack of sugar makes it a suitable fruit for diabetics. Overall, its nutritional profile aids in the improvement of female fertility.
