Pregnancy Over 40, Figs In Your Diet
See my entire series on foods for fertility and pregnancy at: www.getpregnantover40.com
Figs seem to be a forgotten fruit - I had overlooked them until one of my blog readers sent me a link to this article about why people should eat figs when they're pregnant. Read more:1. Figs have a higher overall mineral profile than any other common fruit or vegetable. They are particularly high in calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc, key nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.
2. The high potassium content of figs may help to control blood pressure and therefore, the hypertension associated with preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy condition.
3. The mineral content of figs closely resembles that of human breast milk!
4. Figs have the highest fiber content of any common fruit. Rich in both insoluble and soluble fiber, figs really help to mitigate the constipation so common during pregnancy.
5. Figs contain a proteolytic enzyme that also aids in digestion, which is naturally slowed during pregnancy.
6. Figs are highly alkaline, and therefore alkalizing, which has been shown to help curb cravings. This may help control those less-than-healthy urges that can sabotage a healthy pregnancy diet.
7. Figs are high in vitamin B6, which has long been thought to be beneficial in alleviating morning sickness.
8. Even the leaves of figs are therapeutic: ingesting them has been shown to reduce and even eliminate the need for insulin in diabetic patients. Therefore, ingesting them may help to control or avoid a case of gestational diabetes. Furthermore, this ability to balance blood sugar levels should help to relieve a whole host of symptoms – from morning sickness to mood swings.
9. Dried figs contain significant amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to the optimal development of the fetus. Consuming ample Omega-3’s during pregnancy is also associated with a lower incidence of pre-term labor and premature delivery.
10. Psoralens, a chemical found in figs, has been used to treat many skin pigmentation problems and may be beneficial in preventing melasma, the “mask of pregnancy”.
from
www.rawmom.com
