Figs during pregnancy - the benefits and harm

When carrying a child, women need to be selective in their approach to food. Very many of them are either contraindicated or need to be dosed. And the main reason for this approach is high calorie content. This is especially true for sweet treats, which include figs. Is it possible for pregnant women to eat this exotic fruit, how is it beneficial for the woman’s body and in what cases it can harm?

Specificity of figs

Smakovnitsa, toffee, fig tree - this is only a small part of the names of figs. In this case, the so-called tree itself, and its fruits. The birthplace of the fig tree is ancient Arabia, but its popularity quickly spread to Egypt, Phenicia and Syria. Today, the wine berry can be found on the forest slopes of the mountain ranges of Georgia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and the North Caucasus.

Figs - is a classic subtropical tree, preferring a warm climate.In length it can reach 12 m. The color of its trunk is dark gray, the crown is sprawling with large, wide leaves. The color of the fruit depends on the type of tree: it ranges from yellow to deep blue. The most common variety of figs has a yellow-green shade and looks something like a pear.

Calorie figs

Per 100 grams of raw figs account for 74 kcal. In stores, sometimes there are canned figs, whose caloric content is 53 kcal per 100 grams. The most high-calorie dried fruits - in them 257 kcal. Dried figs should not be consumed by pregnant women, as this can lead to rapid weight gain.

The composition and availability of nutrients

Fruits of the date tree are considered a source of such components as:

1. Natural fructose, which provides nutrition to absolutely all cells of the body.
2. Dietary fiber, the regular use of which can normalize the work of the intestine. This is especially important for pregnant women who are faced with the problem of constipation and discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Apple acid. It stimulates the metabolism, improves blood circulation, activates the enzymes involved in the removal of excess fluid from the body (this property will help women get rid of edema).Thanks to the consumption of figs rich in malic acid, it is possible to increase the body's resistance to bacterial infections.
4. Potassium, necessary for the normalization of water-salt balance. The lack of potassium in the mother’s body carries great risks for the full development of the child. In particular, this electrolyte supplies the brain with oxygen.
5. Vitamin B1 and B3. Thiamine is responsible for generating energy in the cells of the mother's body. Therefore, in case of an insufficient amount of it, the fetus may lag behind in development. Nicotinic acid prevents the formation of blood clots and blockage of vessels in the placenta. Its low content in the body of a woman also leads to abnormalities in the liver.

Contraindications

With care to eat figs should be approached in the following cases:

• diabetes;
• pancreatitis;
• gout;
• inflammation in the digestive tract.

The composition of figs includes sorrel acid, contraindicated for people with kidney disease and urinary tract.

Medicinal properties of figs

On the basis of the wine berries can be prepared many unique tools that have a beneficial effect on the body.So, it makes a very effective antipyretic. For its preparation you will need 1 glass of milk and a few tablespoons of dried and crushed fig stems. Fruits need to be boiled in milk so that it evaporated exactly twice. Take ¼ cup at least 2 times a day. This tool is often used for hoarseness, problems with vocal cords and bronchitis.

Another excellent recipe, through which you can strengthen the immune system - a syrup based on figs. For its preparation will require 7-8 large fruits and 250 ml of water. Figs put in a saucepan, fill with water and boil over low heat for 25 minutes. We take out a fig, we add waters to its initial quantity and we fall asleep 200 grams of sugar. Once again, put the mixture on a slow fire until the sugar is completely dissolved, add the juice of half a lemon and cool it. Syrup needs to drink a few tablespoons before each meal.

For constipation, you can use the following recipe: 50 g of dried and chopped fig fruits need to be poured with a liter of boiling water and boil for half an hour on a small fire itself.The resulting infusion is desirable to drink a day, divided into three times.

Choosing figs

1. Avoid fruits with a characteristic white mold web and a sharp sour smell.
2. A rumpled or too hard fig is not worth eating - it will not do any harm, but it will have a specific taste.
3. You can not store fruit in the refrigerator for a long time. Maximum - within 3 days after purchase, and then it will gradually deteriorate.
4. Raw figs should be washed immediately before eating under running water.

How to eat figs

During pregnancy, the fruit of the fig tree can be consumed in any form: raw, fried or dried. It is best not to subject them to heat treatment, because fresh wine berries contain the minimum amount of sugar. The peel of the fig is edible, so it needs to be thoroughly washed, removing only the stem. If you don't like its texture, you can carefully cut it.To enjoy the taste of the fruit, it must be cut in half and eat with a spoon. Figs go well with butter, soft cheeses.

Figs during pregnancy - a useful and very tasty product that does not pose a threat to the mother's health (if a woman does not suffer from the diseases mentioned above). This exotic fruit will enrich the body with essential nutrients and provide a feeling of satiety for several hours.

Video: dried figs during pregnancy