Spinach during pregnancy - the benefits and harm

For nine months, the pregnant woman and the fetus are one. On how the future mother eats, depends on the development, health and even the life expectancy of the baby. A pregnant woman tries to form her diet in such a way that both she and her future baby receive the maximum of nutrients. To enter the body the necessary amount of vitamins and fiber, special attention should be paid to vegetables, fruits and greens.

Spinach - the most rich in healthy substances representative greens. It refers to herbaceous one- or two-year-old members of the genus haze. First, a rosette of leaves is formed, which are eaten.

In America and Europe, spinach is widespread, the French rightly call him the king of vegetables. In our country, it is still treated with a certain waryness, preferring a variety of salads, greens, cabbage. Most likely, this is due to fresh taste.However, this green vegetable has more and more fans.

Spinach benefits

The leaves contain many vitamins and other substances that are essential during pregnancy in order to ensure its normal flow and proper development of the fetus.

This green has a beneficial effect on the female body, helping to overcome many diseases:

1. It is especially necessary to note the significant content of folic acid necessary for a woman both during pregnancy and during the preparation for it. Folic acid is absorbed from spinach by 85–90 percent, and from vitamin complexes in much smaller quantities.
2. Contained in the leaves of spinach iodine is necessary for the formation of the nervous system and brain of the fetus. During pregnancy, the female body often lacks this element, spinach will help to cope with this problem.
3. Vitamin K will ensure the smooth functioning of the heart muscle. It will help the best absorption of calcium, will not allow it to be washed out of bones and teeth. During pregnancy, calcium is particularly necessary, as it is the building material for the skeletal system of the fetus.If calcium is not enough, the woman has problems with the health of the teeth, nails and hair, the bones become more brittle.
4. One of the common problems that pregnant women face is iron deficiency. During this period, the amount of blood in the body increases significantly, and the hemoglobin level decreases. Eating green will help replenish iron stores. The iron that comes in with the leaves of spinach is absorbed more completely than from the pharmacy vitamins.
5. A large amount of fiber contained in the green, helps to cope with constipation, which are observed in many future moms. Dishes containing spinach, will help the body get rid of toxins and toxins, will improve digestion.
6. Low-calorie greens. Its use will help not gain extra pounds that can complicate the course of pregnancy and childbirth.
7. Spinach has an antioxidant effect, reduces the amount of free radicals, thus preventing oxidation reactions.
8. Beta-carotene in combination with vitamin C strengthens blood vessels and makes their walls more elastic.
9. Lutein has a beneficial effect on vision, reducing fatigue and muscle tension.
10. Spinach strengthens the gums, serves to prevent periodontal disease.

Eating spinach will help a pregnant woman get the necessary portion of vitamins and minerals, improve her well-being and mood.

Spinach's Harmful Properties

Despite the huge number of useful properties, spinach has contraindications. They are caused by a large amount of oxalic acid. In the presence of diseases of the excretory system and kidneys, gastritis and ulcers, eating spinach-containing foods should be limited.

Eating spinach

For food, you must use young green leaves, they are much more useful. Dishes with spinach can be included in your diet every other day, consuming no more than 300 grams. Spinach is used not only for the preparation of salads, soups, casseroles. Freshly squeezed spinach juice will help in the fight against dry cough, they can rinse the sore throat, get rid of bleeding gums. Spinach, boiled in olive oil, will cure eczema and burns, lighten pigment spots that often appear on the skin in the second half of pregnancy.

Storage

The disadvantages of greenery include a small shelf life.Fresh leaves are stored in the refrigerator for no more than 8 days. Fresh young leaves are put in the salad. If the greens overgrown, bitterness appeared in taste, they are scalded and heat treated. Spinach is added to soups, casseroles, warm salads. For long-term storage, spinach is frozen, salted, dried. Leaves prepared in this way can be stored for about a year.

Spinach is extremely useful, try to include it more often in your diet at any time of the year. Healthy nutrition is the key to proper infant development.

Video: Useful Properties of Spinach