Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 30 May 2023
When you are pregnant, it is quite natural for well-wishers to advise you to start consuming fruits and vegetables to enhance the health of both the mother and the baby. However, if it’s about pregnancy, there will always be different perspectives.
For instance, some say to consume mangoes to strengthen the bones of the growing fetus, whereas others say not to consume them as they generate heat in the expectant mother’s body. Even though both perspectives are true, it confuses expectant mothers on whether to include mangoes in their diet or not.
This blog collaborates tips from several gynaecologists to help you better differentiate fruits to consume and fruits to avoid during pregnancy.
Even though fruits are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fibres, it is suggested to be consumed in moderation, especially during pregnancy. The consumption of excessive fruits can have a negative impact on health as certain fruits contain high glucose and fructose. This can influence insulin resistance, body weight, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Especially, in women who have an increased risk of getting gestational diabetes.
It is also essential to understand that certain fruits can potentially cause uterine contractions, constipation issues, hormonal imbalances, and generate heat.
Let’s scroll down to know the list of fruits that cannot be consumed during pregnancy.
Papayas are an essential source of vitamin C, vitamin A, minerals, and antioxidants when consumed ripened. However, the consumption of unripe or raw papayas can lead to early uterine contractions as it has the enzyme called papain and latex. In certain scenarios, the unripe or raw papayas can cause preterm labour or miscarriage. Hence, it is suggested to avoid consuming unripe or raw papayas, not even in moderation.
Alike papaya, it is believed that the consumption of pineapple can cause early uterine contractions because of the enzyme bromelain. This can typically lead to preterm labour or miscarriage when consumed excessively. Furthermore, the fruit can also deteriorate acid reflux and heartburn, which are usual in expectant mothers.
During the pregnancy period, experts advise expectant mothers to consume grapes in moderation. Particularly in the third trimester. The excessive consumption of grapes can lead to insulin resistance issues, and indigestion, and generates heat in the body, which might harm both the mother and the growing baby. The excessive consumption of grapes is strictly prohibited especially to women who have an increased risk of getting gestational diabetes.
To enjoy the nutritional value of oranges, experts advise to consume only one in a day. Even though they are safe for expectant mothers, consuming excessively can cause heartburn and issues related to indigestion.
While polyphenol-rich fruits are nutritious and safe, consuming them excessively can lead to serious health risks for the growing baby. The health risks may include fetal ductal constriction. The fetal ductal constriction is when the ductus arteriosus in the fetus tends to narrow down prematurely, sometimes closing completely, during conception. This can contribute to the development of serious health risks such as pulmonary hypertension in the fetus, right heart failure, hydrops fetalis (accumulation of excess fluid in the fetus), or even stillbirth. Because of this, too much consumption of oranges is a strict no, particularly in the third trimester.
Some of the polyphenol-rich fruits are cherries, blueberries, grapes, blackcurrants, strawberries, plums, grapefruits, and lemons.
Let’s scroll down to know the list of fruits that can be consumed during pregnancy.
Since apples are an essential source of fibre, vitamins and minerals, they can be consumed all through the pregnancy period. The consumption of apples can help boost immunity, reduce the risk of allergies and asthma, aid in digestion, and overcome constipation.
While citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C content, it enhances the absorption of iron. The consumption of citrus fruits during pregnancy can minimize the risk of neural tube defects in the growing baby. This is potentially possible since the fruit contains nutrients like folate. Furthermore, the fruit is also helpful in keeping the expectant mothers hydrated and managing the symptoms like nausea.
Including bananas in the pregnant woman’s diet can provide numerous benefits. The benefits may include preventing constipation, managing the symptoms like nausea, and regulating blood pressure. The fruit contains fibre, vitamin B6, and potassium.
Kiwis are a great choice for expectant mothers as the fruit contains nutrients like antioxidants, vitamin B9 folate, and fibre. Since the fruit has Vitamin B9 folate, it plays a crucial role in enhancing fetal growth. It also helps to minimize the risk of neural tube defects in the growing baby, specifically in the first trimester of the pregnancy. The fruit is also helpful to manage constipation issues and enhance immunity.
Apart from the high water content in the watermelon, the fruit also contains other nutritional values like antioxidants and vitamins. The key benefits of consuming watermelon during pregnancy may include managing pregnancy symptoms like constipation, morning sickness, and heartburn.
Mangoes provide several health benefits, particularly when consumed during pregnancy. This is because the fruit contains the essential source of antioxidants, fibre, minerals, and vitamins. The moderate consumption of mangoes can enhance the health of both the mother and the growing fetus. The fruit is also helpful to manage one of the most common pregnancy complications, which is constipation.
Muskmelon is a great choice in a pregnant woman’s diet as it contains potassium, vitamins A and C, and folate. All these nutrients are essential for ensuring the health of both the mother and the baby. The key benefits of consuming muskmelon during pregnancy may include boosting immunity and enhancing fetal growth.
The consumption of apricots during pregnancy can help with improving digestion, regulating blood sugar levels, and enhancing eye health. Apricots contain iron, fibre, antioxidants, and beta-carotene. All these nutrients are helpful in managing pregnancy symptoms like constipation. They are also helpful to combat anaemia and enhance overall fetal growth.
Pomegranates offer several benefits because of their nutritional value. They are a good source of antioxidants, folate, vitamin C and iron. These nutrients are crucial to maintain the health of both the mother and the baby. The fruit also helps to prevent oxidative stress and manage pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness. In addition, pomegranate juice helps to enhance the placental function and combat risks that are associated with preeclampsia. Furthermore, it is also helpful in preventing preterm labour and growth restriction.
Following are some of the essential precautions that are advised by the experts to practice in order to prevent expectant mothers from infections and illnesses.
In general, a woman can consume any fruits during pregnancy as they hold the promise to provide certain benefits based on their nutritional values. Each and every fruit has its own nutritional value. However, consuming them in moderation is the key to enjoying their benefits. Yet, certain fruits like raw papaya should be avoided completely because of their potential risks.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns regarding your diet.
1. Which fruit is a complete no during pregnancy?
Generally, unripe papayas are the complete no for pregnant women. However, other fruits like pineapple and grapes also have certain restrictions like to consume in moderation. Too much consumption of watermelon can lead to dehydration as it causes frequent urination in pregnant women. No matter what fruits you consume during pregnancy, other than unripe papayas, limited consumption can provide several health benefits.
2. Is it best to avoid fruit juices during pregnancy?
Even though fruit juices are packed with nutritional values, unpasteurised ones are to be avoided as they may contain bacteria. This may lead to foodborne diseases and compromise the immune system. However, juices from pomegranates, carrots and oranges can essentially help with enhancing the overall health of the growing fetus.
3. What is the appropriate time to consume fruits?
As per experts, the appropriate time to consume fruits is in the morning. You can also consume them as part of the meal in the breakfast, noon or supper. Doing this will help to enhance the digestion of pregnant women.
4. Which fruits help with fetal brain development?
Numerous fruits contribute to the development of the fetal brain during pregnancy. Especially, the fruits that contain folate. Some of the folate-containing fruits are guava, pomegranate, banana, mango, avocado, and oranges.
5. Which fruit helps manage pregnancy symptoms?
In general, oranges and bananas are a great choice when it comes to managing pregnancy symptoms. These fruits also aid in digestion, managing nausea, and regulating blood pressure.
