Dates during pregnancy: is this sweetness healthy?

Dates for pregnant women: benefits and harms

Dates are fast carbohydrates, they are high in calories and saturate the body with energy in a matter of minutes.
They contain a large proportion of fructose and vegetable proteins, which is why they are so filling and sweet. As for useful substances, dates can surprise you. B vitamins, especially B9 (folic acid), ascorbic acid, magnesium, iron, potassium, copper, beta-carotene and others.

A pregnant woman during childbirth needs oxytocin, in simple words, it is the hormone that causes contractions. It is found in dried fruits.

By consuming dates, you will contribute in advance to reducing labor time, and you will not be aware of the problem of lack of breast milk.

Benefits of dates

1. The body produces serotonin. The hormone of happiness – improves mood and relieves stress.
2. Stimulates the body to produce oxytocin.
3. Increases immunity.
4. Remove excess water from the body.
5. Eliminate one of the main problems of pregnancy - constipation.

Harm from dates

First, and most importantly, dates contain a lot of fructose. Fructose is a simple sugar that is healthier than regular cane or beet sugar. But they shouldn’t get carried away either. Dates are not recommended for diabetics.

Dates for pregnant women who are prone to obesity are not an essential product. Of course, you can treat yourself to a few sweet fruits, but no more.

Calorie content of dates is 280 kcal/100 grams. The weight of one average date is about 20 grams; such a berry contains approximately 8 kcal.

Dates can cause tooth decay, so rinse your mouth with water after each meal.

As we can see, dates can only be harmful if you do not adhere to the recommended daily intake.

The daily intake of dates for an adult is 5-6 pieces/day.

Vitamins in dates

Vitamins play an important role during pregnancy. Dates contain them in large quantities. These exotic fruits are famous for their high levels of vitamin A, or beta-carotene. This component maintains eye health. During pregnancy, some body functions may be impaired, including vision. Vitamin A also affects the growth of nails, hair, and facial skin. After all, you can often hear from a pregnant woman about hair loss and brittle nail plates.

Dates also contain an antioxidant such as vitamin C. It will help maintain the full functioning of the expectant mother’s immune system. And in combination with vitamin E, they neutralize the effects of free radicals on the body’s cells. There are a lot of B vitamins in fruits:

• AT 2. Takes part in metabolism, protein metabolism. The vitamin normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, restores all mucous membranes, and improves the functioning of the digestive system.
• AT 3. Normalizes carbohydrate metabolism, gives the body strength and energy. Dilates blood vessels, which normalizes blood circulation.
• AT 5. Takes part in fat metabolism.
• AT 6. Normalizes the tone of the uterus, alleviates the manifestations of toxicosis.
• AT 9. It is of great importance for heredity. Participates in the formation of nucleic acids RNA and DNA. This vitamin is also called folic acid.

Scientists have found that this vitamin complex helps maintain a normal mental state of a pregnant woman. And thanks to the high level of vitamin B6 in the body, the nervous system is strengthened and stress resistance increases. It is very important to feel happy during pregnancy and not succumb to stress and external irritants.

Can pregnant women eat dates?

It is possible and necessary, but only in moderation. B vitamins will strengthen the central nervous system, and folic acid will form the child’s central nervous system; the need for folic acid increases significantly during pregnancy.

Iron will prevent the development of anemia in the expectant mother; another useful property of dates is the normalization of hemoglobin.

Potassium normalizes the process of water metabolism in the body of the expectant mother. Potassium deficiency can occur due to toxicosis, which leads to swelling of the body. Potassium also transports oxygen, while normalizing blood pressure.

Phosphorus, calcium and magnesium are needed for the proper development of the baby’s musculoskeletal system. A deficiency of these substances will affect the pregnant woman, which can cause teeth to deteriorate and bones to weaken.

Fructose ensures the functioning of all muscles, including the brain and uterus during childbirth. Dates will help you enter a new rhythm of life after childbirth, while providing the woman with energy.

Date pulp contains fiber, which has a laxative effect, which is important for pregnant women who suffer from toxicosis and problems with gastrointestinal functions. However, do not forget that an extra portion of dates will cause the system to work in the other direction and cause indigestion.

Dates are not allergenic, except in some cases of fructose intolerance by the body. The list of harm from dates is very short, so pay attention to this product.

Can pregnant women eat dates?

A considerable proportion of expectant mothers are wary of products of exotic origin, and this is quite reasonable: many of the overseas fruits can provoke allergies and thereby cause a lot of trouble. However, there is no need to worry about dates - doctors unanimously declare that they are extremely safe and beneficial for the health of a pregnant woman. It is not for nothing that dates are the most valuable dried fruit in the Far East, having a regenerating effect on the body.

Date Recipes

Before preparing or consuming dried fruits, rinse them with hot water.

Stuffed apples

Ingredients:

• apples – 3 pieces;
• pine nuts – 40 grams;
• cashews – 40 grams;
• almonds – 40 grams;
• raisins – 40 grams;
• figs – 5 pieces;
• dates – 8 pieces;
• honey – 3 tbsp. l.;
• cinnamon - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Prepare all the necessary ingredients.
2. Cut dates, raisins and figs into small pieces.
3. Chop the nuts in a mortar or rolling pin, sprinkle with cinnamon.
4. Combine nuts and dried fruits, add honey.
5. Make “cups” out of apples. Cut off the top cap and remove the pulp from the apple.
6. Stuff the apples with a mixture of nuts and dried fruits. Prick the sides of the apples with a toothpick.
7. Bake apples in the oven for 35 minutes at 180 degrees. Before serving, you can drizzle with a little honey or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Bon appetit!

Curd casserole with dried fruits

Ingredients:

• cottage cheese – 500 grams;
• eggs – 3 pieces;
• honey – 5 tbsp. l.;
• semolina – 1.5 tbsp. l.;
• dates – 10 pieces;
• dried apricots – 20 pieces;
• prunes – 5 pieces;
• vanilla - to taste;
• cinnamon - to taste;
• salt - on the tip of the knife;
• baking powder – 1 tsp..

Preparation:

1. Prepare all ingredients.
2. Beat eggs with vanilla with a mixer.
3. Add semolina, cottage cheese, honey, baking powder, cinnamon and salt to them. Mix the casserole base.
4. Finely chop all dried fruits. Connect them to the base.
5. Take a baking pan and line it with parchment or grease it with butter.
6. Bake the casserole for 35-40 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees. Before serving, you can decorate with powdered sugar. Bon appetit!

Dates before childbirth are beneficial and a guarantee of an easy birth process. They are not only a substitute for sweets, but also beneficial for the expectant mother and newborn.

A simple sweetness will lift your spirits and help replenish your energy and nutrients.

One important rule - eat dates, not forgetting about the possible consequences in the form of stomach upset and excess weight.

Beneficial features

The product is nutritious and has many elements that the body needs during pregnancy. Dates for pregnant women before childbirth are excellent helpers; they promote rapid restoration of strength due to the presence of natural sugar in the composition. But you should not be overzealous with eating this dried fruit, because eating them excessively will lead to a significant increase in body weight or constipation.

Dates have a positive effect on the digestive system, namely their dietary fiber. The product contains all B vitamins. This means that the condition of the cardiovascular, nervous and digestive systems automatically improves. The positive effect is noticeable in the process of hematopoiesis and metabolism.

Folic acid, one of the most necessary components for normal fetal formation, is also included in the product. It helps prevent the development of congenital pathologies in a child. The presence of vitamin C in the product helps improve the immunity and skin condition of the expectant mother.

Can dates induce labor? The product contains a phytohormone, the effect of which is similar to that of oxytocin. It tones the uterus, thereby provoking the onset of labor. Everything goes correctly and in its own way.

Eating dates during childbirth helps to improve lactation; they promote milk production in the mother's breast. In the postpartum period, the effect of the fruit is aimed at restoring the body's strength.

In the later stages, the product is included in the diet of every pregnant woman, because it helps her overcome iron deficiency anemia. To get rid of low hemoglobin, it is enough to eat 10-15 pieces per day.

How many dates do you need to eat before labor starts? For the effectiveness of dried fruit, eat at least 15 pieces. But this does not mean that contractions will begin immediately. The body must be ready for labor. Dates can be used to induce labor only after consultation with an obstetrician.

Negative aspects of using the product

It is not always allowed to eat dried fruit during the prenatal period. There are some circumstances when dates should not be eaten during childbirth.

It is not recommended to include the product in the diet of a pregnant woman if:

1. predisposition to the development of diabetes in the expectant mother;
2. the presence of food allergic reactions in women;
3. overweight;
4. fructose intolerance;
5. low blood pressure;
6. irregular bowel movements.

Before you start consuming dried fruit, it is better to inform your doctor about your intention. If you eat 5-10 dates for labor, this is beneficial, but if you consume the product excessively, uterine tone occurs. Then the delivery of oxygen to the baby is disrupted, and he begins to suffer. Fetal hypoxia is fraught with consequences; with a lack of oxygen, parts of the brain die. This does not go unnoticed. Possible deviations in speech development and other pathologies.

Before you decide to take action and induce labor yourself, you should carefully weigh all the risks. After all, it is possible to cause enormous harm to the baby’s health, which is not always treatable. The condition of the expectant mother suffers due to excessive consumption of dates.

It is not recommended to consume dried fruit earlier than 37 weeks. This will lead to premature birth. Miscarriage is possible if there are a large number of dates in the diet in the early stages.

Recipes with dates to speed up labor

If you are tired of eating a product separately, you can try eating it in some dish or drink. These are salads, pastas and tea with dried fruit.

Beverages

Champagne with dates. A little alcohol with a bite of dried fruit will help a woman relax and get rid of the fear of impending childbirth. As a result, the process of having a baby will move forward. Champagne to induce labor is used after consultation with a doctor. We are not talking about a bottle of alcoholic drink; just drinking a glass is enough to achieve your goal. Wine is also suitable for stimulating labor; it is better to take red wine, it will be more effective.

Raspberry tea with dates. To prepare the drink, you need to take raspberry leaves and boil for 3-5 minutes in 300 grams of water. Pour the liquid into a mug, add a teaspoon of honey. Drink hot or cold with a few dates. Raspberry tea speeds up labor, and in combination with dried fruit, the baby will appear even faster.

Cocktail with dates. Mix kefir (250 g), 8-10 date palm fruits, nuts, honey. Beat all ingredients in a blender and drink. Dates induce labor, and kefir will help normalize stool.

Dishes

Salad with tangerines. Take 3 tangerines, 5-10 dates, an apple, 2 ginger roots, 100 g of grapefruit juice. Cut the fruit into cups. To prepare the dressing, grate ginger root, grapefruit juice and simmer over low heat for 5-7 minutes. Next, you need to combine all the ingredients, pour in the sauce and eat to induce labor.

Orange salad. You need 2 oranges, dates, walnuts, 250 g of fermented baked milk and cinnamon. Mix diced fruits and nuts, pour in fermented baked milk, add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of sugar or honey, cinnamon to taste. Use immediately upon completion of preparation. The dish contains two components that have a positive effect on the expectant mother. These are dates and cinnamon to induce labor. The main thing is not to overdo it with volumes, so as not to provoke constipation.

What to eat to give birth faster:

1. a pineapple;
2. banana;
3. basil;
4. eggplant;
5. eat parsley to give birth faster;
6. olive oil;
7. oregano.

These foods can induce labor or prepare the body for the arrival of the baby. It is recommended to include them in the diet from 37 weeks. Then the neck will soften and smooth out in time. Mothers who have been helped by dates to induce labor say that the process of giving birth to a child was quick and smooth. There were also no breaks or cracks.

Dates are a healthy dried fruit, but you need to eat them on time. You should not eat the product in the early stages, so as not to provoke premature birth. If there are contraindications, it is better to refrain from eating the fruit.

Sweets during pregnancy are allowed, but in moderation, because they significantly affect the weight of the expectant mother. Doctors recommend avoiding chocolate and flour altogether so that a pregnant woman feels as comfortable as possible. However, it is impossible to completely eliminate sweets from your life, and if you really want to eat some kind of delicacy, then it is better to give preference to natural products that contain sugar. One of these products is the date - a unique fruit of eastern origin, which was revered by our distant ancestors, because people believed that dates improve health and prolong life. In this article we will take a closer look at whether you can eat dates during pregnancy.

How to choose and eat dates

1. It is necessary to choose ripe, colored fruits that do not have mold or cracks. If you choose a fruit that is dried according to all technologies, therefore, it retains all the beneficial properties.
2. Be sure to rinse with boiling water or resort to other heat treatment before use.
3. This fruit must be stored in the refrigerator: in a container, but not in a bag.

Therefore, we can say that women can safely consume dates while expecting a baby. However, do not forget to initially consult with a qualified specialist in the field of gynecology in order not to overdo it with the required amount of vitamins.

Dates during pregnancy. What is this dried fruit?

Dates are a special product that in ancient times was considered the favorite fruit of the gods and nobles. It was for the pharaohs of Egypt that many different dishes were prepared from dates; this fruit was not available to anyone else. The doctors of the world's first civilization knew how to make medicine from dates. For example, they were able to squeeze honey out of these fruits to treat impotence. Arabs still use this folk remedy to improve sexual power in men. In general, dates are “bread” for these people, because they eat this fruit all the time.

The Egyptians valued dates very much. This is confirmed by pictures depicting dates on the walls of the tombs of the pharaohs. But among the Phoenicians, the date palm was generally a sacred tree, symbolizing youth, fertility and immortality. In addition, it was used as a calendar: the fact is that at the beginning of each month a new leaf appeared on the palm tree in place of the old one, which had fallen off. As soon as people noticed such a phenomenon, they celebrated the beginning of a new month.

Translated from Latin, the word date means finger-bearing phoenix. There are many legends associated with this plant:

• the Prophet Muhammad spoke to people, towering on the frame of a date palm tree;
• The Virgin Mary ate dates during childbirth to alleviate her condition (dates are known to contain oxytocin, which helps women not only during labor, but also after childbirth).

According to one legend, one girl who never smiled really wanted to know what happiness was. She turned to the Rabbi for this, who advised her to eat 3 dates every day. The girl followed his advice and began to smile. The fact is that there is a scientific explanation for this fact. Dates contain serotonin, a hormone of happiness that gives a person cheerfulness.

In China, dates are eaten every day, because they are confident that these fruits can not only significantly prolong life, but also provide great benefits to the human body:

1. If you eat dates instead of sweets, you can maintain normal blood sugar levels without overeating or starving. Only for this you need to eat a few dates on an empty stomach.
2. Dates support normal brain function in older people because they contain tryptophan, which also prevents the rapid aging process of the human body and promotes normal sleep.
3. Thanks to the glutamine amino acid contained in dates, excess stomach acid is not formed in the stomach, and, accordingly, the unpleasant feeling of heartburn does not occur.
4. Dates also contain selenium, a substance that reduces the risk of developing cancer and heart pathologies in humans.
5. The fruits have a huge number of different useful substances in their composition. Scientists have found that if a person eats 10 dates a day, he will cover his daily need for minerals such as sulfur, magnesium, iron and calcium. In addition, in this way you can increase brain function, which will become 20% more productive.
6. Dates should be eaten to prevent the development of pathogenic bacteria in the human body.
7. Dates help a person recover quickly if he is very physically tired.
8. A person who often suffers from intestinal disorders should eat dates. The Russian scientist I. I. Mechnikov came to this conclusion.
9. If a person drinks a large amount of antibiotics, then he must additionally eat dates, which will reduce their side effects.
10. Dates are good for women who are breastfeeding. Fruits enrich mother's milk with the vitamins the baby needs.
11. Dates protect teeth from caries and other diseases that can occur with tooth enamel and gums.
12. During premenstrual syndrome in women, eating dates is very beneficial. They will act on the body as a powerful pain reliever. The fact is that the effect of dates on the human body is somewhat reminiscent of the effect of aspirin.

Julia UmmSabir

Dates and their benefits Dates are a fruit whose name is especially common in many verses of the Koran. Among the many beauties and delicious dishes that are prepared for true believers in Paradise, “incomparable dates” are also mentioned (Sura Rahman, 68).

When studying the chemical composition of this fruit, which Allah Almighty specifically informs us about in the Quran, many unique features were discovered.

Dates are one of the oldest fruits known to man and are still an important part of the diet in many countries around the world today due to their delicate, sweet taste and unique nutritional characteristics.

More and more amazing features of this fruit, discovered by scientists, have made this fruit not only an exquisite variety of food, but also a medicine for a number of diseases and ailments. The verses of the Quran also draw our special attention to the benefits of dates and when their use is most necessary for a person. Let us quote one of the verses of Surah “Maryam”:

She went up to the trunk of the date palm, unable to endure the labor pains, and exclaimed: “Oh, if only I had died before this and been forgotten forever!” Then ['Isa] called out from his bosom: “Do not be sad, your Lord has created a stream near you. So shake the trunk of the palm tree and fresh dates will fall on you. Now eat, drink and be glad..." (Sura Maryam, 19:23-26)

At the moment of labor pains, the Almighty Lord inspired the righteous Maryam, peace be upon her, to taste the fruits of dates. This instruction of the Koran carries the highest Divine wisdom.

Only recently have scientists been able to appreciate the greatest benefits of dates for facilitating childbirth, as well as for pregnant women and the fetus. It turns out that dates contain a very high percentage of sugar - 60-65%, this is one of the highest levels among all fruits.

Doctors strongly recommend that women on the eve and on the day of childbirth be sure to consume foods containing fructose. The fact is that fructose provides energy and vitality to the mother’s body, weakened by pregnancy, and at the same time triggers a whole cascade of chemical reactions in the mother’s body, which contributes to the start of the mammary glands producing a sufficient amount of milk, which is necessary for a newborn baby from the first minutes of life.

In addition, during childbirth, a woman loses a significant amount of blood, which causes a decrease in sugar levels in the body. Dates are important, first of all, for the intake of additional sugar into the body in order to prevent a decrease in blood pressure. Due to the high calorie content of these fruits, dates are especially useful for people weakened by illness or tired, because they very quickly restore a person’s energy.

This information shows us the Divine wisdom of the command of Allah, inspired by the righteous Maryam, for dates provide the mother with energy and strength and stimulate the process of starting milk production - the only nutrition of a newborn child.

It is noteworthy that dates contain more than 10 elements necessary for health and sobriety of thought. Today, scientists have come to the conclusion that a person can live for several years eating only dates and water. One of the most authoritative experts in the field of nutrition, Dr. V.Kh. Dawson states that one date and one glass of milk is enough to meet a person's daily nutritional needs.

The chemical oxytocin contained in dates is used in modern medicine as a birth aid. Oxytocin, due to its properties of accelerating the process of labor, is described in many scientific sources as a means of “quick labor”. Moreover, it is also surprising that immediately after the birth process, oxytocin begins to act in the mother’s body as a substance that triggers the mechanism of milk production by the mammary glands.

Oxytocin is essentially a hormone produced by the posterior pituitary gland of the brain that initiates labor contractions by causing contraction of the uterine and hip muscles. All prenatal preparations in the mother's body begin under the influence of this hormone. The influence of the hormone oxytocin is manifested in the muscle cells that ensure the production of mother's milk and in the muscles of the mother's uterus.

For the successful completion of the birth process, proper contraction of the uterine muscles is very important. Oxytocin, in turn, promotes increased contraction of the uterine muscles. In addition, oxytocin, as soon as the birth process is over, continues its action in the body, but now stimulating the production of milk by the mammary glands, which the child needs from the first hours of life.

This feature of dates alone - the content of oxytocin - is an important proof of the Divine revelation of the Qur'an.

The discovery of the enormous benefits of dates for medicine, and above all, in obstetrics, became possible quite recently thanks to the latest advances in medicine. Whereas in the Koran, more than 1400 years before this discovery, the Almighty God granted the righteous Maryam knowledge of the benefits of this fruit during pregnancy and to facilitate childbirth.

In addition, dates contain a high percentage of easily digestible sugar, quickly broken down by the body - fructose, which is necessary to maintain the body's activity and generate thermal energy. Fructose in dates is different from regular sugars, glucose, which cause a sharp rise in blood sugar levels. A sharp increase in blood sugar levels is very dangerous for people with many diseases, especially diabetes. High blood sugar has a negative impact on many internal organs; the kidneys, vision, cardiovascular and nervous systems of a person suffer the most from this.

High blood sugar is the main cause of many serious diseases and can lead to vision loss, heart attack, kidney failure and other dangerous complications of diabetes.

Dates contain a large number of different vitamins and mineral elements. They are rich in fiber, fats and proteins. Of the mineral compounds, dates contain sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfur, phosphorus and chlorine. In addition, date fruits contain vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6. Here are just some of the beneficial effects of vitamins and minerals contained in dates on the body of a pregnant woman and the human body as a whole:

1.Dates are 50% sugar, which makes them extremely nutritious. They are very quickly absorbed by the body, fructose relieves nervous tension. Dates are extremely beneficial for brain activity, as they consist of 2.2% protein and also contain vitamins A, B1 and B2. Proteins strengthen the body's immunity to diseases and infections. Vitamin A strengthens the eye muscles, bone tissue and teeth. Vitamin B1 has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Vitamin B2 helps burn proteins, carbohydrates and fats, thereby providing energy for the body and cell renewal.

2. The nutritional value of dates depends on the content of minerals necessary for humans in the fruit, for example, folic acid (B 9), which is very important for pregnant and lactating women. Folic acid is an important vitamin involved in the process of creating new blood cells in the body, amino acids are the main building material of the body in cell renewal. During pregnancy, the body's daily need for folic acid doubles. If there is insufficiency of folic acid in the body, red blood cells continuously produced in the blood increase in size, but their functional activity decreases significantly, and symptoms of anemia begin to develop. In addition, folic acid plays an important role in the process of cell division and the formation of the genetic structure of cells, so that during the development of a child in the womb, the mother's body's need for folic acid increases many times, and dates are a rich source of folic acid.

3. During pregnancy, many women experience prolonged bouts of nausea and physiological changes in the body, as a result of which the body’s need for potassium sharply increases and pregnant women should increase their dietary intake of this element. Potassium, contained in large quantities in dates, is very useful for women, in addition, potassium is very effective in maintaining water balance in the body of the expectant mother. Potassium helps the body deliver oxygen to the brain and maintain clarity of thought, along with this it provides an appropriate alkaline environment for the fluids in the body and warns the kidneys about the need to remove waste and toxins from the body. A sufficient amount of potassium in the body prevents high blood pressure and is beneficial for the skin.

4. Iron, contained in large quantities in dates, controls the synthesis of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which ensures the proper amount of vital blood cells - red blood cells, prevents the development of anemia and ensures the normal development of the fetus in the womb. As is known, red blood cells are transporters of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and play an important role in ensuring the vital activity of cells. Dates are very rich in iron, so that a person who eats only 15 dates a day replenishes the body’s necessary daily need for iron and thereby relieves himself of many ailments and diseases resulting from a lack of this element.

5. Calcium and phosphates, present in significant quantities in dates, are important elements for the formation of a healthy skeleton and musculoskeletal system. Regular consumption of this fruit will protect the body from the development of bone fragility and osteoporosis.

6. Scientists especially highlight the beneficial effects of dates on the normalization of the psychophysical state of people under stress and mental tension. Doctors from the University of Berkeley, who conducted research on the effects of vitamin B6 on the human body, concluded that dates contain a high percentage of vitamin B6, which strengthens the nervous system, and magnesium, which plays an important role in muscle activity. In addition, magnesium contained in dates is extremely necessary for the kidneys. It has been established that 2-3 dates per day are enough to replenish the body's daily need for magnesium.

7.Due to the high content of vitamin B1, dates have a beneficial effect on maintaining the health of the nervous system. In addition, vitamin B2 helps the body transform carbohydrates into energy and use proteins and fats to meet all the body's needs. Vitamins B1 and B2 together help the body burn proteins, carbohydrates and fats obtained from food to meet the body's energy needs and continue the cell renewal process.

8. During pregnancy, women's need for vitamin A increases. Dates, due to their vitamin A content, strengthen the body's immunity and resistance, have a beneficial effect on vision, and strengthen bones and teeth. Dates are extremely rich in beta-carotene.115 Beta-carotene has the property of preventing the development of cancer cells by controlling molecules that attack the body's cells.

9. Dates have another amazing feature; dates contain a significant amount of protein, which, as a rule, is not found in fruits. Thanks to this feature, dates strengthen the body's resistance to diseases, infections, improve cell renewal processes and balance the distribution of fluid in the body. For example, meat is also a very valuable food product, but meat cannot give a person as many benefits as dates, especially during the ripening period of these fruits, when they are simply a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. Moreover, nowadays, large consumption of meat is far from harmless, because it is heavy food and the process of digesting it takes a long time. In addition, the body can accumulate toxins and cholesterol, which are inevitably present in any meat, while dates, like any other plant food or fruit, are the most beneficial choice for the health of the body.

All this information about dates shows us the infinite greatness of the knowledge of the Almighty Creator and His mercy towards people. Knowledge about the benefits of dates during pregnancy and about the unique chemical compounds contained in dates, necessary for the start of chemical processes in the body of a woman in labor, became available to modern medicine only in the last few years, while indications of this knowledge were revealed to people in the Koran another 14 years ago. centuries ago.

Dates during pregnancy: harm

The answer to the question whether you can eat dates during pregnancy cannot be unequivocally positive, because any product brings both benefit and harm:

1. If the expectant mother has any problems with the digestive tract, then she needs to give up dates, because they contain coarse fibers that disrupt intestinal motility.
2. According to reviews, dates during pregnancy are strictly prohibited for women suffering from diabetes, because this fruit increases blood sugar levels, which can result in hyperglycemia.
3. Pregnant women who are prone to allergies need to eat dates carefully, because they can cause the following complications:

• runny nose with nausea;
• vomiting with swelling;
• anaphylactic shock;
• itching with redness of the skin;
• cough and rashes.

1. If you are prone to obesity, you need to eat dates very carefully, because they are a fairly high-calorie product, which, if consumed in excess, can provoke a sharp increase in body weight, and this is undesirable during pregnancy.

Important! If a woman is at risk of miscarriage or premature birth, eating dates is contraindicated for her. As a last resort, the permissible norm is 2-3 fruits per day.

Contraindications

Dates should be excluded from the diet by women who are allergic to date pulp and the wax with which they are often processed. The fruits can cause noticeable flatulence due to their fructose content. It is known that this monosaccharide is practically not metabolized in the intestines of some people. Increased gas formation during pregnancy can unnecessarily tone the uterus due to its anatomical proximity to the gastrointestinal tract. The high content of plant fiber in the fruit pulp (30%) provokes diarrhea, which quickly leads the body to dehydration - a condition that is dangerous during pregnancy.

People with diabetes should not eat dates.

Dates have a very high glycemic index of 103, which causes them to spike your blood sugar. Therefore, people with diabetes should not use them. For those who are overweight, it is also undesirable to eat dates due to their high calorie content.

As an alternative, you can replace all sweets with a few dates per day.

People suffering from tooth decay should eat dates in limited quantities. The sugars they contain are aggressive to tooth enamel. If it is already damaged, you can feel a sharp pain in the pulp. It is rare, but allergy to dates occurs. It is also worth discarding them if there is an undesirable reaction to the wax that is used to treat the fruits after harvest.

Danger in late pregnancy

Dates contain oxytocin, a contraction-stimulating hormone that contracts the uterus. Therefore, during long periods of pregnancy, a handful of fruits eaten can cause labor. This means that you don’t need to eat a lot of them if you don’t want to give birth prematurely. But it is quite possible to activate the body a little, provided that the expected date of birth has passed.

How to eat dates during pregnancy?

Today you can find dates in stores everywhere; these fruits are not something exotic and inaccessible to humans. They are sold mainly in dried form, which means that they do not even need to be thermally treated in any way before consumption; you just need to pour a handful of fruits over with hot water.

Dried dates during pregnancy can be eaten either in their pure form or as the main ingredient in the preparation of special dishes. Using dates you can make very tasty jelly, make syrup or compote. Dates are also often used to make dessert fillings.

We recommend that expectant mothers use the following recipes:

1. You can make a healthy fruit snack, which is great for helping a woman get rid of toxicosis and strengthen her immune system in the early stages of pregnancy. You need to cut orange pulp, dates and ginger into slices, mix everything and eat during an attack of toxicosis or as breakfast.
2. Make yourself a vitamin cocktail based on dates and milk. Just boil 5-6 dates in 50 ml of milk. After everything has boiled, strain the cocktail, cool and drink. It is only advisable that the milk does not cool completely. The resulting cocktail will relieve the expectant mother of cough and constipation.
3. If a pregnant woman has an upset stomach, then she can prepare date broth with rice. To do this, you need to boil the dates and rice separately. After cooking, the dates are pitted and crushed into puree. After this, the broth is mixed with date puree and rice. The finished dish can be consumed in this form. Outwardly, of course, it will not look very attractive, but it will bring great benefits to the expectant mother.

The benefits and harms of dates during pregnancy

The exceptional nutritional value of dates is explained by the large percentage of simple sugars (fructose) and vegetable protein in their composition. In addition, the fruits contain dietary fiber, which has a beneficial effect on intestinal function.

Dates are also rich in vitamins. They contain: ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, B vitamins, including folic acid (B9), necessary for pregnant women. In addition, dates contain many microelements, namely: magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, copper.

Thanks to this, date palm fruits have a number of beneficial properties:

1. They quickly saturate and give energy, which is important for weakness and loss of strength.
2. Improves the functioning of the immune system and resistance to viruses.
3. Strengthen bone and muscle tissue, prevent the development of osteoporosis.
4. They help maintain a normal level of hemoglobin in the blood and normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
5. Relieves constipation, stimulates digestion and normal bowel function.
6. Promote the production of serotonin (the pleasure hormone), thereby helping to fight stress and depression.
7. They stimulate the production of oxytocin, so they can be used in late pregnancy to prepare the uterus for childbirth.
8. They normalize water balance and remove excess fluid from the body.

But some of the advantages of dates can become their disadvantages under certain circumstances. For example, for women suffering from diabetes, this product, due to its high fructose content, will do more harm than good, causing a sharp increase in blood sugar levels.

They are also undesirable for pregnant women with excess body weight, as they contribute to weight gain if consumed regularly.

Those who are faced with progressive caries need to know that dates can worsen the situation. The sweet pulp of the fruit forms a plaque on the teeth, which serves as a breeding ground for bacteria, as a result of which the enamel is rapidly destroyed.

Dates: about their history and composition

The berries of life, the bread of the desert, the queen of the oasis... Dates have been called names for their long history, because they are more than seven thousand years old. The fruits began to be collected in Mesopotamia, where they believed that they not only satisfied hunger, but also drove away bad dreams and could cure many diseases. Warriors, merchants and travelers of antiquity always took dates with them on long journeys. In the 19th century, the whole world learned about them due to the expansion of trade.

Dates are more than seven thousand years old

Doctors note that dates have a number of beneficial properties. They contain 80% easily digestible carbohydrates:

• fructose;
• sucrose;
• vitamins A, E, C, B. The most valuable among them is vitamin B5, which takes part in protein-fat metabolism, the synthesis of hormones, and hemoglobin. Thanks to it, amino acids and sugars are absorbed in the intestines. Its deficiency affects the condition of the mucous membranes and skin.

Dates contain the following minerals:

• potassium;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• sodium;
• iron.

Among the minerals, fruits contain the most potassium. It regulates the water, acid and electrolyte balance of the body, participating in the processes of nerve impulses and blood pressure regulation.

Benefits of dates for the body as a whole:

• strengthening the heart;
• blood purification;
• increasing immunity;
• prevention of osteoporosis;
• regulation of digestion.

Methods of use

In stores and markets you can buy dried dates, sold by weight or in small packs. Usually they are consumed without pre-treatment, simply washed with water.

Dates can also form the basis of delicious and nutritious dishes. They are used to make jelly, syrup, compotes, and make filling for baked goods. Below are some healthy recipes using dates for expectant mothers.

Fruit snack

To prepare, you will need one orange, ginger in syrup and a few dates. First you need to prepare the fruit. The orange is peeled, cut into rings or slices and placed on a plate. The dates are washed, chopped with a knife and placed on top of the citrus.

Then the ginger cut into small pieces is placed on top of the dates and the snack is ready. This simple dish strengthens the immune system and relieves nausea during toxicosis.

Dates with milk

An unusual and healthy drink is made from dates and milk. To do this, take 5-6 pre-washed dates and 250 ml of milk, put the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

The broth is kept on low heat for another 10 minutes, then cooled, filtered and drunk warm. The drink is not only tasty, but also helps relieve nausea, cope with dry cough and constipation. The remaining fruits after cooking can be eaten.

Date decoction with rice

When pregnant women have an upset stomach, a decoction of dates and rice is useful. It will support strength and improve digestion.

It is prepared as follows: pour 5 dates into a glass of water, bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes. The resulting broth is poured into a bowl, the fruits are freed from seeds and crushed to a mushy state.

Date broth is mixed with pulp and one glass of boiled rice. The dish is consumed when necessary or just like that, as a dessert.

Precautionary measures

In order for dates to bring only benefits during pregnancy, you need to be able to choose and store them correctly. It is equally important to follow the recommended daily intake of the product. Let's consider these nuances in more detail.

Rules for selecting and storing fruits

Dates are an exotic product produced abroad, which requires long-term storage and transportation. Finding them fresh in our country is almost impossible, so let's talk about choosing dried fruits.

On the shelves you can often find dates that have been treated with syrup or overdried. This is indicated by the uneven coloring of the fruit, peeling of the skin, the presence of sugar crystals and cracks on their surface. Such a product will not bring benefits.

Ripe, properly processed and stored dates have a uniform dark brown color, are moderately hard to the touch, and not sticky. There should be no cracks on the skin, indicating that the product was drying too quickly in the oven. Preference should be given to whole fruits with pits.

Once purchased, store the dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before eating, they should be washed with water and scalded with boiling water.

Daily intake of dates allowed for pregnant women

Dates are famous for their exceptional nutritional properties; 100 g of dried product contains about 280 kcal. Therefore, to avoid sudden weight gain, they should be consumed in reasonable quantities.

The recommended daily intake of dates for an adult is 5-6 pcs. If the product is abused, heaviness in the stomach and constipation may occur.

The amount of dates allowed for expectant mothers depends on the duration of pregnancy. In the first trimester, especially if a woman is diagnosed with a threat of miscarriage, it is better to abstain from this product or eat no more than 2-3 dates per day.

The limitation is due to the ability of these fruits to stimulate uterine contractions. Starting from the second trimester, if the pregnancy is normal and the expectant mother has no contraindications, you can increase the portion to 10 dates per day. On the eve of the expected date of birth of the baby, they will be especially useful, since additional stimulation of the uterus will reduce the likelihood of a protracted labor.

Thus, the fruits of the date palm are a valuable product and you should not give it up while expecting a baby. But remember that the benefits of dates during pregnancy will be maximum only if they are ripe and properly processed. It is also important not to exceed the recommended daily amount of fruits and take into account contraindications for their consumption.

Rules for selecting and storing dates

When buying dates, pay attention to their color. It can be chocolate brown, coffee, almost black, but not green, yellowish. The uniformity of their coloring, without color bald spots, is also important. The fruits should not be too hard. Their flesh is usually fleshy, as if filled with moisture, and the skin is shiny, without tears or cracking.

Dates should not be sticky or sugary.

If you buy an unpackaged product, touch it. The fruits should not be sticky. If sugar crystals were present, the dates were treated with syrup to add sweetness. The fruits should not emit a sour, fermented odor. It is better for pregnant women to choose dates with pits, as they are less subject to chemical processing.

Dates should be stored in a cool place, for example, in a tightly closed jar in the refrigerator. There is no need to wash them first. Another storage method is in a paper bag, but also in a cool room where there is no direct sunlight. The fruits can be stored for about 2 months. Pressed dates are stored without light at room temperature because they are pasteurized. It is believed that they can last a long time, but it is still healthier and safer to consume them within a year after the production date.

Pressed dates can be stored for a year

Dates should be on everyone’s menu, unless, of course, there are contraindications to their use. And I am no exception. They quickly relieve the feeling of hunger, and the feeling of fullness remains for a long time. During my pregnancy, dates were an excellent alternative to store-bought sweets and cakes with an unknown composition. I didn't find any side effects. My friend used dates to improve lactation by consuming them with hot milk or tea. Perhaps the flow of milk was caused only by the entry of warm liquid into the body. Another friend tested on herself a way to overcome heartburn with the help of these fruits. It has proven effective during pregnancy and after it. But a relative who has serious intestinal problems had to refuse them. After eating dates, she experienced poorly controlled diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, and weakness.