Celery during pregnancy: can you eat it in the early stages or not, benefits and harms during pregnancy, why the root and stem are not allowed for pregnant women

The benefits and harms of celery during pregnancy

The benefits of celery for pregnant women

This plant is very valuable for supporters of a healthy diet. It is low in calories and rich in nutrients. Its stem contains vitamins B, A, E, C, iron, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus. In addition to these substances, the roots contain zinc and manganese.

strengthens the immune system, protects against infectious diseases;
has a hypnotic effect;
calms after stress;
relieves headaches and migraines;
cleanses the intestines of waste and toxins;
prevents varicose veins;
lowers blood pressure.

The last property of celery can also be regarded as a disadvantage, since pregnant women more often suffer from hypotension than hypertension.

Features of consuming celery during pregnancy

Celery is an integral part of a healthy diet when eating properly.
However, not everything is so simple - the benefits of the product during pregnancy are questionable.

Read further in the article about whether the vegetable is good for pregnant women.

Composition of celery

The roots and stems of celery are eaten. Their chemical constituents vary.

Root contains:

cellulose;
vitamin A;
B vitamins;
vitamin C;
iron;
magnesium;
potassium;
phosphorus;
zinc;
sodium;
calcium;
manganese.

Celery greens consist of the following elements:

B vitamins;
vitamin A;
vitamin E;
vitamin C;
beta-carotene;
iron;
phosphorus;
calcium;
sodium;
magnesium;

Beneficial features

Nutritionists unanimously say: celery is a valuable product that is worth adding to your diet.

The vegetable has many beneficial properties:

strengthens the immune system and is an excellent prevention of colds due to the large number of vitamins in the composition;
calms and improves sleep;
removes waste and toxins from the body;
stabilizes water-salt balance;
improves vision;
helps improve skin;
reduces cholesterol levels;
has an antioxidant effect;
lowers blood pressure;
increases sexual desire;
prevents the appearance and development of cancer cells;
The calorie content of greens is 10 kcal, roots are 40 kcal, so the product helps you lose weight.

Precautions and rules of use during pregnancy

Doctors believe that eating celery is harmful to pregnant women. However, on this issue, experts are divided into two camps.

Some doctors are sure that you should stop eating the product from the first days of pregnancy. In their opinion, root vegetables and greens can harm the fetus at any time.

Other doctors believe that until the end of the second trimester, the vegetable poses no danger to either the woman or the unborn child. Starting from the 7th month, the use of the product is strictly prohibited.

Most pregnant women themselves try to stick to the golden mean. If there are no contraindications or risks, and the pregnancy proceeds without disturbances, before the start of the third trimester, many allow themselves vegetables 1-2 times a week. In cases where pregnancy is associated with risks, it is better to completely exclude it from the diet.

Is it possible to eat celery during pregnancy?

As stated above, doctors do not recommend using the product during pregnancy. The vegetable causes blood flow to the uterus. The muscles contract, the pressure in the cavity increases. As a result, there is a risk of increased uterine tone.

This is a dangerous condition - pregnant women with good tone are under the close supervision of a gynecologist. The result of untreated tone is often miscarriage or premature birth.

However, external use of the vegetable is not prohibited. It is effective against bruises and eliminates pain. A popular folk recipe for removing hematomas is an infusion of roots and leaves. To prepare it, chop 1 part root vegetable and 2 parts greens. Pour boiling water over the mixture and leave for 2 hours.

Keep the infusion in the refrigerator and use as compresses for bruises.

In addition, many specialists make an exception to precautions if the patient’s condition is not associated with risks. In this case, gynecologists advise consuming a limited amount of the product.

Celery stalk

Greens are added to salads and vegetable snacks. Pregnant women can consume no more than 1 tbsp per 500 g of dish. l. chopped stem. In combination with other products, the stem is unlikely to cause any harm, and the body will be saturated with essential vitamins.

Root

The root of the vegetable has universal uses. It is added to soups, salads, purees, and casseroles.

The product is eaten raw, boiled, baked or steamed.

The maximum dose of the root during pregnancy is 2 tbsp. l. 2-3 times a week.

During pregnancy, celery juice is more dangerous than the root and greens. The drink concentrates all substances, including those that cause uterine tone. It is better not to drink juice or drink no more than 50 ml per week. In addition, it is better to dilute the drink in a concentration of 1:3.

Possible contraindications and harm

In addition to pregnancy, celery juice, stems and root should not be consumed for the following diseases:

stomach ulcer;
varicose veins;
kidney stones;
thrombophlebitis;
epilepsy.

The product should be used with caution when breastfeeding - it may cause an allergic reaction in the child.

Celery, although it brings many benefits, can be harmful during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, use the vegetable with caution or remove it from your diet altogether. The health of the future mother and child is more important than the desire to eat any product.

Side effects

Even if the expectant mother has no contraindications to consuming celery, it is advisable to limit its use until the 12th week of pregnancy.

The seasoning should not be used by pregnant women with the following symptoms and pathologies:

pyelonephritis in pregnant women;
gestational or diabetes mellitus;
urolithiasis and other diseases of the urinary system;
pain in the lower back and abdomen;
vaginal discharge with blood;
increased tone of the uterus, feeling of a “stony” abdomen;
increased stomach acidity and associated pathologies (gastritis, ulcers, colitis, flatulence, heartburn);
individual intolerance to the product;
allergy to yellow and green vegetables and fruits, berries.

Complications of pregnancy (placental abruption or hematoma, pathologies of the uterine structure, intrauterine growth retardation, threatened miscarriage, isthmic-cervical insufficiency, etc.).

In the presence of severe toxicosis, the seasoning can irritate the gastric mucosa and aggravate the condition (provoke vomiting.)

Spicy greens also stimulate increased gas formation in the intestines, so after eating them the stomach may growl and bloating may appear. If this condition is observed in the later stages, the expectant mother may experience severe discomfort, since the overcrowded intestines will put pressure on the uterus and cause pain in the abdomen (the area around the navel).

After 30 weeks of pregnancy, celery must be eaten carefully so as not to provoke premature labor.

Young celery stalks are an excellent addition to any dish, adding a characteristic taste and aroma. In addition, they are very good for health, especially if you take precautions and do not overuse decoctions and juice from fresh herbs. If discomfort and unpleasant symptoms appear while using the seasoning, then use should be stopped immediately.

Celery during pregnancy: benefit or harm

The obvious benefits of celery are questioned when it comes to pregnancy. This seems strange, since the vegetable contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals, as well as folic acid and iron, which are especially necessary for pregnant women. However, its danger lies in the high content of phytoestrogens and essential oils, which can affect the course of pregnancy and even harm the unborn child.

Is it possible to eat celery during pregnancy?

The benefits of celery are explained by its rich vitamin and mineral composition and abundance of fiber.

There is an opinion that this vegetable can be safely eaten until the 6th month of pregnancy. However, the danger of miscarriage and premature birth is relevant at any stage, because the effect of celery on uterine activity does not depend on the trimester. Therefore, it is best to reconsider your diet from the first days after conception.

There are cases when celery is completely acceptable:

As a sedative and hypnotic. This is especially true if the expectant mother suffers from insomnia and constant stress. Since celery extract is the basis of many sleeping pills, it can also be used in its original form as a sleeping pill. And when taking many medications for sleep is clearly contraindicated, celery in this case is acceptable, since the state of overexertion, stress, and chronic fatigue is fraught with even greater danger for the fetus than the vegetable itself. In this case, it is recommended to consume celery juice: 1-2 teaspoons of juice mixed with water in a ratio of 1 to 3 before dinner. It is enough to drink for several days in a row, and sleep will gradually gradually return to normal.
To stimulate labor. Some women begin to eat this vegetable in the last trimester on the eve of childbirth to trigger the onset of the process. This is acceptable, but undesirable, since the baby may not be ready to be born yet. If you resort to this method, then it should be immediately close to the preliminary date of birth or after it, with a prolonged pregnancy that has exceeded 40 weeks. However, you should not overeat vegetables even then, because of the risk of provoking a severe allergy in the unborn child. It is acceptable to add the root or stems to your regular diet once a day in the form of purees or salads.

To decide the issue of introducing a vegetable into your diet and decide whether it will bring you benefit or harm, you need to take into account your own condition and determine whether you really need a potentially dangerous product if it can be replaced with other vegetables with a similar chemical composition (for example, beets —

high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and safe during pregnancy).

But if you really love celery and really want it to be present in your diet, let’s consider which parts of it you can eat while you’re expecting your baby.
Celery -

a universal vegetable for use, since all its parts are edible
-
leaves with stems and roots. They are not very different in composition, except that the concentration of nutrients in the roots is slightly higher than in the stems.

Stem

The stems can be eaten raw or cooked, although the raw product retains more vitamins and minerals. They are suitable for creating cocktails, vegetable snacks and salads.

To prevent the threat of miscarriage, it is best to put no more than 1-2 tablespoons of vegetables for each kilogram of the finished dish. This amount is quite enough to supplement your diet with useful substances and not provoke uterine contractions. Main —

observe moderation and do not eat celery in excess.

Root

Celery roots are great for baking, stewing, boiling and even salads. They are usually placed in soups, and this vegetable goes perfectly with boiled lean meat, tuna and other vegetables. As a result, this soup turns out to be very healthy and tasty.

However, during gestation, the amount of root should not exceed 2 tablespoons per day. In addition: dishes with celery should not be on the table of the expectant mother every day. It is recommended to eat them occasionally, no more than 2-3 times a week, and a little at a time.

The juice from this plant is even more concentrated than whole parts, which can also be diluted with other ingredients. The juice contains too large a dose of essential oils, vitamin C, which irritates the mucous membrane, and phytoestrogens.

Therefore, you can drink it only in small quantities (no more than 50 ml) and in a diluted form, where one part of juice is 3 parts of water or any other vegetable juice. However, it is best to use celery juice externally rather than internally.

Precautions and rules of use

Only completely healthy women can consume celery in small quantities.

Pregnant women should adhere to the following rules of use:

introduce the product into your diet only after consulting a doctor;
eat in small portions and periodically;
in the presence of diseases, there are a number of contraindications to completely abandon the vegetable;
refrain from using it in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when the tone of the uterus is often increased, and this period itself is the most “unstable”;
Do not eat celery in its pure form, but dilute it with other ingredients;
to reduce gas formation, it is best to boil the vegetable in soups until completely softened, so that it is even overcooked, then flatulence will not be so pronounced;
limit the consumption of the plant in the last trimester, since it is during this period that the risk of an allergic reaction in the fetus is highest.

But all this applies only to the use of this healing and beneficial plant internally. But when used externally, there are no restrictions, but there are many benefits.

External use of celery during pregnancy

As a means for external use, celery can be used in the form of:

tinctures for compresses and lotions;
juice for washing;
ointments.

When used externally, the plant:

has an antiseptic effect and analgesic effect;
accelerates tissue regeneration;
relieves swelling;
improves blood circulation;
rejuvenates the skin, improving its appearance.

External use of celery is suitable in the following cases:

For the treatment and rapid healing of skin damage
- wounds, scratches, abrasions.
Use compresses and lotions, which are applied to the affected areas for 20 minutes up to 2-3 times a day.
Prepare celery-based products as follows:
Tincture. You need to take 3 tablespoons of chopped root or stem and pour 0.5 liters of cold water over them. Place the mixture in a water bath. When the water boils, simmer in a water bath for 30–40 minutes. Let it brew for 3-4 hours; During this time, the broth will cool down, after which it becomes ready for use. Store the prepared tincture in the refrigerator. Soak cotton pads and swabs in the decoction and apply to damaged areas of the skin for disinfection and speedy healing.

Juice. To prepare freshly squeezed juice, you can use a blender, juicer, or simply grate the vegetable and squeeze the juice through cheesecloth. Dilute it with any other juice (for example, apple, carrot, pear) or water in a ratio of 1 to 3. Drink immediately after preparation.

Ointment. Fresh celery must be ground in a meat grinder or blender to a pulp. Take melted butter in the same quantity as the vegetable. Mix the ingredients until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. Store the resulting ointment in the refrigerator. Every time before going to bed, lubricate sore areas with ointment -
lower back, legs, joints.

Precautionary measures

The main precautions when consuming celery during pregnancy are: excessive gas formation, the presence of allergic skin reactions, and a significant decrease in blood pressure.
If you notice one of the symptoms, you should immediately stop eating celery in any form.

Varicose veins are a common disease during pregnancy. Therefore, be careful, as celery can provoke an exacerbation of the disease, which will entail negative consequences.

It is worth including celery in your daily diet in the first two trimesters of pregnancy.

Eating celery during pregnancy

There is a period in the life of many women when it is necessary to carefully monitor their diet, since the health of not only the woman herself, but also the baby in the womb depends on the quality and benefits of the products. There are a number of foods that should be consumed with restrictions during pregnancy or eliminated altogether. Let's find out whether pregnant women can eat celery.

Is it possible to eat celery during pregnancy?

It is known that celery has a number of beneficial effects on a woman’s body. There are several types of celery: the root vegetable is usually added to first courses, the stalk vegetable is added to salads and as a seasoning. In addition, celery juice is rich in vitamins. We suggest considering what effects vegetables and vegetable drinks can have when consumed at different stages of pregnancy.

In the early stages

Despite the enormous benefits for the human body, celery in any form should be excluded from a woman’s diet in the first trimester of pregnancy. The fact is that some substances that are included in its composition increase blood circulation in the pelvis, and therefore in the uterus, which is fraught with an increase in its tone and miscarriage.

2nd trimester

During the second trimester, when the fetus is already firmly established in the uterus, eating celery is also not recommended, since it provokes increased gas formation and bloating. These processes negatively affect the fetus.

In the later stages

In the later stages, a woman should not consume either the juice, the root, or the stem of the plant. The first reason is that due to its use, premature birth may occur. Second —

celery is an allergen that can cause the development of allergies in a child.

Benefits of celery

Upon careful analysis of the chemical composition of the plant, you will notice that it contains a large amount of vitamin A, which is involved in the functioning of the reproductive organs, organs of vision, skin, and immune system. By eating 115 g of celery, you can meet your daily requirement for this vitamin.

Contains vegetable plant and a large dose of beta-carotene —

a substance characterized by an antioxidant effect.

With regular consumption of celery, you can improve the functioning of various organs and systems as follows:
Strengthen the immune system.
Saturate the body with vitamins and minerals.
Normalize blood pressure.
Strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
Increase appetite and have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
Eliminate the problem of constipation.
Improve memory and concentration.
Calm the nervous system.
Normalize sleep.
Improve visual acuity.
Normalize the activity of the kidneys and genitourinary system.
Slow down the aging process.
Speed up metabolism.
Normalize hormonal levels.
Improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails.
Cleanse the body of waste and toxins.

Contraindications and precautions

So, pregnancy is an absolute contraindication during pregnancy.

There are other warnings about eating vegetables:
phlebeurysm;
gastritis;
stomach ulcer;
colitis;
increased stomach acidity;
cholecystitis.

Can expectant mothers eat this vegetable?

Despite all the beneficial properties of celery, most gynecologists believe that during pregnancy the vegetable should be completely excluded from the diet , since its effect on the body of the expectant mother and the baby in the womb is too ambiguous.
Eating celery during pregnancy may do more harm than good. And every responsible woman should evaluate the products she consumes primarily from the point of view of safety for herself and for the unborn child.

In addition, you can easily find an alternative to this vegetable, for example, beets are also rich in fiber, and their content of vitamins and microelements is not inferior to stalked celery.