Is it possible to eat plums during pregnancy? The benefits and harms of plums during pregnancy

The benefits and harms of plums during pregnancy

Plums grow in the territories of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. These fruit trees are moisture- and frost-resistant and do not require much care, so gardeners are happy to plant and grow these trees.

The fruit contains the following substances:

Vitamin E. Responsible for the condition of the skin and its regeneration. It also relieves toxicosis and preserves pregnancy.
Iron. An important vitamin responsible for the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Lack of iron provokes oxygen starvation in the fetus.
Folic acid. Responsible for the vital activity of the fetus, for the proper development of the neural tube, and the laying of organs. In addition, this substance helps the production of endorphins.
Iodine. This vitamin helps the thyroid gland function. It is worth noting that due to thyroid diseases, all organs suffer, metabolism is disrupted, mental abilities suffer, and memory is impaired.
Potassium. This vitamin helps the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Vitamins PP and A. _ Participate in the formation of healthy blood vessels and visual organs in the fetus.
Vitamin B _ Responsible for strengthening the expectant mother’s immunity and has a positive effect on her nervous system.
Vitamin C. _ Responsible for strong immunity, provides protection against infections and viruses.
Fiber, pectin. Responsible for the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize and activate its work.

When eating plums can be harmful:

If you overeat plums, a pregnant woman may experience prolonged diarrhea.
Unripe fruits can cause diarrhea and severe abdominal pain.
Irreparable damage can be caused by fruits from a tree that has been treated with chemicals against parasites.
Plum can increase the production of gastric juice, so if you have a stomach ulcer, this product should not be eaten on an empty stomach.
Plum contains a lot of sugar, 9-17% - depending on the variety. That is why eating plums for gestational and diabetes mellitus is undesirable.

As you can see, the harm of plums is very relative, there are many “buts”, and besides, there are not many contraindications.

Precautionary measures

Plum is not recommended for women suffering from severe flatulence and bloating. Eating plums in large quantities can lead to increased unpleasant symptoms and the development of diarrhea. Such problems often arise in late pregnancy and immediately before childbirth, during the period of natural bowel cleansing.

Fresh plums and plum juice are dangerous for diabetes. Excessive consumption of plums can lead to increased blood sugar and exacerbation of the disease.

Plum is contraindicated in case of exacerbation of gastritis and peptic ulcer. Plum pulp increases the secretion of gastric juice, which in turn activates inflammation in the digestive tract. It is not recommended to eat plums if you have irritable bowel syndrome, as well as diarrhea of any origin.

Is it possible to eat plums during pregnancy and how?

For pregnant women, plum is an extremely healthy fruit. They can be consumed both fresh and dried. Excellent compotes are made from plum fruits; they can replace coffee, tea and jam.
In addition, plum contains an increased amount of fiber, which has a beneficial effect on intestinal motility and the normalization of bowel movements, and this is very important during pregnancy, since increased progesterone and the growing fetus interfere with normal bowel movements due to intestinal compression. Just 5 cream a day will completely normalize digestion and stool. Dried plums and prunes are famous for their more successful effect. If you purchased dried fruit, before consuming, rinse the product well and pour boiling water over it, leave for 6 hours, during which time the fruit will become soft and pleasant to the taste. And the water in which they were infused can be drunk. You will be provided with a gentle laxative effect.
During elevated temperatures during pregnancy, the use of medications is highly undesirable. Plum fruits have a diuretic effect, so compote or plum juice will help lower the temperature and get rid of fever.
Prunes will help get rid of calluses. Pour boiled hot milk over it, leave for 1.5 hours, apply to the sore callus, fix and leave overnight. In the morning, the skin will be soft, and when you repeat the procedure 2-3 more times, the callus will go away completely.
Plum tree leaves are good for women to use for decoctions. They have wound-healing properties, so for wounds, cuts, bites, you can safely use this remedy as a compress.
Plum masks have effective properties. Blend the plums in a blender, add a spoonful of honey and an egg - you will get a wonderful moisturizing effect, and this product also fights wrinkles well.
Plums have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Before consuming plums, you should consult a gynecologist, since in individual cases the degree of benefit and harm may vary. However, in most cases, plums are not contraindicated. If you have an individual intolerance to this product, then it should be completely excluded from the menu.

Plums

Plums belong to the genus of so-called stone fruit plants, just like cherries, cherries, almonds, etc. They have several shades depending on the type: yellow or red, blue or purple.

Plum trees bear fruit mainly in autumn and at the end of summer - this is when people harvest a good harvest, which can be consumed both raw and dried, in jam, fruit drinks and compotes. What can we say about baking! Pies and muffins with these fruits turn out incredibly delicious.

Plum in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy

During the third trimester, plum works in a special way; it increases appetite. Therefore, if a pregnant woman eats a lot of fruits, her appetite will increase significantly and she will want to add something more filling to the plums, which will cause excess weight, which, in turn, will complicate labor.
Plums can also provoke heartburn due to their high content of fiber and fruit acids. Therefore, buy only sweet varieties to avoid problems.
Plum helps soften smooth muscles, which can inhibit labor in the third trimester.
Thanks to plums, you can fight swelling, since the fruits have a diuretic effect and remove excess fluid from the body.
Plum fruits have a blood thinning effect. If the expectant mother has increased blood viscosity, plums are indicated for her.
The fruits have a choleretic effect. During pregnancy, internal organs are compressed, bile comes out slowly, so a drain for the gallbladder will come in handy.

Can pregnant women eat plums?

From the first trimester, expectant mothers begin to be drawn to all sorts of exotic things - either serve them strawberries in cream, or oranges in pineapple jelly, or fried Camembert with lingonberry sauce...

However, many of the gifts of nature from distant shores are dangerous for pregnant women: some cause allergies, others cause problems with pregnancy, and others aggressively affect hormonal levels, as well as the functioning of internal organs.

And on this issue, the medical community of gynecologists, nutritionists, gastroenterologists and pediatricians is united: it is advisable to fill a pregnant woman’s diet with seasonal, local, vegetables and fruits that are easily available in a particular latitude .

And plum is perhaps one of the most “spiritually rich” and nutritionally significant foods. It is possible for almost everyone, including those who are expecting a baby. Red and black plums are considered especially useful, but yellow plums are inferior to their counterparts in terms of the number of microelements in their composition.

How to properly eat plums during pregnancy

So, as we found out, during pregnancy you can eat plums both fresh and dried, you just need to do it in moderation.

What to do if you swallow a plum pit? This situation threatens complications. It usually takes 1-2 days for the bone to come out naturally. If this does not happen and the following symptoms are observed: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, you need to urgently consult a doctor or call an ambulance. The edges of the plum pit are very sharp; if swallowed, it can damage internal organs, which is very dangerous.

So, what do we know about plums?

This fruit really has a huge variety of beneficial properties. Here is a small list of plum features:

phenol, which is found in plums, strengthens our capillaries and helps blood vessels function;
plum contains beta-carotene, the healing properties of which are involved in skin restoration processes and also have a beneficial effect on vision;
plum is rich in vitamin E, which is so important during pregnancy;
Plum contains a lot of iron and iodine and even folic acid - vitamins of paramount importance during gestation.

And how useful this fruit is for constipation! Plum brings incredible benefits during the treatment of this problem, which plagues many women during pregnancy. And, of course, this is not a complete list of positive qualities that can be addressed to plums!

What to cook from plums during pregnancy

During pregnancy, you can not only eat plums or prunes as a separate product, but also add them to dishes.

Plums perfectly complement game and meat dishes. They have a bright sweet and sour taste that goes well with meat dishes.
The fruits make delicious compotes, jams and preserves. However, it is worth noting that a large amount of vitamins are lost during the preparation of these delicacies.
Plums are often used as an ingredient for baking: pies, muffins, pastries, cakes. But you need to remember that these desserts contain a large amount of sugar and carbohydrates, everything should be in moderation.
By drying plums we get a very healthy dried fruit - prunes.
Hot fruit drinks will give strength to the body during colds. They are easy to prepare - pour boiling water over the plums and add sugar to taste.
Fruit salad will give a pregnant woman’s body all the necessary vitamins. Add pears, apples, bananas to the plum slices, season everything with low-fat yogurt, a delicious and healthy dessert is ready. You can have this dish for breakfast or dinner, and it will also help maintain a normal weight for the expectant mother.

Can expectant mothers eat plums?

The future development of the baby is greatly influenced by the quality of the mother's diet. There are some foods that can harm a child, but there are not very many of them and plums are not on their list. The body of the baby and his expectant mother absorbs almost all fruits very well. It is worth discussing not only whether plums can be eaten during pregnancy, but also what benefits or harm this tasty fruit can bring.

Options for relieving constipation using plums

Ripe plums and constipation are incompatible concepts, so people with a tendency to problems with bowel movements should not refuse to eat it during the ripening season of the fruit.

The best option for eliminating constipation with the help of ripe berries is to take them in the morning in the amount of 6-12 pieces. On the first day you should not eat more than 6 berries, and you should have breakfast after about half an hour.

For chronic constipation, it is also necessary to drink plum juice during the day; drinking two or three glasses of the drink will be enough. Drink juice only an hour or two after eating.

There are many other options for using plums that are good for constipation:

Compote. In the evening, 20 washed ripe berries are poured with a liter of warm water, in the morning this infusion is boiled for about 30 minutes and left for an hour. After infusion, the plums and the infusion itself are gradually consumed throughout the day.
Kefir with plums. Three pieces of berries need to be separated from the seeds, mash the pulp and pour a glass of kefir over it. It is recommended to drink the resulting drink before bed.
Porridge with plum. You will need 5 pieces each of plums, dried apricots and dates. The fruits are washed, filled with two glasses of water and placed on the stove. Immediately after boiling, you need to pour three tablespoons of oatmeal into the saucepan and immediately after that the stove turns off. Wrap the pan with porridge in a warm blanket and leave for three hours. You need to eat this dish in the morning and evening, and after two days, bowel movements will occur without much difficulty.

For constipation, it is recommended to eat plum jam; it has not only a mild laxative effect. Jam helps remove excess fluid, reduces blood pressure, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, and improves metabolic processes.

Plum jam should not be given to children in large quantities, as it can cause flatulence. Avoiding sweet desserts is necessary if you have diabetes and a tendency to obesity.

Plum jam is prepared according to different recipes; in addition, other fruits are often added to the plums. To prepare the most ordinary plum jam you will need to take:

Fresh plums in the amount of one kilogram.
One and a half kilograms of granulated sugar.
A glass of cold water.

Ripe softish fruits need to be washed and cut, removing the stone from them. Boil sugar syrup and add chopped plums to it. Then the container needs to be shaken in a circular motion so that the berries are completely in the syrup.

Place the pan on the fire, boil for 10 minutes and turn off the stove. After cooling, the jam is cooked until fully cooked.

Prepared jam, even after long-term storage, retains all its beneficial properties, so if you are prone to constipation, it can be prepared for future use.

Eating prunes during pregnancy

There are many ways to use it:

As an additive, prunes are usually eaten with main dishes: pilaf, meat dishes.
In the form of vitamin mixtures, adding other ingredients to finely chopped prunes: honey, fresh berries or dried fruits, nuts.
As an additive to black tea in the form of small pieces of prunes. This healing drink will be useful during pregnancy, as it quickly relieves fatigue.
Use yogurt with prunes as breakfast on an empty stomach; this will affect the intestines and serve as a good stabilizer for its work.

Contraindications for use

Most people tolerate ripe plums without negative changes in their well-being. The fruit rarely causes allergic reactions, but it is not included in the diet during exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases with high acidity. People with diabetes should also minimize their consumption of berries.

For children with constipation, plums are given in limited quantities, as it can cause severe bloating and flatulence. During pregnancy, the fruit is not abandoned, but you need to monitor all changes that appear after introducing the berry into the diet.

Beneficial features

Plum is a valuable fruit, a storehouse of vitamins and beneficial microelements. Fresh plum fruits should be in the diet of the expectant mother throughout pregnancy. In the early stages, sweet and sour fruits will help cope with toxicosis. Two or three plums eaten in the morning for breakfast will prevent nausea and reduce the frequency of vomiting. Before eating, the fruit should be peeled. Peeled plums are digested faster in the intestines and are better absorbed by the body during pregnancy.

Plums make an excellent snack in early pregnancy. During this period, the digestive tract of a pregnant woman rejects any heavy food (including meat and fish dishes, baked goods, complex side dishes). Fruits and light snacks will replace the usual dishes, and plums will be out of competition here. Quick digestibility, hypoallergenicity and a pleasant sour taste - all this makes the plum a fruit recommended for the nutrition of women in the first trimester.

Plum is a record holder for potassium content. This useful microelement ensures the normal functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Potassium affects the contractility of smooth muscles, stabilizes blood pressure and heart rate, and ensures the passage of nerve impulses through neurons. A lack of potassium during pregnancy can lead to the development of seizures and arrhythmias. The need for potassium increases in the second half of gestation.

Other beneficial properties of plum:

reduces blood cholesterol levels;
stabilizes blood pressure;
has a diuretic effect;
eliminates swelling in late pregnancy (plum juice);
stimulates cleansing of the body from toxins;
increases immunity;
has a slight antiseptic effect;
has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and hair;
strengthens the wall of blood vessels;
activates the activity of the heart muscle;
reduces high body temperature;
prevents the development of anemia.

Fresh plum fruits will be beneficial in late pregnancy. During this period, the load on the digestive tract of the expectant mother increases. The growing uterus puts pressure on the abdominal organs, interfering with their normal functioning. Constipation, belching and heartburn occur. If such symptoms appear, it is recommended to change your diet, in particular, add fresh and dried plums (prunes) to it. When consumed regularly, plum activates intestinal function and significantly improves the well-being of a pregnant woman.

The effect of plum on the digestive tract:

increases appetite;
stimulates intestinal motility;
facilitates the digestion of food;
softens feces and promotes their removal from the body (eliminates constipation);
stimulates enzyme activity;
facilitates the secretion of bile.

To achieve maximum results, it is recommended to consume fresh plums in the first half of the day.

How to choose the right one when purchasing

Pregnant women should be especially careful about the quality of the products they consume, so the question arises: how to choose the right plum so that it is as beneficial as possible for the body. So, let’s discuss what characteristics tasty and high-quality fruits should have

The fruit must be whole, without any mechanical damage.
The skin of a high-quality fruit is smooth and has no dark marks or dents.
The fruit should smell pleasant. Overripe fruits that are no longer suitable for consumption may have a fermentation smell.
The fruits are elastic to the touch, medium soft. This feature often depends on the variety, so in some cases the plum remains very firm at any degree of ripeness.
The ripe fruit has a dry brown stalk.
The color of the fruit is uniform, in some cases with shine.
The fruit should have a thin layer of characteristic white coating, confirming that it was freshly picked.

It is recommended to buy fruits only by weight so that you can examine each fruit individually. You should not buy fruits in containers or bags, as often a not very high-quality product is hidden under the beautiful packaging.

Method of use

All beneficial properties are preserved to the maximum in fresh plum fruits. The optimal daily intake has not been developed. A pregnant woman should focus on her own well-being. Abuse of plums results in flatulence, bloating and diarrhea.

Fresh plums are included in various fruit salads and desserts. Fruits go well with fermented milk products (yogurt, kefir). Plums make excellent jam, jam and marmalade. Plum juice and compote are indicated for pathologies of the urinary tract and hypertension.

Dried plums (prunes) are considered one of the healthiest dried fruits. When consumed regularly, prunes stabilize blood pressure, stimulate intestinal motility and increase the overall tone of the body. Prunes are included in many desserts, baked goods and sauces. You can add prunes as a seasoning to meat and vegetable dishes. Maximum benefits for the body are achieved by combining prunes with dried apricots and raisins.

Selection and storage

When buying a plum, you need to look at its coating and appearance with the absence of damage, black spots and moldy areas. The fruit is elastic to the touch - excessive softness indicates its overripeness.

How long the fruit will be stored depends on the variety and storage method. In order for the plum to last longer, you need to buy it slightly unripe with the presence of a thick peel and a white coating. Such fruits can be stored for 20 days, placed in the refrigerator in slightly opened polyethylene.

To preserve it even longer, it is recommended to purchase ripe plums. Wash it thoroughly and remove the seeds. Place in a single layer on a flat dish and place in the freezer. Such storage will preserve all the beneficial properties and allow you to enjoy the summer taste at any time.

There is also the option of preparing preserves, jams and compotes for the winter, but their benefits are much less than those of freshly frozen fruits. And the vitamin composition is completely destroyed.