Oats During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?

Eating Oats During Pregnancy - Health Benefits, And Side Effects

A pregnant woman needs to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet throughout her pregnancy period to nourish her baby. An expectant mother also needs a nutritious diet as she goes through a lot of emotional, physical, and hormonal changes throughout her pregnancy so it's essential to maintain maternal health as well during pregnancy. Oats are a good food choice as they're considered healthy food. Many pregnant women wonder whether oats are safe to eat while pregnant or not? 

In this article, we're going to tell you all about having oats during your pregnancy period. 

Health Benefits of Oats during pregnancy

Oats are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Some of the amazing health benefits offered by oats include:

1. Energy Booster

Being rich in carbohydrates and calories, oats provide instant energy to the expectant mother. 

2. Aids Digestion

Oats are a good source of dietary fiber that helps to prevent constipation, regulate bowel movements, improve digestion thereby keeps your digestive tract healthy.

(Also read: Jackfruit during pregnancy)

3. Prevent Birth Defects

 They're a great source of folate that plays a key role in the development of the fetal brain and nervous system. Folate is also essential to prevent the baby from developing neural tube defects as well.  

4. Promote Fetal growth

Oats are a good source of vitamins such as vitamin B and E, minerals such as iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium. All of these nutrients play a vital role in the growth and development of a fetus. Hence, the consumption of oats during the pregnancy period helps to promote fetal growth. 

5. Rich in minerals

Oats are a good source of minerals such as calcium, selenium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium. All of these minerals are essential for strong and healthy bones, tooth formation, maintaining fluid balance, regulate sugar levels, and improving immunity. They also contribute to the healthy growth and proper development of the fetus. 

6. Prevent Anemia

Being a good source of iron, the consumption of oats helps you to meet your iron requirements. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia. Hence it is essential to include iron-rich foods in your diet so that you can keep yourself away from being anemic in pregnancy.

(Also read: Dates in pregnancy - Safe?)

7. Contain Complex Carbohydrates

Oats contain complex carbohydrates that take time to break down and digest slowly. This helps to keep your blood sugar level under control and reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes. Slow digestion also ensures healthy weight gain during pregnancy.

8. Packed with vital vitamins

They're packed with essential vitamins such as B complex and E. Vitamin B1 and E play a major role in the proper breakdown of fats and proteins present in the body thereby keeps your mucous membrane strong and healthy. Vitamin B9 (Folate) helps to prevent birth defects. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and helps to detox and also reduces free radical damage thereby keep your skin and hair healthy. 

Side effects of oats during pregnancy

Although oats are safe and healthy in spite of that it's possible that some women may experience some side effects after eating them in pregnancy. Some of the possible side effects caused due to the consumption of oats in pregnancy are:

• Overconsumption of oats in pregnancy can cause diarrhea or indigestion. So, have them in limited quantities. 

• If you're allergic to gluten it might be possible that you may be allergic to oats as well. 

• Excess eating of oats can cause intestinal blockage in some women.

• It's better to avoid prepackaged or flavored instant oatmeal during pregnancy as it may be high in sodium and sugars.

(Also read: What are the reasons for C-section?)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I eat oats during pregnancy?

Yes, oats are a good source of numerous essential nutrients that are vital for maintaining maternal health and also contribute to the healthy growth and development of the fetus.

2. Is it safe to eat oats during pregnancy?

Oats are safe to consume during pregnancy. They're a great source of many essential nutrients that you require during your pregnancy period. 

3. Is it safe to eat masala oats during pregnancy?

Try to avoid masala oats in pregnancy as they contain processed forms of veggies. Hence it's better to keep yourself away from consuming such unhealthy foods in pregnancy.

4. How to include oats in your pregnancy diet?

There are a number of ways to include oats in your pregnancy diet. Some of the simple and easy ways to include it in your pregnancy diet are:

• You can boil oats with milk or water and add a small teaspoon of honey to it. In just a few simple steps your healthy breakfast is ready to eat.

• You can make cookies, cakes, muffins, pancakes, tortillas, and bread by using oat flour instead of all-purpose flour as it is among one of the healthiest options during pregnancy. 

• You can also eat oats in the form of granola bars. Granola bars are made up of oats and also contain berries and nuts.

• You can enjoy it with fruit or veggies as well.

5. Can I eat oatmeal during the first trimester of pregnancy?

Yes, oatmeal is safe to consume during the first trimester as well.

6. Are oats safe during early pregnancy?

Yes, oats are safe to consume during early pregnancy. In fact, they're safe to consume at any stage of pregnancy if you eat them in a limited quantity.

Oats are one of the healthy food items that you can enjoy at any stage of your pregnancy without any fear. They're a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are required for a healthy pregnancy. So what are you waiting for? Avoid eating junk foods and incorporate healthy foods like oats in your pregnancy diet. 

Always consult your doctor before adding any new food to your pregnancy diet as your doctor better knew how many calories your body requires and which food is safe for you during this crucial phase of your life. Enjoy your pregnancy phase. Here's wishing you a very happy, safe, and healthy pregnancy. 

Also, read other pregnancy-related articles:

• 12 bad habits to avoid during pregnancy

• Eating Peanuts (Groundnuts) During Pregnancy - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Side Effects And Is It Safe To Eat

• Consuming Jaggery During Pregnancy - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Side Effects, Is It Safe To Eat

• Eating Nuts During Pregnancy - Health Benefits, Side Effects, Is It Safe & When To Avoid Them

• Eating Walnuts During Pregnancy - Nutritional Benefits, Health Benefits, Risks, and Side effects

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