Peanut Butter During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?
Peanut Butter During Pregnancy - Health Benefits, Side Effects
You can also make several breakfast dishes or desserts such as granola, smoothies, cookies, and brownies. Peanut butter is healthy and tasty. If you love to eat peanut butter and wondering if you can eat it now or not as you're pregnant. Is it safe to eat peanut butter during pregnancy? Let's find out.
In this article, we're going to tell all about having peanut butter during pregnancy.
Peanut butter offers lots of benefits to the expectant mother. Some of the wonderful health benefits provided by peanut butter during pregnancy are :
Peanut butter is quite rich in folate which plays an essential role in fetal development. Folic acid helps to prevent birth defects and contributes to the healthy growth and development of the baby. Hence consumption of peanut butter helps contribute to overall fetal development.
Peanut Butter is a rich source of calcium and your body needs it for the formation of your baby's bones and teeth. Pregnant women need at least 1000 mg of calcium every day. Calcium helps your nerves send messages from your brain to the rest of your body. It also helps to keep your blood and muscles moving.
Consumption of peanut butter during pregnancy help to lower bad LDL cholesterol and maintain good HDL cholesterol.
Peanuts and peanut butter are good sources of iron which is required to prevent the risk of being anemic during pregnancy.
Homemade or organic peanut butter is a good source of natural protein that is crucial for ensuring the proper growth of your baby's tissues and organs including the brain. Protein is required to provide amino acids for the development of cells, bones, and muscles.
Peanut butter is high in fat and calories. So, if you're underweight during pregnancy consumption of peanut butter may help you to gain healthy weight.
Peanut butter promotes proper blood circulation and helps to lower your LDL cholesterol and maintain good cholesterol levels thereby promoting good heart health which makes it a good food choice for a pregnant woman.
Peanut butter can cause some side effects which include:
If you're allergic to peanuts or peanut butter ingredients in past then it's best to avoid it completely during your pregnancy as well. But if you wish to eat it now then you can consult your health care provider about that.
Peanut butter has a high content of calories. Just a tablespoon of peanut butter contains almost 100 calories which are enough to gain unhealthy and excess weight if you're already overweight or obese.
If you eat peanuts or peanut butter and observe that it cause minute gas or indigestion issues then it's best to avoid its consumption in order to keep yourself away from further complications.
Peanut butter is safe and healthy to consume when pregnant. But avoid eating it during pregnancy if you've sensitivity towards peanuts or peanut butter. Peanuts are highly nutritious and provide several health benefits to both the expectant mother and her unborn baby. But if you're sensitive or allergic to peanuts then it's better to avoid peanut butter as well while pregnant.
Expectant mothers don't need to avoid any certain foods as they may not help protect their baby from allergies. One study shows that non-allergic expectant mothers who ate peanut butter or tree nuts five times a week or more were less likely to have a baby with a nut allergy.
Buy natural peanut butter instead of regular peanut butter as it may contain unhealthy hydrogenated oil. Choose organic or homemade peanut butter if you want to eat it on a regular basis.
Peanut butter is safe and healthy to consume while pregnant if expectant mothers are not allergic or sensitive to peanuts. Feel free to enjoy some peanut butter as long as you're not allergic to peanuts.
Yes, peanut butter is safe to eat in pregnancy only if you're not allergic to peanuts or any other food.
You only need to avoid peanuts, peanut butter, or any other food containing peanuts if you're advised to do so by your health care provider.
It might be possible that an expectant mother who is allergic or sensitive to peanuts may cause a certain kind of allergy after its consumption.
According to some old wive tales, if a pregnant woman is craving peanut butter it indicates that she's carrying a baby boy. However, it's just one of the ways to guess the baby's gender. It's not a reliable one. Such old wives' tales are not scientific and are just a fun way to guess your baby's gender.
Yes, you can eat peanut butter when pregnant as it is rich in many vital nutrients that contribute to the healthy development of the fetus.
If you've no sensitivity towards peanuts you can enjoy it without any fear. The spread is rich in nutrients and good for your fetus as well. However, if you have an allergy or sensitivity toward peanuts or peanut butter then it's best to avoid it. In this case, it might be possible that the baby also develops an allergy to peanuts.
The best person to decide this is your health care provider. Two tablespoons of peanut butter provide 76 mcg of folic acid and about 180 calories. You can take peanut butter twice or thrice a week.
Homemade peanut butter is one of the best ways to eat healthy during this delicate phase of your life. Here is the simple and easy way to prepare peanut butter at home:
So now your creamy, delicious, super healthy peanut butter is ready just in a few minutes. It's so simple and took just a few minutes.
You can also prepare homemade almond peanut butter by the same recipe as described for peanut butter.
Now your homemade almond peanut butter is ready.
Here's your creamy homemade chocolate peanut butter is ready to eat.
There are some myths associated with peanuts or peanut butter one of which says that eating peanuts or peanut butter during pregnancy may cause a peanut allergy in your baby.
There are some data that prove that when an expectant mother eats peanut butter there is no nut allergy that is passed on to her little one. In fact, eating peanuts or peanut butter during pregnancy will help to develop your baby's immunity to nut-related products and make sure that he/she does not fall for peanut allergies.
Peanuts and peanut butter are a good sources of polyunsaturated fats, folate, and antioxidants. All of these nutrients play a key role in the overall development of the fetus. You can have it if you're not allergic to peanuts or any other food.
We wish you a very happy, safe, and healthy pregnancy. Best wishes to you.
In this article, we're going to tell all about having peanut butter during pregnancy.
Health Benefits of Peanut Butter During Pregnancy
1. Overall Fetal Development
2. Rich in Calcium
Calcium deficiency during pregnancy can cause several complications such as muscle and leg cramps, low birth weight, premature birth, poor appetite, slow growth of the baby, and many more. So, to keep such health issues at a bay you need to meet your daily calcium requirement. Including calcium-rich foods in your daily diet is good for you and your baby as well.
3. Maintain Good HDL Cholesterol
4. Strengthen Immune System
Peanut butter is a good source of protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals. It is also rich in antioxidants that play a key role in strengthening your immune system.
5. Prevent Anemia
6. Contain Natural Protein
A pregnant woman needs 60 to 75 grams of protein a day. Protein has so many important functions in the body so it's essential to include protein-rich foods in your diet, especially during your pregnancy period.
7. High in calories
8. Promote Good Heart Health
Side Effects of eating peanut butter during pregnancy
1. Peanut Allergy
2. Excess Weight Gain
(Also read: Top 10 Best Books to read during Pregnancy)
3. Peanut Sensitivity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Peanut Butter safe to eat during pregnancy?
2. Can eating peanut butter during pregnancy make your baby allergic?
But if you have a personal history of allergy (at least one immediate relative such as a parent or sibling with an allergy) then your baby is likely at high risk of developing an allergy. In such a condition, you should consult your OB/GYN before you consume peanut or peanut butter.
(Also read: Pistachios (Pista) During Pregnancy )
3. Which peanut butter is best for pregnancy?
4. Is peanut butter good for you when pregnant?
Peanut butter is a rich source of protein and other nutrients that make it a good food choice during pregnancy. You can eat peanut butter if you're not allergic to nuts but remember to have it in moderation as overindulging in it can contribute to unhealthy weight gain when pregnant as peanut butter is high in calories.5. Is it safe to consume peanut butter during pregnancy?
6. Can you eat peanut butter while pregnant?
(Also read: Is It Safe To Eat Sushi During Pregnancy?)
7. When to avoid peanut butter during pregnancy?
8. Is it ok to eat peanut butter every day during pregnancy?
Organic peanut butter or homemade peanut butter is a good food choice if you want to have it on a regular basis.
9. Does eating peanut butter during pregnancy cause allergies?
10. Does a craving for peanut butter in pregnancy say something about the baby’s gender?
(Also read: Consuming Milk During Pregnancy)
11. Can you eat peanut butter when pregnant?
12. Is it safe and healthy to eat peanut butter during pregnancy?
Although it's not essential that the baby's body will inherit the same allergy but there are chances that the baby will inherit the sensitivity towards certain elements just like his/her mother.
13. How much peanut butter can I eat during pregnancy?
If you want to have peanut butter on a regular basis then opt for organic or homemade peanut butter. However, your doctor knows what's best for you. So, it's best to consult your doctor about the same.
14. How to make peanut butter at home?
- Dry roast two cups of peanuts on low flame.
- Place these dry roasted peanuts in a food processor. Turn on the food processor and run it for 4-5 minutes.
- Add one or two tablespoons of honey and a pinch of salt as per your taste.
- Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
(Also read: Benefits Of Dates During Pregnancy)
15. How to make almond peanut butter at home?
- To prepare homemade almond peanut butter all you have to do is dry roast peanuts and almonds on a low flame.
- Place these dry roasted peanuts and almonds in a food processor. Turn on the food processor and run it for 4-5 minutes.
- Add one or two tablespoons of honey and a pinch of salt as per your taste.
16. How to make chocolate peanut butter at home?
- To prepare homemade chocolate peanut butter dry roast peanuts on a low flame.
- Blend them in a food processor for 4-5 minutes.
- Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar to it.
There are some myths associated with peanuts or peanut butter one of which says that eating peanuts or peanut butter during pregnancy may cause a peanut allergy in your baby.
Many people believe that eating peanuts, tree nuts, or peanut butter on a regular basis can result in children born with peanut allergies so they advise a pregnant women to avoid peanuts or peanut butter completely.
(Also read: Jackfruit During Pregnancy)
But that's not true. There's no scientific evidence available that supports these recommendations. Avoiding specific foods during your pregnancy period may not help protect your baby from allergies.
There are some data that prove that when an expectant mother eats peanut butter there is no nut allergy that is passed on to her little one. In fact, eating peanuts or peanut butter during pregnancy will help to develop your baby's immunity to nut-related products and make sure that he/she does not fall for peanut allergies.
Peanuts and peanut butter are a good sources of polyunsaturated fats, folate, and antioxidants. All of these nutrients play a key role in the overall development of the fetus. You can have it if you're not allergic to peanuts or any other food.
If you're allergic to peanuts then it's better to avoid peanut butter while pregnant. Consult your doctor to know how specific allergies could impact your pregnancy.
If your doctor gives a green signal you can indulge in it but remember to have peanut butter in a moderate amount as overindulging in it can lead to unhealthy and excess weight gain or some other health complications. So, it's good to have it in limited quantity to stop further inconvenience to self.
We wish you a very happy, safe, and healthy pregnancy. Best wishes to you.
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Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information only and should not be used as the basis of patient treatment. The given content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or any diagnosis. Always consult a doctor for more information. Our website doesn't claim responsibility for this information.
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