Pregnant women sometimes crave sour foods, and apricots are often seen as a delicious treat. We know that it is important to supplement nutrition during pregnancy because it is a time when the baby is growing. So, should pregnant women avoid eating apricots and almonds? What are the nutritional values of almonds?
[Should Pregnant Women Avoid Apricots and Almonds?]
Almonds have high nutritional value, and the nutritional value of almonds is even more abundant. Almonds contain ample unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. They also contain antioxidants like vitamin E, which can prevent diseases and premature aging.
Although almonds have many medicinal and dietary values, they should not be consumed in large quantities. Almonds contain a toxic substance called hydrogen cyanide, and excessive consumption can lead to poisoning. Therefore, almonds must be soaked in water multiple times and boiled to reduce or eliminate the toxic substances before use.
Some pregnant women have heard that dried fruits are rich in lecithin, which is beneficial for fetal brain development and intelligence. As a result, they consume large amounts of dried fruits during pregnancy. However, excessive consumption of certain dried fruits can be harmful to the fetus. For example, almonds, especially bitter almonds, contain high levels of hydrogen cyanide, which can be dangerous for the fetus if consumed in large quantities by pregnant women.
Hydrogen cyanide is a type of hydrogen compound that inhibits respiratory enzymes in the body. Hydrogen cyanide is present in the kernels of many fruits, including apple seeds. Although the body has enzymes that convert hydrogen cyanide into hydrogen sulfide, excessive intake can still be harmful to the body, so caution must be exercised when consuming such fruits.
For pregnant women, it is best to avoid apricots and almonds due to their heat-inducing and slippery properties, which are not recommended during pregnancy.
[Nutritional Value of Almonds]
Almonds are rich in protein, fat, carbohydrates, carotene, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin P, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other nutrients. Among them, the content of carotene is second only to mangoes among fruits, which is why almonds are called "anti-cancer fruits." Almonds contain abundant fatty oils, which can lower cholesterol levels and have a positive effect on preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases;
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, almonds have the effect of relieving thirst, moisturizing the lungs, and stopping coughs. They are commonly used for the health and treatment of patients with lung dryness and cough. The latest research by American researchers shows that people with normal or slightly high cholesterol levels can replace low-nutrient-density foods in their diets with almonds to lower blood cholesterol levels and maintain heart health.
[Dietary Taboos for Pregnant Women]
1. Avoid a high-fat diet
Pregnant women who consume high-fat foods for a long time may increase the risk of reproductive system tumors in fetuses. Although fat itself does not cause cancer, long-term consumption of high-fat foods can increase the concentration of bile acids and neutral cholesterol in the large intestine, which can induce colon cancer.
Furthermore, high-fat foods can increase the synthesis of lactogenic hormones, which can easily lead to breast cancer and pose a threat to the health of mother and baby.
2. Avoid excessive salt consumption
Pregnant women should not consume excessive amounts of salty foods. As is well known, "pregnancy-induced hypertension" is a special disease in pregnant women. Its main symptoms include edema, high blood pressure, proteinuria, and in severe cases, self-perceived symptoms such as headache, dizziness, chest tightness, and even eclampsia, which can endanger the health of mother and baby.
Therefore, excessive salt consumption by pregnant women can easily lead to pregnancy-induced hypertension. In order to maintain the health of pregnant women, the daily intake of salt should be around 6g.
3. Avoid excessive consumption of warm and hot tonic foods
Pregnant women should not over-nourish their bodies. Due to a decrease in gastric acid secretion and weakened gastrointestinal function in pregnant women, they may experience loss of appetite, constipation, and other symptoms. In this case, if pregnant women frequently consume tonics such as ginseng, deer antler glue, longan, deer antler, deer placenta, lychee, and walnut, it can lead to yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity, causing imbalances in qi and blood, symptoms such as qi excess and yin depletion, blood heat running rampant, high blood pressure, constipation, and even miscarriage.
