Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy time, but some expectant mothers can't seem to be happy because they are afraid of getting stretch marks, which can make confident moms feel a bit self-conscious. So, how can we prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?
1: Pregnant women should eat foods that prevent stretch marks
Expectant mothers can cook pig trotters, glutinous rice, and white onions in water until the meat is tender, then add MSG and salt for seasoning. This dish is convenient and delicious. At the same time, applying some olive oil can also help alleviate stretch marks. For example, there is a special olive oil for pregnant women called Qīn Rùn, which is very helpful for preventing and lightening stretch marks.
Tomatoes contain rich lycopene, and lycopene has 20 times the antioxidant capacity of vitamin C. It can effectively prevent stretch marks. However, pregnant women should be aware that tomatoes are cold in nature, and eating them on an empty stomach can cause abdominal pain. So pregnant women should eat something else before consuming tomatoes.
Kiwi fruit contains rich dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and other trace elements and minerals. Vitamin C can effectively inhibit the oxidation of dopamine in the skin, convert dark oxidized pigments into reduced light pigments, interfere with melanin formation, prevent pigmentation, and maintain fair skin. It can effectively reduce stretch marks. However, pregnant women with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold should not eat too much kiwi fruit as it can easily cause diarrhea.
Now many expectant mothers should feel relieved and realize that preventing stretch marks is not that difficult. As long as they pay attention to diet and weight control in daily life, as well as skin care, they can effectively prevent stretch marks. So there's no need to worry about stretch marks after childbirth.
2: 5 fruits that pregnant women should not eat
1. Hawthorn
Promotes blood circulation and helps with menstruation. It has a certain uterine contraction effect. Pregnant women should consume it in small amounts during early pregnancy. Pregnant women with a history of miscarriage or signs of miscarriage should avoid eating it, including hawthorn products.
2. Lychee, Longan
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, women's bodies tend to be hot and deficient in yin during pregnancy. At this time, some hot fruits such as lychee and longan should be consumed in moderation, otherwise, it can lead to symptoms of constipation, mouth ulcers, and excessive heat. Pregnant women with a history of threatened miscarriage should be even more cautious, as hot fruits can cause fetal movement disturbances.
3. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits come in many varieties, such as sweet orange, tangerine, seedless honey orange, and grapefruit. They are all nutrient-rich and beneficial to the body. Their juice is rich in citric acid, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, various vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other nutrients. They are foods that pregnant women like to eat. However, citrus fruits should not be overeaten because they are warm and sweet in nature, and excessive consumption can lead to body heat, causing symptoms such as oral ulcers, periodontitis, and pharyngitis. Pregnant women should not eat more than 3 citrus fruits per day, with a total weight of no more than 250 grams.
4. Persimmon
Persimmons are cold in nature and have the effects of clearing heat, moistening the lungs, generating fluid, relieving thirst, suppressing cough, and reducing phlegm. They are suitable for treating hypertension, chronic bronchitis, arteriosclerosis, hemorrhoids, and constipation. Their nutritional and medicinal value is suitable for moderate consumption by pregnant women. Especially for pregnant women with gestational hypertension syndrome, eating persimmons can bring dual benefits. The stems and leaves of persimmons are also traditional Chinese medicine. Persimmon stems can lower rebellious qi and relieve nausea, and treat hiccups, belching, and other symptoms. Persimmon leaves have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and hypotensive effects and are commonly used folk herbs. Although persimmons have good nutritional and medicinal value, they also have shortcomings. Persimmons have an astringent taste and eating too many can cause a bitter taste and numbness in the mouth, as well as strong astringency and dry stools. They can clot when encountered with acid and form precipitates when combined with proteins. Therefore, eating persimmons should be done in moderation, with one per meal being sufficient. Pregnant women can eat persimmons but should not overeat them.
5. Kiwi fruit
Pregnant women with threatened miscarriage should not eat kiwi fruit.
Kiwi fruit is rich in nutrients and is known as the "king of fruits". Expectant mothers who want to maintain their fair complexion can eat more kiwi fruit to prevent their faces from being invaded by melasma. Kiwi fruit contains rich vitamin C, which helps keep the skin fair. However, kiwi fruit is not suitable for everyone. Because kiwi fruit is cold in nature, pregnant women with spleen and stomach deficiency should eat it cautiously. It is also not suitable for those who frequently experience diarrhea and frequent urination. It is best to eat kiwi fruit 1-3 hours after a meal and not on an empty stomach. Pregnant women with threatened miscarriage should never eat kiwi fruit.
