During pregnancy, every action of the mother has a direct or indirect impact on the baby. A mother’s eating habits greatly shape the health and development of the baby in the womb, and therefore, a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients is very important. Before making any food item a part of the mother’s diet plan, it is necessary to have a detailed understanding of the benefits and the harmful effects (if any) it will have on both, the mother and the baby.
Yes, it is safe to consume amla, or Indian gooseberry during pregnancy. Amla is a super fruit which looks like a lemon, has a sweet-sour flavour when ripe, and is bright green in colour. The fruit is very high in nutrients, especially Vitamin C, which makes it a very good anti-oxidant. Amla is a key ingredient in most Ayurvedic medicines and is also a recommended food for pregnant women. Its high vitamin and fibre content make it a power food for pregnant women.
Amla is commonly available throughout India and can be preserved in the form of powder without losing its medicinal and nutritional value. Eating amla during pregnancy has a wide range of benefits for the mother and the child. Discussed below are some of the benefits of consuming amla:
During pregnancy, it is safe to eat one or two pieces of fresh amla fruit per day. In case you are taking amla in powder form, one teaspoon of powder is ideal.
Amla is a fruit with a lot of benefits for pregnant women. However, overeating it can lead to indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, and also leave you dehydrated with an upset stomach. It is therefore advised to consume amla in limited quantities only.
It is safe to drink gooseberry or amla juice during pregnancy. However, you should avoid packaged amla drinks as they may be sweetened or contain added preservatives and this is not recommended for pregnant women. You can extract amla pulp at home and mix it with water to drink. About 5 ml to 10 ml of amla juice per day is an ideal quantity to consume.
It is best to eat raw amla in order to be able to make full use of its nutrients. Cooking amla usually depletes its nutritional value and hence is not recommended. In case you cannot eat raw amla, it is best to consume fresh amla juice or mix amla powder with water and drink it.
While amla has no side effects if consumed within limits, it is best to avoid the fruit if you are suffering from cold or a cough. Amla has a cooling effect on the body and this might aggravate the cold.
Also, amla must be avoided if you are suffering from bouts of loose motions as the laxative nature of amla will only worsen the problem.
Some women might find amla tasty enough to be consumed raw while some might not like the tangy taste and prefer to consume amla indirectly. Here are a few tips to incorporate amla in your diet:
It is best to avoid packaged amla juice as it might contain sweeteners and preservatives. If you cannot consume fresh amla juice and have to opt for a packaged one, then pick up a good brand which has a long shelf life.
You can consume amla pachak or amla supari during pregnancy which is a dried form of amla. This has almost all the benefits of a fresh amla. You can make dry amla at home easily.
It is best to limit salt intake during pregnancy and avoid salted foods as they can adversely affect the fluid-electrolyte balance and cause stomach issues.
Amla is a superfood with several benefits for pregnant women. Just keep the prescribed precautions in mind, and you can enjoy eating this fruit when you are expecting.