During a visit to the local supermarket, you will always find an attractively-packaged box of flax seeds staring at you. Having read many good things about flax seeds, you may want to reach out to it, wanting to give the best to that little life growing inside you. But there is a nagging doubt that holds you back “Are flax seeds safe during pregnancy?” Having full knowledge about the risks, benefits and recommended portions is definitely helpful before including them in your diet during pregnancy.
Flax seeds are borne by the flax plant and are well-known as an effective laxative, with its other benefits coming to the fore in recent times. Known as “Alsi” in India, it is grown in cold regions and contains magnesium, potassium, protein, zinc, vitamins B6 and E. Flaxseed contains an omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linolenic acid, which can help in the reduction of inflammation and cholesterol levels. Due to its fiber content, flaxseed is also helpful in regulating blood glucose and cholesterol to a great extent.
Pregnancy is a delicate time when you have to be careful about your diet and adopt the safest of food choices possible for your well-being and the baby’s too. There are divided opinions in the medical community about the utility and safety of consuming flax seeds during pregnancy. According to a few knowledgeable sources, the nutrients in flax seeds can reduce the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart-related ailments.
If you are plagued by the question, “can I eat flax seeds while pregnant?” you should know that no studies have been conducted on humans. However, tests done on animals have shown that high doses of this seed can prove to be harmful to the foetus. In such cases, you should always check with your doctor before including flax seeds as a part of your diet.
Now, here’s some flax seed nutrition facts. Every 100 grams of flax seeds contains 534 calories. This means that when you consume one tablespoon of whole seeds (approx. 10 grams), you are consuming 55 calories. Flax seeds contain forty-two percent fat, twenty-nine percent carbohydrates, and eighteen percent protein. Almost ninety-five percent of the carbohydrates in Flax seeds is fiber, which is 20% to 40% of soluble fiber and 60% to 80% of insoluble fiber. It is this combination of fiber that makes it a natural laxative and promotes digestive health.
There are a number of health benefits of flax seeds in pregnancy and pregnant women can consult their doctor prior to its inclusion in their diet.
Doctors do not recommend the ingestion of flax seeds in its raw form since it contains minor amounts of cyanide. The best way of including flax seeds in your diet is to roast them as it destroys the cyanide compounds present in it.
Remember to store flax seeds in an airtight container to retain its freshness and keep it crisp.
It is important to consume flax seeds in moderation during pregnancy considering the requirement of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is about 1.4g/day. This means you can safely consume not more than one tablespoon of freshly ground flax seed without a worry. Flaxseeds are common ingredients in our daily diet like bread and bakery items so check with your doctor about its inclusion in the diet.
Here are a few known side-effects of eating flax seeds during pregnancy since to-be mothers often ask if it is it harmful to eat flax seeds:
Since there are many conflicting theories about the pros and cons of including flax seeds, their quantity etc. during pregnancy, it is always recommended to consult with your doctor about this. So choose the safest option while welcoming a new life into your world.