During pregnancy, a pregnant woman has to exercise extra caution in whatever she does. Every action impacts her baby directly or indirectly. It’s the same with food. We’re sure you want to know all about the benefits and side effects of rice on the baby in your womb.
Rice is the staple diet in many parts of our country as it’s rich in essential vitamins and nutrients. Here are the benefits of eating rice during pregnancy:
High amount of carbohydrates in rice are a good source of energy to the body. Consuming rice will give you the strength and energy during pregnancy.
The presence of resistant starch in rice facilitates the growth of beneficial bacteria in the stomach which helps in normal and smooth bowel movements during pregnancy. It also assists in better digestion of food.
The presence of essential nutrients such as vitamin D, thiamine and riboflavin and minerals like calcium, fibre and iron make rice a nutrient-rich food which helps to strengthen bones and teeth.
Rice helps to regulate blood pressure. Its low sodium content balances and reduces the effect of sodium intake from other food items.
Rice is a natural diuretic, which means that it increases the frequency of urination. This helps in the prevention of urino-genital infection during pregnancy which can otherwise have an adverse impact on you and your baby.
Rice is rich in anti-oxidants which increase your immunity and help the body fight against infections and diseases. This is very important during pregnancy.
In addition to white rice, eating brown rice during pregnancy has its own benefits. The presence of large insoluble fibres and low glycaemic content make brown rice an apt food to regulate sugar levels in the body. Brown rice especially helps in the mitigation of gestational diabetes which is common during pregnancy.
Brown rice is a rich source of neurotransmitter nutrients which help in improving the baby’s cognitive functions and aid in the development of the brain. Brown rice is also a rich source of magnesium. This helps in the regulation of nerves and muscle tone and aids in keeping them relaxed.
Rice, especially brown rice, contains melatonin, a sleep hormone which relaxes the nerves and increases the sleep cycle, thereby enhancing the quality of sleep. This helps the mother to have sufficient rest.
One of the biggest benefits of rice is that it is a cholesterol-free food. Eating rice will balance out cholesterol from other food items and keep the mother away from cholesterol-related issues.
Rice should be consumed in limited quantities after being properly cooked. Overeating or eating raw rice during pregnancy can cause problems.
Rice acts as a superfood when consumed in limits. Brown rice is considered better than white rice for both the mother and the baby. Ask your gynaecologist or dietitian about how many bowls of rice you can safely eat in a day. Also, buy rice that is free of chemicals and pesticides.