Superfood? Are There Benefits to Eating Dates During Pregnancy?
You’ve probably been given a long list of pregnancy dietary restrictions: limited amounts of caffeine, certain fish high in mercury, and absolutely no alcohol.
But are you wondering if certain foods should be on your list? Are there “superfoods” that will help support your growing and developing baby? We encourage you to speak with us about your nutritional needs during pregnancy.
For this article we want to tackle one particular food that is beneficial for your pregnancy: dates. We’ll examine why eating dates during pregnancy can promote a healthy beginning for this new stage of life.
If you’re pregnant, we want to see you from the first moment you know you’re expecting. There are important appointments that help ensure your health and the health of your baby during this exciting and challenging time. We encourage you to schedule an appointment for the healthiest start possible.
4 Benefits of Eating Dates During Pregnancy
There are a lot of reasons to pick up some dates on your next trip to the grocery store. We’ll show you a few of them.
1. They Give You An Alternative to Refined Sugar
Did you know you can create a “date paste” and use it instead of sugar? Dates are a great choice when you have a sugar craving because they contain natural –not processed–sugars. Since they have a low glycemic index, you won’t have to worry about blood sugar spikes. Dates can also help you avoid gestational diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, dates can help you keep your blood glucose under control.
2. They Can Store Your Energy For Labor
Some studies indicate that dates seem to stimulate key receptors that are involved in labor contractions. They’re also a good source of healthy carbohydrates, and eating them can help your body “reserve” energy that it will need during labor.
We caution you against energy drinks–most of which are loaded with caffeine– and consuming high-calorie snacks, thinking they will provide energy. This can be detrimental to your developing baby and can even cause you to “crash” later, making you feel more exhausted than before.
3. Dates Provide B Vitamins
B vitamin folate is vital for fetal development, and dates are loaded with it. We recommend women also take a folic acid supplement. To protect your baby from serious birth defects, we recommend having a daily intake of 600 mcg of folic acid. We encourage you to speak with us about your dietary needs.
4. Dates Help Relieve Your Constipation
It’s frustrating when you’re not able to “make it happen,” and you struggle with the discomfort of constipation. But you’re not alone. The National Institute of Health estimates 11% to 38% of pregnant women can relate to your situation.
Dates are high in fiber, which means they can help things “move along.”
Why Are Dates Considered a “Superfood” for You?
When you take a closer look at the nutritional composition of dates, you’ll see a profile rich in both macronutrients (such as fiber, protein and “good” fats), as well as micronutrients (such as potassium, calcium, vitamin B and magnesium). These make dates a perfect complement to a nutritious eating plan.
Is There Anything I Should Know About Eating Dates While Pregnant?
While we sing the praises of eating dates during pregnancy, there are a few things you should know. You should eat them only in moderation because, even though they are natural, they are high in sugar.
It’s also crucial that you speak to us before you undergo any dietary changes during your pregnancy. As gynecologists in Chapel Hill and Durham, we have helped hundreds of Triangle area women deliver healthy babies—and a big part of that is due to frequent communication. We want to be sure your pregnancy is on the right track.
See Why We’ve Been Recognized as the Leading Gynecology Practice in Chapel Hill and Durham
For three years, we’ve been recognized in Indy magazine’s Best of the Best for our compassionate and quality care. We realize that every pregnancy is unique, and you’re not just a medical record number to us. We customize every approach to your situation, placing your health as our number one priority.
Are you expecting and wanting to know more about what you should, and should not, eat? Need to know what to expect during your pregnancy? We’ll answer all your questions; just schedule an appointment with us. We would consider it a privilege to experience this journey with you.
The information in this article and the other articles on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider.