Honey in pregnancy: benefits, advice and contraindications
During pregnancy, it is always very important for women to follow a "healthy and balanced diet, especially to avoid health problems for the baby. Some foods, even if healthy, must be consumed in moderation: is honey among them? Before finding out, we must understand what they are. the properties, characteristics and benefits of this product Meanwhile, here is a video below with all the foods to watch out for during pregnancy.
Characteristics and nutritional values of honey
Honey comes from the transformation that bees carry out on the secretions of flowers. The quality of honey depends on many factors: on the type of work of the bees, on the climate, on the flora, but also on the "delicacy and accuracy" of human intervention to make it ready for consumption.
There are many types of honey which differ in color, aroma and crystallization; the variety of honey depends on the source from which the nectar comes, on the production area and also on the meteorological variations affecting the territory.
At a food level, honey is considered extremely caloric: 100 grams provide 300 calories deriving almost entirely from simple sugars. Having said that, it is easy to understand the energizing power of honey to be used sparingly to sweeten instead of sugar in various recipes.
See also
Properties and benefits of honey in pregnancy
Honey also has numerous benefits for pregnant women. Let's see what they are specifically.
- It promotes rest by putting an end to the insomnia which pregnant women often have to deal with, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. This food performs an almost hypnotic action: just drink milk mixed with a spoonful of honey before going to sleep for a good night's rest.
- Honey is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties that relieve sore throats. Just add a teaspoon of honey and ginger to your cup of lemon tea and reheat it before drinking to relieve the burning sensation in your throat.
- Honey acts positively against cold symptoms, calming cough if present. Thanks to its antiviral properties it cures the body weakened by seasonal ailments making them pass quickly.
- In general, we could say that honey improves the immune system thanks to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
- The bee product helps to control seasonal allergies because it contains contains pollen. With regular consumption the body will be immune to allergic reactions. (If you suffer from allergies we recommend that you consult your doctor.)
- Also useful in case of heartburn, also this typical symptom especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. Honey works by neutralizing stomach acids.
- Studies have shown that regular consumption of honey decreases the growth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which are responsible for the formation of ulcers.
- Finally, honey can be used to effectively combat dandruff and itchy scalp. Dilute a little honey in warm water and apply the mixture on the scalp, leave it to act, rinse and enjoy the benefits.
Honey in pregnancy: is it safe? It's possible to eat?
Eating honey while pregnant is safe and can be done! By doing some research online you may have found the danger of consuming honey by children: this is true because honey can contain bacteria that can germinate in the child's intestine, causing infant botulism, a rare but potentially fatal disease. Babies' intestines aren't mature enough to destroy this type of bacteria, so it's best to avoid them until they're older.
The same is not true for pregnant women who can consume honey during pregnancy as long as it is pasteurized. What does it mean? It is heated to high temperatures for a few seconds and then rapidly cooled. This process is essential as it can eliminate the bacteria responsible for botulism.
What you find on the market is almost always pasteurized, but beware of honey that can be found on a bee farm, in street kiosks or at the farmers market.
How much and how to consume honey during pregnancy
The right dose of honey in pregnancy should not exceed three tablespoons per day. Consider that each tablespoon will contain about 60 calories, which is why the advice we give you is to limit the use and consider it only occasionally. In pregnancy it is normal to gain weight, but some extremely caloric or sugar-rich foods such as honey, can make the number rise even more on the scale. So it's okay to use honey in the morning to sweeten milk, or in sweet recipes instead of sugar, but avoid eating it by the spoonfuls!
Contraindications of honey in pregnancy
Consuming too much honey and too often can have negative side effects also and especially for pregnant women. What can they be?
- Severe sensitivity to insulin
Honey increases blood sugar levels and worsens insulin resistance. If you are pregnant, consider that over 25 grams of sugar per day is not considered safe. In this case, the advice is to immediately review your eating habits.
- Abdominal cramps
Abusing with the honey dose could be the cause of stomach cramps, as well as diarrhea, constipation and bloating. Excessive consumption of this food affects the gastrointestinal tract and also slows down digestion.
- Dental caries
Due to its sugary composition, honey is not an ally of dental health. Eating too much of it would cause tooth decay and erosion with consequent serious problems for the entire oral cavity.
Honey in pregnancy: is it correlated with listeria and toxoplasmosis?
There Listeria and the Toxoplasmosis they are two serious diseases, especially if contracted during pregnancy. Both derive from contact with bacteria present in meat, fruit and vegetables that are not well washed or even in fresh cheeses or unpasteurized milk. Honey in pregnancy remains a safe food and cannot be associated with these two infections, as long as you choose a pasteurized honey, or subjected to a process that brings it into contact with high temperatures, as already recommended in the course of this article.
