Are Cherries Good For Pregnancy

Pregnancy cravings can come on quickly and last for just a few hours or much longer. Some women find that crave chocolate and other sweets, but you might find yourself craving foods that are better for you such as fruits and veggies. If you can’t stop thinking about delicious fresh cherries, don’t worry. All types of cherries have some benefits to your overall health and are part of a good pregnancy diet.

Yes, you can eat cherries while you’re pregnant. These small fruits come in different varieties from cities across the country such as Washington and Michigan. You may even have one of the trees growing in your yard. You can safely eat both the ripe fruit inside and the skin on the outside. Make sure that you wash the fresh fruit before eating it as the skin may contain trace amounts of pesticides.

Can You Eat Tart Cherries While Pregnant?

What are the Health Benefits of Cherries for Pregnant Women?

Looking at some of the health benefits of cherries can help you understand why so many expectant mothers enjoy the fruit. Though you might think that you need to eat more oranges to boost your Vitamin C intake, cherries have quite a bit of this vitamin. Cherries also have a lot of natural antioxidants that boost your immunity levels to keep you healthy until the baby comes. Some research also indicates that cherries can purge your body of free radicals.

Pregnancy can cause quite a lot of swelling, especially in your feet and legs. This swelling can cause muscle pain and joint pains. Grabbing a bowl of cherries as a snack can help with those symptoms because the fruit contains anthocyanin. This substance is what causes the cherries to have a bright red color. Cherries that are high in this substance can also boost your mind and help you avoid the pregnancy haze that so many women have.

Cherries also help women reduce their risk of developing gestational diabetes. The hormones that run wild through your body often cause mood swings and affect your blood sugar levels. With gestational diabetes, you need to take medication to keep your sugar level low. Even if the doctor diagnoses you with diabetes, you can better control the condition when you snack on cherries.

Pregnant women snack on cherries as a way to sleep better and fight back against tiredness. Why spend so much time struggling with trying to get enough sleep at night and still feeling tired the next day? No matter where you are in your pregnancy, the natural melatonin and Vitamin K found in cherries can help you fall asleep faster and let you sleep through the night. As this fruit also has a high water content, cherries help you stay hydrated. Why worry about drinking enough water every day with the water content in cherries will provide almost all of the water that you need.

Though not many women like to talk about it, pregnancy affects the digestive tract. You may find that you suffer from constipation and nothing seems to help. A big bowl of cherries will help you use the bathroom on a regular basis and get rid of waste because the fruit is high in dietary fiber. Another benefit of cherries is that they can help with conditions that cause frequent headaches. Cherries also contain folic acid, which is good for both moms and their growing babies. This acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects and boosts the natural cells in your body.

Are There Any Side Effects of Eating Cherries?

Before you adjust your diet to increase your cherry consumption, keep in mind that you may suffer from some side effects. Diarrhea is the most common, but eating large amounts can also cause constipation. Many women find that the fruit causes stomach cramps and leads to bloating, especially when they eat too many. It’s helpful to have no more than a cup per serving and to start with a smaller amount. You can see how the fruit affects you and slowly adjust your intake.

You should also look for signs of an allergic reaction. Even if you ate cherries before and never had any problems, there is a risk that you develop an allergy later in life. Signs of a minor reaction might include a rash that is pink or red in color along with an itchy feeling in your mouth or throat. A more severe reaction can make it hard for you to breathe. If you experience any of these signs, see medical help.

What About Cherry Juice?

When you can’t find fresh cherries, feel free to drink fruit juice. Make sure that the juice you choose is 100% fruit juice. It’s helpful to read the label as some brands use a high concentration of grape juice and just a small amount of cherry juice for flavoring. If you cannot keep food down due to morning sickness, a glass of cherry juice will give you the essential nutrients that you need. While you may not get as many health benefits from the juice, it can still help with pain and inflammation.

With juice made from cherry fruit, you also have the chance to recreate some of your favorite cocktails. When you want to have a fun and fizzy drink, mix equal parts cherry juice and fizzy water. You can also make a version of cherry limeade with both lime and cherry juices. Don’t worry if limes are out of season because you’ll find bottles that have tart juice inside. There are other fruit juices you can mix with cherry juice to improve your blood flow and avoid common problems associated with pregnancy.

Do Cherries Have Any Benefits for Babies?

Pregnant mothers care about what they put into their bodies because they don’t want to pass any toxins onto their unborn children. Cherries are safe for both you and your baby. The same anthocyanins that reduce inflammation help your baby develop a strong and healthy brain. You’ll also find that eating cherries strengthen your blood vessels. This is important because it ensures that your baby receives the necessary nutrients. Cherries are a good way to promote the brain health of the fetus and improve neural cells.

Types of Cherries

Though cherries help you get the important nutrients your body and baby need, there are quite a few different types. Bing cherries are bright red in color and have antioxidant properties. You can eat these fresh, but you may find that they are only available in the summer. Rainier cherries come from Washington and have skin that features shades of red and yellow. They are more expensive because of their short growing season. You’ll also find dried cherries that come in handy when you can’t find fresh cherries. It’s easy to rehydrate them in a little water or another liquid before you use them in a recipe. There are also Balaton cherries that taste just as great cooked as they do raw.

How to Eat Cherries?

You can dine on fresh cherries whenever you want. Simply keep a bowl of washed and pitted cherries in the fridge for a healthy snack while watching TV or relaxing at home. It’s just as easy to incorporate the low-calorie fruit into other dishes such as smoothies. Mix two parts pitted and chopped cherries with one part milk and one part yogurt. Toss the mixture in your blender on low until combined. If you prefer frozen treats, make the same mixture and freeze it overnight in molds. You can place the treats in an airtight container and store them in the freezer.

As cherries have lots of water, they work well in both savory and sweet dishes with a long cook time. Cherries and duck are a common pairing, but the fruit also works with other types of fowl. You can make a simple glaze from some cherries cooked down with your favorite spices and a little stock. Simply brush the glaze onto turkey or chicken as it cooks. You may even find that you like using organic fruit with pork too.

Beat leg cramps and other symptoms of pregnancy with homemade trail mix too. One of the nice things about this recipe is that you can change it based on the ingredients that you like. Start with a handful of your favorite nuts such as walnuts or almonds. Then add a small amount of dried cherries and your favorite cereal. You can put the mixture on a sheet pan and bake in the oven for 30 minutes on low heat to toast the ingredients or eat it as-is.

One Serving of Cherries

One serving of sweet cherries has just 97 calories and less than 30 grams of carbs to help any pregnant woman stick to her diet. While sweet cherries often have a rich and sweet taste that can replace your favorite candy bar, tart cherries are better for savory dishes. A single serving also has three grams of dietary fiber and two grams of protein to help you stay full. There aren’t many other treats that taste as good and are as good for you. If the cherries aren’t quite as sweet as you would like, go ahead and add a sprinkle of sugar. A sprinkle of sugar substitute works just as well.

Not only are cherries one of the best fruits for pregnant women, but they have many beneficial effects. Eating cherries can help with muscle cramps and fatigue as well as memory problems. With the best ways to use cherries, you’ll have no problem consuming more of these fruits.