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Is it okay to eat raw food during pregnancy?

Eating raw vegetables and fruits is beneficial during pregnancy, says Dr Nandanwar.

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Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : February 22, 2016 10:35 AM IST

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The moment you know about your pregnancy, numerous questions rise in your mind. And the most important one is what and how much to eat. Although most pregnant women are aware of the dietary dos and don ts during pregnancy, one question that is quite common is can they eat raw foods? Well, here s what Dr Y S Nandanwar, Professor and Head of Department, Gynaecology, Lokmanya Tilak Medical College and Sion Hospital, Mumbai, has to say about this.

There are no strict dietary restrictions on eating raw vegetables and fruits but one should avoid raw eggs and meat. You can reap the benefits of veggies in the form of salad or soups. Vegetables like carrots that are rich in vitamin A and green leafy vegetables like lettuce and broccoli, loaded with folic acid, a vitamin needed for the brain development of infants, should be included in your diet. Moreover, eating raw foods like salads not only aid in digestion and maintain your bowel movement but also keep you full longer and prevent you from mindless munching. As the dietary requirement increases gradually, ensure to load up your nutrient intake slowly. Say no to these 7 things when pregnant!

Apart from these, here are few tips you need to keep in mind.

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  1. Instead of having large meals, opt for small meals with loads of green veggies and fruits.
  2. Replace your mid-morning and evening snacks with salads and soups to fulfil your cravings.
  3. Ensure that the vegetables and fruits are washed properly under clean tap water as intake of pesticide-sprayed vegetables might lead to developmental abnormalities in infants. Here are 10 superfoods every pregnant woman should include in her diet.
  4. To prevent constipation, which is a common symptom of pregnancy, include foods rich in fibre. Here are some fibre-rich foods you can include in your diet.
  5. You don t have to eat double the amount of food as you enter the second and third trimester of pregnancy. The amount of food should be sufficient for you and the baby, which means consuming 200 300 calories more during pregnancy, is all you need.
  6. Increase your intake of protein for the first thousand days including the 270 days during pregnancy, as it plays a key role in overall growth and development of the infant and the baby after delivery. Here are the 7 essentials of a perfect pregnancy diet.
  7. Add more colours to your dietary palate. Include green, red and yellow vegetables and fruits. Although you need to limit your intake of starches, sugar and salt during pregnancy, including milk in your diet is a good idea, explains Dr Nandanwar.

Hence, pregnant women can eat raw vegetables and fruits but these should be fresh and washed properly. You may also like to read about 7 weird cravings during pregnancy.

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Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti

Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti

Msc Biochemist. DIY enthusiast. Nature lover. Writer by profession. You can contact me at - bhavyajyoti.chilukoti@corp.india.com Follow me on Twitter: ... Read More