The nutritional preferences of pregnant women are an interesting and unique phenomenon. From time to time, a woman in an interesting position has a strong desire to eat a certain product, this desire is so strong that she can not think of anything else. Of course, there are a number of restrictions, in addition, you should not eat raw meat and fish, you should refrain from eating chalk. And what if you really want shrimp? Can pregnant women eat these seafood?
Interesting to know!
Shrimp are crustaceans. The length of a mature individual varies from one to two to twenty-five centimeters. They are characterized by a shade from pink to coral.
Most often they are sold frozen, since at low temperatures they are not recommended to be stored for a long time. Shrimps are low in fat. These are low-calorie foods, in addition, they contain iodine, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, fluorine, iron, molybdenum, sodium, vitamins - A, K, E, B, D, B9, PP, B1, C, AT 2.
Crustaceans have a lot of iodine and copper, but not much cholesterol.
There are about a hundred types of shrimp that go to store shelves, the most popular are:
- Tiger - a characteristic striped color of the shell and large size (up to 40 cm).
- Royal - individuals up to 25 cm long, have a massive tail.
- The northern ones are the smallest representatives of the shrimp species (the size of adult individuals is not more than 11 cm in length).
Frozen shrimp are sold in stores, in tetra-packs and by weight.
Shrimp for pregnant women benefit and harm
The benefits of shrimp are obvious. They do not contain carbohydrates and fats, significantly exceed meat in the amount of valuable substances contained in them. This low-calorie product is well absorbed by the body, gives a feeling of satiety, while not contributing to weight gain, which is important during pregnancy. In addition, this seafood helps to overcome cravings for spicy and salty foods.
In addition, shrimp contains:
- Zinc, copper, iron, which improve the work of the cardiovascular system and increase efficiency.
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which improve metabolism and prevent the development of many diseases.
- Iodine, which regulates the thyroid gland.
- Phosphorus, which helps preserve the health of teeth and bones.
- Zinc - helps maintain the beauty of nails and skin.
- Potassium - strengthens heart health.
- Selenium - enhances immunity, protects the body from the influence of harmful radicals.
Can shrimp be pregnant? Some doctors believe that eating seafood during pregnancy should be limited, as the reaction of the body, which works for two, can be completely unpredictable. There is a risk of developing allergies or indigestion.
Shrimp in early pregnancy and late
Can shrimp be pregnant in the first trimester? The use of this seafood in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy is useful not only for the expectant mother, but also for the baby. Proteins, trace elements, fatty acids contribute to the formation of bones of the baby, the development of his brain and nervous system. The presence of seafood in the diet of a pregnant woman prevents the risk of premature birth.
If seafood did not cause allergies before pregnancy, then they can be consumed quite calmly while carrying the baby. But before you eat a delicious shrimp salad, you should eat a few pieces and see how the body responds. If itching, a small rash on the skin, sneezing, swelling, you should immediately call an ambulance.
Before you try a salad or shrimp dish, you need to carefully study the composition. Women in position should not use vinegar, spicy and fatty sauces, spices. The surest option is to buy a freshly frozen high-quality product and cook a shrimp dish yourself at home.
The recipe for cooking is quite simple: rinse the seafood, dip it in salted boiling water and boil for 7-8 minutes. When they emerge and turn a pale pink color, they are ready for use. They can be added to a vegetable salad or eat on their own. It should be remembered that they quickly deteriorate, so you need to eat a dish only freshly prepared.
The use of shrimp in late pregnancy can contribute to the development of allergies in the baby. For this reason, after 22 weeks, when the fetal immune system is already functioning, seafood should be discarded so as not to harm the baby.
Is it allowed to eat shrimp during an interesting situation?
In this regard, the opinions of experts are very different. Some believe that if a woman used to eat seafood, then during the period of carrying a baby, she can safely enjoy this dish.
But what to do if you have never tried shrimp before, and during pregnancy you really want to? Is it possible for pregnant shrimp in this case? You can try the delicacy, but very little, and trace your reaction. Do not abuse seafood and lean on a shrimp dish without measure. Allowed is the use of 100 to 200 grams of product per week, it is this amount that will saturate the body with the necessary trace elements and will not harm the baby.
If you don’t want seafood, do not eat it at all. It is possible to do with other foods. In no case should you forcibly eat this delicacy, it can lead to indigestion and poisoning.
Some tips for those who really want ...
Here are some tips for pregnant women who decide to eat shrimp:
- They should be boiled in water for 7-8 minutes.
- During cooking, they should acquire a uniform milky hue.
- Do not eat seafood if it causes hostility.
- It is forbidden to eat canned shrimp if they stood open in the refrigerator for more than 3 days.
Can shrimp be pregnant? Unfortunately, safe shrimp are practically absent on store shelves, as producers have long ago learned to grow them artificially. Hormones and antibiotics are the safest ingredients that can be found in this treat. For this reason, many doctors advise to refrain from eating shrimp during the period of gestation.
Cooking secrets
In cooking, there are many recipes for shrimp dishes in which seafood is cooked, baked, stewed, fried. But which ones are more beneficial for pregnant women? Is it possible for pregnant boiled shrimp? For pregnant women, it is recommended that boiled food with the maximum amount of nutrients.
Before cooking, experienced housewives recommend defrosting and cleaning crustaceans. You need to cook the product in slightly salt water for about 7-8 minutes, after which you need to drain the water. In addition, shrimp can be used to make salads, soups, side dishes, snacks.
Precautionary measures
Despite the benefits of shrimp, you should not lean on them. In recent months, you should completely abandon this delicacy, as it can cause an allergy in the baby.
You need to buy only high-quality seafood:
- A dark or brown head indicates that the shrimp is of very poor quality (spoiled).
- Black paws indicate the age of the product.
- Yellow spots indicate that they tried to rejuvenate the shrimp with special solutions.
- If the shrimp have straight tails - frozen dead specimens.
- White spots and stripes indicate the frostbite of the product.
When buying a product, you need to pay attention to the packaging: if there is snow inside, then the product was thawed and frozen again.
This exotic delicacy, in addition to useful minerals, may contain toxins and metals. That is why it is important to choose only a quality product and know the measure in food.
Instead of a conclusion
Shrimp is a very healthy product that can be indispensable during pregnancy. The main thing is not to abuse the delicacy and to observe the basic principles of eating this delicacy.
Each for himself decides whether to eat shrimp during an interesting situation or not. If you really want to, you can’t refuse yourself, you just have to carefully choose the product, prepare it correctly and monitor your health.