Pregnant women constantly want something tasty, such as chocolate. Today you can find many of its species: dairy, white, dark. It is consumed even in hot form. Can pregnant women have chocolate? The health of the future baby is much more important than whims, but sometimes you really want to treat yourself. Below we will talk about the benefits and harms of chocolate.
Benefit
This sweet product contains trypophan, which acts like an antidepressant (improves mood). It also has cocoa beans - they increase immunity, improve the state of memory and the nervous system. In addition, the pressure normalizes (with hypotension) and the metabolism starts.
If you constantly consume chocolate in small quantities, you can replenish the supply of trace elements in the body. It contains calcium, phosphorus, fluorine and tianins. These substances help strengthen your teeth and get rid of plaque on them. This question is very relevant for expectant mothers.
So can pregnant women eat chocolate? It is possible, but only when choosing it, it is worth paying attention to the composition. A quality product should not contain confectionery fats and soybean oil. Everyone knows that it contains caffeine, but its proportion is not so high (10-30 mg per 100 g).
Harm
The composition of chocolate includes not only healthy cocoa beans, but also milk, glucose (with high calorie content). Excessive consumption can lead to excessive weight gain. Caffeine, which, although not many, has an exciting effect on the nervous system, increases pressure (dangerous for hypertensive patients).
One of the main dangers of treats is allergies, which are provoked by various components (for example, vegetable fats, oils). In this case, an allergic reaction can occur in a child. Dark chocolate is considered the “purest" , but it is better to refrain from using a white analogue. The latter contains a lot of additives.
Anyone who cares about the question: “Can chocolate be pregnant?” Should know that it can provoke heartburn. Some experts claim that its excessive use reduces the blood supply to the uterus. As a result, the fetus suffers, because it receives less nutrients.
Terms of use
1. The maximum benefit for the pregnant woman will be from chocolate with lots of cocoa. But from the products prepared by their dry powder, you should refrain.
2. A hot product from vending machines cannot be drunk by all people, and a home-made drink is too high in calories.
3. The most useful is chocolate in the form of a bar, and not the usual tiles.
4. Those who believe that a treat with fruits, nuts and various bubbles will be beneficial are mistaken.
5. Milk chocolate is not as healthy as it is advertised. It should be consumed in minimal amounts.
6. Before buying sweet products, you must familiarize yourself with the composition. In “healthy” chocolate there should be no colorants, preservatives or flavorings.
bitter chocolate
This type of treat contains more than 60% cocoa. The more it will be, the less harm it will cause. Is it possible for pregnant women to have bitter chocolate? You can, because it is rich in useful trace elements: calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, etc. Dark chocolate will save the body from aging, because it contains antioxidants. They ensure the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system and inhibit cell aging. In addition, the product improves tone, improves performance and endurance.
Women with metabolic disorders should refrain from bitter chocolate. However, this applies to the use of too large doses (more than 25 g per day). When overeating, sweetness replenishes fat stores in the body. A lot of harm to a pregnant woman will be caused by products made from low-quality raw materials. As a result, gastritis and other gastric diseases can worsen.
Hot chocolate
What could be tastier than a sweet invigorating drink consumed on an early cold morning? Is it possible for pregnant women to have hot chocolate? Experts say that it is possible, and only in the first trimester. This drink also improves mood, invigorates, stimulates brain activity, etc. However, pregnant women should remember its calorie content, which will affect weight gain. One mug of this sweet hot drink contains about 500 calories - this is a lot.
It is better to do it on your own, because in the finished powders there are a lot of harmful substances. We cook it like this: heat the milk on the stove (do not boil), add a little sugar and vanilla, mix. Grate dark chocolate and add it to the rest of the ingredients. If necessary, add fresh fruit (for example, banana). So it will be more tasty and healthy.
Milk chocolate
The main difference between milk chocolate and bitter chocolate is a small amount of cocoa (maximum 40%). In addition, it contains milk (usually in dry form). Is it possible for pregnant women to have milk chocolate? Thanks to cocoa, this product is also healthy, but to a lesser extent. But there is less caffeine in it, which may be important for pregnant women.
The pleasant taste and some benefits of a milk treat are clouded by a lot of sugar and fat. Because of these ingredients, there is a risk of overweight and diabetes. Many manufacturers add palm oil to their products, various additives that can harm the unborn baby. Milk chocolate is not dangerous for expectant mothers in an amount of not more than 30 g per day.
White chocolate
How nice to drink tea with white chocolate, which has a delicate and pleasant aftertaste. But is it possible for pregnant women to have this type of chocolate? Experts say that it will be more harm than good. Of course, there is no caffeine in it, but there is a lot of cocoa bean vegetable fat. As you know, there is nothing useful in it. As a result of taking the pregnant woman will receive only excess weight, high blood sugar and a decent dose of harmful substances.
This is not to say that there is nothing useful in white delicacy, because in the composition you can find selenium and potassium. However, there are still many more harmful substances.
Which chocolate to choose
Today, counterfeit chocolate is often found on the shelves. In the manufacture of it add cheap hydro fats and preservatives. The use of such a product can lead to serious illness. Even in fake sweets, cocoa powder (instead of natural), soy and various protein ingredients are found.
Can pregnant women have chocolate? Which and how best to choose? When going to the store you should inspect the packaging, which indicates the full composition. If the product contains vegetable oils and fats, then this is not real chocolate. Another ingredient that should not be considered preservatives.
To distinguish quality products from low-quality, you need to know some features:
- a small piece of real chocolate in the mouth will quickly melt (this will not happen only if it contains cocoa butter);
- if you break the tile, then dry crackle will sound;
- the product should not stretch;
- high-quality products are characterized by uniform color, smoothness and brilliance;
- at the break, the tile looks dull;
- in bitter chocolate there should be more than 50% of cocoa, in black - about 40%, in milk - 35-40%.
Can chocolate be given to pregnant women in the early stages? It is possible, but only a few lobules. Closer to delivery, it is better to refuse it, so as not to overload the body with unnecessary carbohydrates. If there is any doubt about its reception, then you should seek the advice of a specialist.