In the happy period of expectation of the baby, every woman tries especially carefully to monitor her health. At this time, the menu is significantly limited, and the expectant mother refuses herself in many ways, including the use of her favorite drinks, in particular coffee. But it is quite possible to replace it, and the analogue is absolutely natural - this is chicory. It helps to cheer up and does not contain harmful caffeine. Thus, chicory during pregnancy becomes an excellent alternative to coffee.
Chicory: composition and useful properties
The composition of chicory root revealed:
- B vitamins, as well as A, C, E and PP;
- minerals - sodium, manganese, phosphorus, iron and potassium;
- about 15% sugar;
- tannins;
- organic acids;
- choline;
- chicorin;
- essential oils;
- intibin.
The last component on the list - intibin - is actively used in the pharmaceutical field. On its basis, drugs are made that help normalize the functions of the nervous system.
Thanks to a unique set of biologically active substances, chicory is able to exhibit a number of useful properties: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, choleretic, soothing, stimulating appetite.
Chicory in the diet
The chicory that can be found on sale today is an extract from the roots of the plant. And as a rule, it has three forms: syrup, granules and powder in tea bags. Among all, the most common is granular chicory. In addition to a pure drink, in stores and pharmacies there are mixtures with various medicinal plants or dried berries.
During pregnancy, soluble chicory is used instead of coffee, both in pure form and with a small portion of milk. For taste, you can add sugar or sweet syrup. In addition, its granules or powder is often added to salads and hot dishes - chicory helps to make their taste more vibrant, original and gives additional benefits.
How does chicory affect the body?
Drinking chicory during pregnancy is useful for the following reasons:
- he calms, relieves tension and improves mood;
- the drink promotes vasodilation, normalizes cholesterol and does not increase pressure;
- removes toxins from the body, toxins, other harmful compounds, thus establishing the work of all internal organs;
- having in its composition a set of important biologically active substances, normalizes the blood formula and is an additional source of vitamins;
- works like a mild diuretic;
- improves the cardiovascular system and regulates the metabolic processes in the body.
Help the nervous system
Nervousness, anxiety for any reason - these are the conditions that are characteristic of pregnancy. Chicory, containing intibin, will help relieve increased anxiety and nervous tension. And at the same time, unlike pharmaceutical preparations, such a drink will take care not only about the condition of the future mother, but also about the health of the fetus. Plus, it is natural, and with its help a woman can reduce the amount of chemistry consumed.
Normalization of the digestive system
During the period of gestation, the digestive organs are often disturbed, which provokes attacks of nausea, heartburn and constipation. In this case, a small cup of soluble chicory will help. During pregnancy, such a drink quickly solves the problems of the digestive system. With its help, the functions of the stomach are normalized, acidity decreases and intestinal motility improves. As a result, it is possible to establish intestinal patency and significantly improve overall health.
Improving blood count
During pregnancy, chicory can be recommended for use with anemia, because, as you know, this condition is often observed in expectant mothers. A soluble drink is rich in iron and other trace elements that improve blood composition and make up for the deficiency of red blood cells - blood cells that help supply nutrients to every cell in the body.
To normalize the blood formula, a solution of chicory juice is recommended. For 100 g of milk, add 5 ml of juice and take it three times a day. If it was not possible to find such juice on sale, then it can also be made independently: pour chicory buds and its shoots with boiling water and pass through a meat grinder. Then squeeze the liquid out of the resulting mass and boil it for five minutes. Chicory juice is ready.
Help with edema
During pregnancy, problems with urination are not uncommon. As a result, stagnant phenomena are formed that provoke the formation of edema. In this case, the cyclic drink is prepared from the crushed roots of the plant. 4 tablespoons of raw materials are poured into a glass of boiling water and left in a thermos for 8 hours. Ready tea is drunk 3-4 times a day.
Early Cyclic Drink
Chicory during pregnancy in the early stages in the absence of contraindications can be drunk without fear. Since the drink does not contain any harmful substances, it is not capable of causing potential harm to either the expectant mother or the fetus.
However, in any case, consultation with a specialist is necessary, since only your doctor is able to say for sure whether chicory during pregnancy is in your case. This is especially important in a situation when you are going to drink this drink for the first time.
Methods for making a chicory drink
A chicory drink, as mentioned above, can be prepared from granules, dry powder or syrup. Such forms are sold today in many stores and pharmacies. Consider recipes.
- Coffee. Pour a couple of spoons of dry root with boiling water, bring to a boil and cook at low boil for a quarter of an hour. Leave for 5 minutes under the lid, filter and pour into cups.
- Cocoa. Mix 2 tablespoons of chicory with 2-3 teaspoons of sugar and pour half a liter of milk. Mix everything, put on fire, let it boil and cook for about five minutes with constant stirring. Before use, it is advisable to filter the finished drink.
- With diabetes. Drinking chicory during pregnancy in this case is recommended in small portions throughout the day. Prepare a drink from a teaspoon of the root, filled with 200 ml of boiling water. The mixture is boiled in a water bath for 10 minutes, after which it is filtered.
- With diseases of the kidneys, liver and nervous disorders. In such situations, it is better to use dried grass. To prepare a drink, a teaspoon of raw material is poured into 200 ml of boiling water and left under the lid for 30 minutes. Then the infusion is filtered and drunk throughout the day in small parts.
- Instant chicory drinks are much easier to prepare. To do this, pour granules or powder with hot water (it is better not to use boiling water) and add sugar to taste. If desired, you can pour a few tablespoons of milk. But at the same time, remember that such an additive can greatly change the taste of chicory, which not everyone likes. In most cases, this is due to a frequent change in taste preferences during pregnancy.
Contraindications
Having figured out when you can drink chicory during pregnancy, you should also dwell on its contraindications.
- Chicory is a medicinal plant, the intake of which can provoke the development of allergies.
- Direct contraindications include individual intolerance. In addition, when acquiring mixtures in which, in addition to chicory, there are other herbs, one should definitely pay attention to their properties. For example, stevia is able to provoke an increase in pressure, and ginseng stimulates uterine tone.
- Using chicory during pregnancy with milk, you need to monitor the reaction of your body. It happens that such a combination leads to problems with pressure and arrhythmias. Such conditions are evidence that you are not recommended to drink these products together, even if their individual use does not lead to a deterioration in well-being.
- It is extremely undesirable to drink cyclic decoctions and infusions with varicose veins.
- For gastritis, liver, gall bladder and peptic ulcer diseases, such drinks should be completely excluded from your diet.
- Uncontrolled consumption of chicory during pregnancy can provoke health problems. In small quantities and in the absence of contraindications, such a drink will not bring harm.
In addition, it is recommended to start using chicory during pregnancy with small portions. If at the same time you will feel good - such a drink may well be present on your menu.