The Benefits of Coconut
During Pregnancy
A very
trendy coconut craze is spreading and it shows no signs of slowing down. And
despite some of the claims of this most recent superfood being exaggerated (or
yet unfounded), I’m not complaining. Whether it’s in the kitchen or on my skin,
I love the smell, tastes and feel of this versatile tropical treat. If
you’re pregnant, there are a number of reasons you should be excited too.
Packed with
Goodness.
Coconuts are
a rich source of electrolytes and potassium – which are especially important
during pregnancy. They’re also packed with healthy goodness that includes
magnesium, calcium, and a range of vitamins. As a source of lauric acid,
coconuts have great antiviral and antibacterial properties and support proper
immune functions to help protect your and your baby’s health in pregnancy.
Some studies
also connect coconut products with healthy hormone production, weight
maintenance, bone health, the prevention of fatigue and a reduction in joint
and muscle inflammation.
Healthy
Breast Milk
Coconuts
help to produce healthy breast milk. A study in the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition shows that a single meal with coconut oil can affect the
fatty acid composition of breast milk for 1 to 3 days (with the maximum
increase occurring during the first 10 hours).
Coconut
Water
This cool
drink is refreshing and healthy. For many, however, it is an acquired taste. So
you probably won’t get much from small sips alone. Some studies suggest it
helps prevent urinary tract infections, reduces the risk of kidney stones,
relieves constipation and helps to promote overall digestive health. This
isotonic drink is 95% water and has little sugar (just be sure you’re buying
pure coconut water and not a coconut “drink”). So drink up to help prevent
dehydration and exhaustion.
Coconut Milk
& Cream
Coconut Milk
is a great dairy alternative. It’s good in coffee, whipped up as a dessert
topping (use full fat cream if doing this) and in a stir fry.
It’s also an
excellent chemical free way to treat sunburn, remove eye makeup (try 1 part
coconut milk and 2 parts olive oil) – which is especially good news if your
skin is more sensitive during your pregnancy. (It’s also great in smoothies!)
Coconut Oil
Coconut OIl
is an awesome source of “good” fatty acids. Stable at high temperature levels,
it’s ideal for cooking. Its also an excellent replacement for butter and
fattier oils in many recipes.
Coconut oil
has an impressive shelf-life – athough, with all its uses, that’s not really an
issue. It’s great for your skin, conditioning your hair and on your cuticles.
Lather it on to help allow skin to stretch during pregnancy. It may help
prevent stretch marks (hey, it’s worth a try), and alleviate itching caused by
skin stretching, especially on the belly and breasts.
Accessible
and Easy
I’m
overwhelmed with the amount of recipes and tips out there for coconut products.
There are books and entire sites devoted to it, so it’s pretty easy to
incorporate into your daily life. If you’re unsure about anything, you can
always speak to your doctor to understand the role of good fats in your diet,
increased levels of lauric acid or the importance of potassium.
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