Feijoa during pregnancy - benefits and harms

The main requirement for the diet of a pregnant woman is balance and safety. And when it comes to vitamins and minerals, doctors recommend focusing on fresh vegetables and fruits. It is optimal if they grow in the same climate in which a woman lives. But even if they are not characteristic of a certain climatic zone, then this is not a reason to refuse to use them. And a vivid example of this is feijoa. What are the differences between this berry, is it possible to eat it for pregnant women and what to look for at the time of purchase?

Specific features

Feijoa is an oblong green berry originally grown in South America. Today it is widespread in many regions of the world with a subtropical and tropical climate. Feijoa is especially popular in Sicily, Spain, Italy and Georgia. Outwardly, it vaguely resembles a green walnut.

The plant was first discovered in Brazil at the end of the 19th century by the Portuguese explorer Juan de Silva Feijo, in whose honor the fruits were named. Subsequently, feijoa was brought to France, and from there migrated to the Caucasus. This autumn is a heat-loving plant, and the maximum frost that it can survive is up to -10 ° C.

The most delicious thing in the feijoa fruits is the flesh. It is very juicy and nutritious and not comparable to any berry typical of the continental climate. The peel of the fetus is also edible, but slightly tart in taste, so many prefer to remove it. But it contains more vitamins and minerals than in the pulp.

The composition and unique properties of feijoa

Feijoa, like many other berries, is full of vitamins and beneficial ingredients. In its composition there is malic and folic acid. Easily digestible fats and protein dominate in the pulp, due to which the berry is considered dietary. Doctors recommend that pregnant women use feijoa as a snack, replacing it with high-calorie dishes. This will not only enrich the body with nutrients, but also simply satisfy hunger.

The first thing feijoa is famous for - the highest concentration of iodine that can only be in a plant product - from 8 to 30 mg per 100 g of fruit. This is many times higher than its indicators in seafood. Due to the fact that iodine is in a water-soluble form, it is absorbed by almost 100%. According to statistics, more than 80% of pregnant women suffer from iodine deficiency, so the addition of feijoa to the diet will prevent the development of thyroid pathology. The berry is especially useful for 12 weeks of gestation, since at this time the fetal thyroid gland is laying. But an overdose of iodine is no less dangerous, so when carrying a child you should not eat feijoa in uncontrolled quantities. Optimum - 1-2 pcs. in a day.

What else is feijoa rich in:

1. Leukanthocin and kakhetin contained in the peel, considered to be powerful antioxidants. It is responsible for inhibiting the development of cancer, but pregnant women need them to strengthen immunity.
2. Plant fibers that improve the natural intestinal motility. They prevent constipation, which affects most women in the situation.
3. Vitamin C, which is also necessary for the body's resistance to bacterial and viral infections.
4. Calcium, responsible for the normal development of pregnancy. A growing fetus needs it for the growth of teeth and bones, for the formation of a healthy nervous and cardiovascular system.
5. Vitamin B1, which plays a key role in metabolic processes.Thiamine takes part in the work of the nervous system, improves blood circulation, normalizes the brain.

Contraindications

Even despite its rich composition, feijoa has dangerous properties that must be taken into account:

1. The berry is contraindicated in women suffering from hyperthyroidism (hyperteriosis). This is due to the high concentration of iodine in its composition.
2. Due to its high sugar content, it is not necessary to eat it for pregnant women who are overweight and have diabetes.
3. Feijoa cannot be combined with cow's milk, as this will lead to intestinal upset.

It is advisable to try this exotic berry before pregnancy. This will allow you to track individual reactions and possible intolerance to the product. In case of an allergy, it is better to refuse feijoa. Children should be given the berry with caution, starting with a quarter teaspoon.

Feijoa in cooking

Jam, jams, compotes are most often prepared from strange berries and used as one of the salad ingredients. One of the simplest recipes is a combination of feijoa and honey. To do this, wash the fruit, peel it, and mix the remaining pulp with one spoon of honey. The resulting dish can be eaten right away, or can be folded into a jar and combined with dried fruits. For a pregnant woman, this is a great alternative to purchased sweets, in which there is a very large percentage of refined sugar.

In feijoa salads, it goes well with apples, citrus fruits, avocados, as well as boiled carrots and beets. It is better to season salad with natural homemade yogurt.

The peel of the berry can be carefully peeled and dried, subsequently adding to the tea leaves. It will enrich the taste of the drink, make it saturated.

The use of feijoa in cosmetology

With the help of feijoa, you can refuse to buy expensive care products, since it has a nourishing and anti-aging effect. The easiest way to make a mask out of it. This will require half the fruit, one tablespoon of natural coconut or any vegetable oil, the yolk of one egg and 2 tablespoons of grated curd paste. Peel the berry and mashed the pulp. Add to it all the other ingredients and the resulting mixture is evenly distributed on the skin of the face. Leave the mask on the skin for 15-20 minutes, then carefully rinse it off with water or moist cotton pads.

Selection and storage of feijoa

To make sure that the feijoa has matured, you can only cut it. If the pulp has a sand color, it means that it is overripe or even rotted. If it is white, then the fruit is still green, respectively, it is not necessary to eat it. In a ripe berry, it should be transparent and tender.

It is best to store feijoa in the refrigerator in the vegetable and fruit departments. The maximum period that she can lie is 14 days. It all depends on the degree of berry ripening. Ideally, the berry should be stored for no more than 7 days, especially if it was ripe at the time of purchase. As feijoa loses moisture, it becomes sweeter.

Tasty and ripe feijoa is an excellent product for any pregnant woman. It is considered an excellent substitute for high-calorie desserts, the use of which affects the figure. Just a few fruits a day will provide the necessary amount of iodine and simply enrich the diet.

Video: the benefits and harms of feijoa