Can pregnant women eat chips?

Expectant mothers are forced to severely limit themselves to treats for the sake of a healthy formation and development of the child. But sometimes one wants to indulge in some kind of harmfulness, for example, salty potato chips.

Unfortunately, there is nothing useful in this semi-finished product, so we will only talk about the dangers of chips during pregnancy. Another question is how large the negative effect of the components on the body is, and what can be done to minimize it.

How chips are made

To understand why this snack is so harmful to health, it is necessary to consider the features of its production and quality composition.

Most companies produce chips not from natural potatoes, as shown in the advertisement, but from dried starchy material, rice flakes or corn flour. Classic potato chips are 30% pure powder, 60% starch and 10% harmful chemical components designed to improve the gastronomic characteristics of the dish.

Consider the approximate composition of the chips:

• potato components (starch, powder);
• soybeans;
• salt (in an average pack of 50 g contains a daily dose of seasoning);
• low quality vegetable oil;
• carcinogens;
• acrylomide;
• glycidamide;
• flavorings;
• hydrogenated fats;
• flavor enhancers;
• preservatives;
• dyes;
• spice.

Potato preparations are fried in oil at high temperatures (about 120 ° C), as a result of which absolutely all possible useful components disappear. But cooking at such degrees leads to the formation of acrylamide and carcinogens, these toxins for the pregnant body.

Chips harm for expectant mothers

The fact is known that the placenta is not a 100% barrier protecting the child from harmful substances. In addition, the chemical additives and salt that accumulate in the mother’s body provoke swelling, which negatively affects gestation and can aggravate the symptoms of toxicosis.

Chips damage for women and children:

1. Taste enhancers and acidity regulators lead to digestive disorders (heartburn, gastritis, ulcer, flatulence, constipation, poisoning, etc.).
2. Trans fats and oils cause excess calories to settle in the body. There are enough lipids even in a small bag of chips (about 30 g), which significantly exceeds the daily norm and leads to excessive weight gain by pregnant women.
3. A significant amount of salt retains fluid in the body of a woman, as a result of which the outflow of urine is impaired and renal dysfunction is observed. Also, a high level of sodium chloride leads to an imbalance of water-salt metabolism and general metabolism.
4. Soy starch, which is also often used in the manufacture of the product, the body processes into glucose. It is deposited in the liver and leads to obesity.
5. Glutamate sodium gives an original taste to the snack - an additive that is addictive. That is why, no matter how big the box of goodies is, a person in most cases eats everything to the end, acquiring it again and again.
6. Glycidamide supplementation is a carcinogen that increases the risk of oncology and can damage DNA, as evidenced by numerous studies.
7. Acrylamide is obtained from fried starch and negatively affects the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system, internal organs.
8. Hydrogenated fats, which are absorbed by chips during the frying process, lead to the formation of "bad" cholesterol. He, in turn, can cause diseases of the endocrine and cardiovascular system of the future mother (thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis and others).It is believed that fats increase the risk of diabetes and gestational diabetes, can impair glucose tolerance in the expectant mother.
9. Regular use of chips increases a pregnant woman's risk of breast diseases, including tumors.
10. Snack abuse can weaken the peripheral nervous system, resulting in limb numbness.

How to take during pregnancy

Of course, it is difficult for an expectant mother to often deny herself anything. In some cases, you can afford a small package of chips.

1. The desire to enjoy snacks does not go out of my head for several days, does not give rest to a pregnant woman.
2. The desire to eat chips appeared in the 2-3 trimester, when the formation of all the organs and internal systems of the baby was already completed.
3. You can control your appetite and know for sure that only satisfy your need with a small bundle, no more.
4. The state of health allows you to eat chips (there is no increased acidity of the stomach, swelling, diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system, pregnancy pathology, etc.).

It is also advisable for a pregnant woman to use natural chips, which can be done at home. To do this, just finely chop the fresh potatoes and carefully grease the plates with olive oil. The dish is cooked in the microwave until completely dried (usually a few minutes at medium power), after which it needs to be slightly salted.

Such natural chips retain at least a fraction of the useful components inherent in potatoes: vitamins (group A, B, C, E), minerals (for example, iodine), vegetable proteins and natural starch. In addition, the potato contains folic acid, which is necessary for a pregnant woman in the early stages. It prevents fetal malformations, contributes to the formation of its neural tube.

Nutritionists and gynecologists do not advise women to use chips during pregnancy. If you really want to, you can eat no more than 10 g of industrial chips once a week. At the same time, it is important to give preference to products of famous brands, having previously studied the composition. Homemade goodies can be consumed several times in a volume of up to 30 g. Be sure to control the level of salt.

The harmfulness of chips for pregnant women is proven. It is very important to observe safety measures if you risk to try a treat. It is also advisable to opt for home products.

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