Spinach during pregnancy - benefits and harms

Within nine months, the pregnant woman and the fetus form a single whole. The development, well-being, and even the life expectancy of the baby depends on how the expectant mother eats. A pregnant woman tries to form her diet in such a way that both she and the unborn baby get maximum nutrients. For the intake of the necessary amount of vitamins and fiber, special attention must be paid to vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Spinach - the most representative of greens in nutrients. Refers to grassy one- or two-year-old representatives of the genus harem. First, a rosette is formed from the leaves, which are eaten.

In America and Europe, spinach is widespread, the French rightly call him the king of vegetables. In our country, they still treat him with some caution, preferring a variety of salads, greens, cabbage. Most likely, this is due to the fresh taste. However, this green vegetable has more and more fans.

Benefits of Spinach

The leaves contain many vitamins and other substances that are essential during pregnancy to ensure its normal course and proper development of the fetus.

This greens has a beneficial effect on the female body, helping to overcome many diseases:

1. It is especially necessary to note the significant content of folic acid necessary for a woman during pregnancy and during the preparation for it. Folic acid is absorbed from spinach by 85–90 percent, and from vitamin complexes in a much smaller amount.
2. The iodine contained in the leaves of spinach is necessary for the formation of the nervous system and brain of the fetus. During pregnancy, the female body often lacks this element, spinach will help to cope with this problem.
3. Vitamin K will ensure the smooth operation of the heart muscle. It will help better absorption of calcium, will not allow it to be washed out of bones and teeth. During pregnancy, calcium is especially necessary, since it is a building material for the skeletal system of the fetus. If calcium is not enough, a woman has problems with the health of teeth, nails and hair, bones become more brittle.
4. One of the common problems pregnant women face is iron deficiency. During this period, the amount of blood in the body increases significantly, and the level of hemoglobin decreases. Eating greens will help replenish iron stores in the blood. Iron supplied with spinach leaves is absorbed more completely than from pharmacy vitamins.
5. A large amount of fiber contained in greens helps to cope with constipation, which is observed in many future mothers. Dishes containing spinach will help the body get rid of toxins and toxins and improve digestion.
6. Low-calorie greens. Its use will help not to gain extra pounds that can complicate the course of pregnancy and childbirth.
7. Spinach has an antioxidant effect, reduces the amount of free radicals, thus preventing oxidation reactions.
8. Beta-carotene in combination with vitamin C strengthens blood vessels, makes their walls more elastic.
9. Lutein has a beneficial effect on vision, reducing fatigue and muscle tension.
10. Spinach strengthens the gums, is used to prevent periodontal disease.

The use of spinach will help a pregnant woman to get the necessary portion of vitamins and minerals, improve her well-being and mood.

The Harmful Properties of Spinach

Despite the huge number of useful properties, spinach has contraindications.They are caused by a large amount of oxalic acid. In the presence of diseases of the excretory system and kidneys, gastritis and ulcers, the use of food containing spinach should be limited.

Eating spinach

It is necessary to use young green leaves for food, they are much more useful. Dishes with spinach can be included in your diet every other day, consuming no more than 300 grams. Spinach is used not only for the preparation of salads, soups, casseroles. Freshly squeezed spinach juice will help in the fight against dry cough, they can rinse the sore throat, get rid of bleeding gums. Boiled spinach in olive oil will cure eczema and burns, lighten age spots that often appear on the skin in the second half of pregnancy.

Storage

The disadvantages of greenery include a short shelf life. Fresh leaves are stored in the refrigerator for no more than 8 days. Fresh young leaves are put in a salad. If the greens has grown, bitterness has appeared in the taste, they are scalded and subjected to heat treatment. Spinach is added to soups, casseroles, warm salads. For long-term storage, spinach is frozen, salted, dried. Leaves thus prepared can be stored for about a year.

Spinach is extremely useful, try to include it in your diet more often at any time of the year. Healthy nutrition is the key to the proper development of the baby.

Video: The Benefits of Spinach