Can olives be eaten when pregnant or are they at risk?
At first glance, pregnant olives shouldn't be dangerous for the expectant mother, but will this really be the case? We know well how delicate the issue of "nutrition during pregnancy is, and that is why we want to discuss this topic with you to see us understand something more. Before going into details, however, we propose watching a video with the foods to avoid throughout the gestation period.
Can olives be eaten when pregnant?
We want to try to immediately answer the main question of this article: can you eat olives when you are pregnant? We know how a pregnant woman is constantly struggling with problems related to nutrition, for this we need more clarity. If we also consider the cravings and foods to avoid during pregnancy, it can be really difficult to find the right balance. Knowing what to eat during pregnancy is very important for the correct development of the baby, not only for his health, but also for that of the mother. What should not be eaten during pregnancy? instead, olives can be eaten safely even in nine months.
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Nutritional properties of olives in pregnancy
Let's dispel the myth: olives are not among the foods to avoid during pregnancy, as they contain various nutritional properties useful for the well-being of the mother and the child. Therefore, when we talk about what you can eat during pregnancy, we can absolutely consider a food like olives, safe, even if with some small precautions.
Why are olives good for mum and baby during pregnancy? Eating olives is good for the following reasons:
- they contain polyphenols, vitamin E, beta-carotene and are therefore powerful antioxidants;
- they contain sodium, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, vitamins C and A, thiamine;
- they are easily digested.
Not only are olives not among the banned foods during pregnancy, but according to some studies they are even recommended foods because they can prevent asthma and allergies in the child after his birth.
The only thing to keep in mind is the often high amount of salt in this food, especially for those suffering from high blood pressure which can be dangerous during gestation. It will be enough to moderate the quantities you take, because eating a few olives will, among other things, help lower blood pressure.
Olives in pregnancy and toxoplasmosis risk
One of the most serious risks associated with pregnancy is that of toxoplasmosis which can be very dangerous. It is an "infection that, if it arises during the 9 months of gestation, could endanger the baby. To understand if the mother has already had a" toxoplasmosis infection, a blood test is carried out and if it turns out to be negative doubts and questions may begin to arise. In severe cases, toxoplasmosis can lead to abortion, damage the fetus or induce premature birth.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that can affect animals such as cats, other mammals, but also birds and shellfish. For this reason it is essential to pay attention to what you eat during pregnancy in order not to get toxoplasmosis. The infection is contracted by eating undercooked meat from infected animals or by coming into contact with their feces or with the land they have relieved of. This is why many foods during pregnancy should only be eaten well cooked.
For this reason, foods not recommended during pregnancy are mainly raw fish and cured meats, as well as rare or not well cooked meats. As for raw fruits and vegetables, care must be taken to wash them very carefully.
To avoid any kind of risk in the nine months before giving birth, many expectant mothers prefer to always choose cooked foods. As for olives in pregnancy, we have already said that the answer is that they can be eaten without problems, let's see how to consume them.
To avoid the risks associated with toxoplasmosis, it is good to wash the olives carefully before eating them. How to do? Use specific disinfectants or baking soda. Absolute tranquility can be had by eating cooked olives.
All the ways to consume olives during pregnancy
Olives during pregnancy are not bad, but what is the correct way to consume them and above all in what quantities? Here are some rules to follow:
- Green olives in pregnancy contain about 15% fat, are safe and can be consumed in small quantities.
- Black olives during pregnancy, on the other hand, contain 25% fat and they too can be consumed without risk.
- Pickled olives during pregnancy are the ones to be especially careful of especially because they contain a high salt content which is not good during gestation because it can raise blood pressure in women at risk.
- Olives in oil during pregnancy are very caloric and it would be better to avoid them altogether, along with all other types of foods in oil.
- Olive oil during pregnancy is an excellent condiment for all types of dishes.
