Is it bad to eat pesto when pregnant? let's talk about
Can pesto be consumed during pregnancy or could there be risks for the fetus? If you have discovered that you are pregnant, it is normal to ask yourself all these questions, but we are ready to answer all your doubts. Pesto is a widely used sauce in Italian cuisine, it is perfect as a condiment for pasta and more. But what are the foods to watch out for during pregnancy? Is pesto among them?
What is pesto?
Pesto is a sauce with a typical green color given by basil, one of the main ingredients. Together with pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pecorino or pamigiano, they are one of the most popular condiments for pasta. Of Ligurian origin, Genoese pesto exists both in its version with garlic and without: precisely because it is not loved and not well digested by everyone, it is very often possible to find, alongside the traditional recipe, a lighter and garlic-free version.
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Can I eat pesto when pregnant?
Pesto during pregnancy, especially if it is of quality and made with fresh and genuine ingredients, does not involve any risk. Obviously every pregnancy is different, so it is always better to ask your doctor for a consultation first and above all, the basic rule that applies to all nutrition during pregnancy: never overdo the portions!
We know that often and willingly resisting the taste of Genoese pesto sauce is almost impossible, but an overdose can lead to complications for you and your baby.
One idea to play it safe and prepare a light and healthy pesto is to try your hand at making green sauce right at home. How? Make sure you wash the basil leaves thoroughly, as they may contain bacteria. particular disorders related to digestion, add a clove of garlic with medicinal properties useful also and especially during the 9 months of pregnancy to the pesto.
5 reasons to consume pesto when pregnant
1 - Basil is good for you
Basil is the main ingredient of pesto, which gives it its typical green color and unmistakable taste. But few people know that basil is a medicinal plant useful for the stomach. It also provides a number of minerals and vitamins which include iron, beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin K useful for the whole organism.
2 - Pesto contains proteins
Within the traditional recipe of Genoese pesto, there are also pine nuts, naturally rich in proteins as well as essential fatty acids for pregnancy. Do you know what the role of proteins in pregnancy is? Being able to regulate your appetite, making you feel satiated. A healthy diet always contains the right amount of protein that helps burn fat to replace it with muscle mass. Furthermore, proteins are essential for the development of the fetus.
3 - The caloric intake is limited
The advice to eat pesto while pregnant also derives from the fact that although it is rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins, its caloric intake is not high, so you do not risk putting on pounds that are difficult to dispose of after childbirth.
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4 - Vitamins useful for bone development
Pesto during pregnancy proves to be a valid source of vitamin D useful for having healthy and strong bones and joints during pregnancy. Vitamin C, on the other hand, increases your energy levels and makes you immune to various infections during pregnancy. Finally, vitamin A helps improve the appearance of the skin during pregnancy.
5 - Pesto contains good fats
The creaminess of the pesto is due to the extra virgin olive oil, rich in monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are good for the heart and generally promote cardiovascular health during pregnancy, increasing the strength of the arterial walls and cleaning the arteries.
The pesto with its composition, favors the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) at the expense of the bad one (LDL).
Pesto in pregnancy: the risks
It is true, until now we have listed all the benefits of Genoese pesto, but unfortunately there is some risk regarding its consumption during pregnancy. Meanwhile, a necessary premise concerns the quantity: you must never overdo it because the calories of the pesto combined with those of the pasta create a substantial dish for which portions should be limited.
In addition, pesto, being essentially made of basil, could lead to toxoplasmosis, an infection that is not worrying in healthy people, is asymptomantic or simply presents itself in the form of flu symptoms. For pregnant women, toxoplasmosis can have more serious consequences, causing fetal problems (malformations or brain damage) and leading to a miscarriage. The bacterium that causes toxoplasmosis is found mostly in raw meats and cured meats, but also in fruits and vegetables - that's why you should make sure you wash your basil leaves very well before making pesto.
How to choose the type of pesto
Pesto during pregnancy, especially the one packaged and purchased at the supermarket, can be consumed without problems to reproduce numerous recipes at home, this is because it is subjected to numerous checks and can be considered safe. Each brand has a different flavor and it is easy to become attached to pesto rather than to another that best suits our personal taste. What to do? First of all it is essential to read the label of the ingredients, inquiring about the quantity of salt and preservatives present in the jar.
If you buy pesto from the deli counter and want to avoid the risk of toxoplasmosis at all costs, freeze it for a few days in the freezer so that the bacterial load, if present, is reduced.
Pesto and its variants
When we talk about pesto, we often refer to basil pesto, but there are also other very tasty variations in which the protagonists are vegetables or dried fruit. Let's see some of these recipes and understand if it is appropriate to eat it during pregnancy or not.
Zucchini pesto
Zucchini pesto is a variant of the classic Genoese pesto. Very easy to prepare and more delicate, therefore also suitable for children. Just blend the cooked courgettes seasoned with a little oil and salt, together with a few leaves of basil, pine nuts, salt, Parmesan cheese and add oil slowly. Also add a little water to make it more fluid. The result will be a delicious cream with which to season pasta, or to be used as a soup to accompany with croutons. Zucchini pesto can be eaten during pregnancy, as long as the vegetable is perfectly washed to avoid the risk of toxoplasmosis.
Pesto Walnuts
The walnut pesto is very tasty and has the advantage of being able to be prepared in a few minutes with ingredients that are used directly raw. Walnuts, salt, pepper, oil, Parmesan cheese and milk: combine everything in an immersion blender and proceed to blend for a few minutes until you reach the desired consistency. But is walnut pesto dangerous in pregnancy? The foresight to have concerns the milk that must be pasteurized. Also, this is a very nutritious sauce, so never go overboard.
