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Eating Corn In Pregnancy - Is It Safe?
Eating nutritious foods throughout pregnancy is essential to safeguard the health of both the expecting mom and her baby. But pregnancy is also when food cravings kick in and pregnant women find themselves longing to have corn kernels. But is it safe? That’s what we’ll answer with this article.
A Little More About Corn...
Corn, also called maize, is a popular cereal, which is rich in minerals and vitamins. It comprises of vitamin C, B1, B5, dietary fibre and magnesium. Not only is corn nutritious but it also very delicious. Many pregnant women find the juicy, and crunchy taste of sweet corn appealing.
Health Benefits of Eating Corn During Pregnancy
Some of the nutritional benefits of eating corn during pregnancy are:
1. Gives Relief from Constipation
Corn is an excellent source of dietary fibre and helps to alleviate digestive issues like constipation.
2. Lessens the Risk of Neonatal Defects
Corn contains folic acid, which reduces the risk of abnormalities in the unborn baby like Spina Bifida.
3. Increases Memory Power
Eating corn during pregnancy may help you buy grocery items without a shopping list! It also promotes the brain development of the foetus.
4. Prevents Muscular Degeneration
Consuming corn during pregnancy safeguards your baby from muscular degeneration after his birth as corn contains zeaxanthin.
5. Keeps the Baby’s Eyes Healthy
Corn is full of antioxidants like lutein which play a role in improving the eyesight of your unborn baby.
6. Prevents Cancer
Experts believe that the antioxidants present in corn can prevent the occurrence of some types of cancer including breast cancer.
7. Lowers the Risk of Tumours
Corn consists of phenolic compounds like ferulic acid which lower the risk of tumours.
8. Prevents Anaemia
Corn is an excellent source of vitamin B12 that aids the formation of blood cells and helps to prevent anaemia in pregnant women.
9. Boosts Immunity
Corn is rich in vitamin A; therefore it keeps your skin healthy, improves your immunity, and promotes memory power during pregnancy.
10. Increases Good Cholesterol
Intake of corn husk oil during pregnancy may promote the reduction of plasma LDL and increase the presence of good cholesterol in the body.
Are There Any Risks of Having Corn When You’re Pregnant?
No doubt, corn has many health benefits for pregnant women. But you should take care not to go overboard while consuming corn. Corn consists of fatty acids, which put pregnant women at the risk of heart ailments. Some pregnant women may suffer from indigestion on eating corn.
Keep These Things in Mind...
These points will enable you to get the most from corn during pregnancy:
Consume corn within a few days of buying it.
Refrain from removing the husk to retain the freshness of the corn.
Store corn in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Pregnant women should eat fresh corn instead of canned or frozen corn.
Avoid sprinkling artificial sweeteners on the corn kernels.
Tips to Cook Corn the Right Way
Boiling corn is the best way to prepare it. Removing the corn’s outer husk and silk, place it in a big pan. Add water and salt and cover the pan. Fresh corn requires only 3-4 minutes to boil. Don’t overcook the corn as this will harden the kernels.
Recipes
1. Corn Soup
Nothing can beat a steaming hot corn soup on a dull day.
Ingredients
Medium-sized corn cob – 1
Freshly ground pepper – 1/2 tsp
Chopped spring onions – 1 tbsp
Oil/butter – 1 tbsp
3/4 cup of warm milk + 3/4 cup of water
Corn flour – 1/2 tbsp
Salt - as required
Method
Boil the corn cob and scrape out the kernels.
Keeping a handful of kernels aside, blend the rest to a smooth paste.
Heat oil or butter in a pan.
Saute the spring onions until they become translucent.
Add the corn paste, water and milk to the pan.
Once the soup starts boiling, add the ground pepper, salt and the remaining kernels. Stir for 2-3 minutes.
Add the cornflour and let the soup thicken.
Serve with garlic or toasted bread.
2. Corn Chaat
Make your own street food-style corn chaat at home with this recipe!
Ingredients
Medium-sized corn cob – 1
1 1/2 cups of water
Chopped small onion – 1
Chopped tomato – 1
Chopped green chilli – 1
Chopped coriander – 1 tbsp
Red chilli powder - as required
Salt - as required
Chaat masala powder – as required
Lemon juice – 1-2 tsp
Sev – as required
Method
Pressure cook the corn cob and scrape out the kernels.
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
Garnish with sev and coriander.
Serve.
As a pregnant woman, you should include corn in your pregnancy diet. You can steam, boil or grill to enjoy its goodness. Next time, whenever the hunger pangs strike, corn will come to the rescue!
Also Read: Eating Potato during Pregnancy – Is It Safe? Read more
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Pica In Pregnancy - Causes, Complications & Remedies
Commonly, pregnancy has a lot of challenges that you need to overcome. One of the most common ones is the fight against cravings. As your body changes, so do your hormones, and this can lead to extreme cravings which are not always healthy. Overeating can be a challenge but so can a condition where unusual cravings bother you, this condition is called Pica.
What Is Pica?
Pica is a prevalent condition during pregnancy where you feel like eating non-food items. These include dirt, clay, coal, wood chips and steel.
These cravings can be hard to fight against but are known to be indicators of a deficiency of vitamins or minerals in your body. It is more commonly known to manifest in young children between the ages of 6 months to 11 years old. These cravings affect up to 30% of children; it is considered normal for pregnant women to have such cravings as well.
Causes of Pica During Pregnancy
While the exact causes of pica in women who are pregnant are unknown, it is assumed by doctors that this is a natural way of your body telling you that you need vitamins, minerals or other nutrients. Doctors also assume that unnatural cravings in pregnant women could be an indicator of an underlying physical condition or a form of mental illness that is triggered due to hormones.
Most Common Pregnancy and Pica Cravings
Pica can lead to numerous cravings, some of the most common ones are:
Dirt
Soap
Sand
Clay
Faeces
Paper
Hair
Toothpaste
Plastic
Wood Chips
Nails
Porcelain
Coal
Plaster of Paris
Kids Plaster
Pica can cause cravings that are specific to you when you get the uncontrollable urge to eat something that isn’t purely edible, talk to your primary care physician.
Will It Affect Your Baby?
Pica can affect your baby if you give into your cravings. Eating anything non-edible is considered harmful as this can lead to malnutrition because of issues with nutrition-absorption in your body. The urges can also be for items like plastic or paint which have toxic properties. It can be extremely harmful to both your baby and you.
Complications in Pica
Pica can lead to food absorption disabilities that eventually lead to malnutrition; it also can lead to infections due to the consumption of non-edible items that are hard to digest, in the case of glass or wood chips it could cut you throughout your digestive tract and lead to internal bleeding. The complications are specific to the cravings you have. It is essential that you understand what the cravings you have are and what risks are associated with them.
Dealing With Pica Cravings
It is most important not to panic, as pica is considered a typical craving. It can be managed and usually goes away after a short spell. Here are a few important things to note while dealing with it:
Have an open and honest conversation with your doctor. Tell them about your cravings no matter how unnatural or embarrassing they seem to you.
Inform your caregivers, and ensure they are aware of the risks and ramifications of giving into your urges. Having loved ones help you will make fighting the urge easier.
Ask your doctor if there is a need to review your prenatal records, and perform the required tests.
Monitor your nutritional levels, and keep an eye on your vitamin and mineral counts.
Monitor your iron and zinc intake, and keep an eye on your body’s magnesium. Take supplements regularly if they are low.
Distract yourself, watch TV or do something productive to keep your mind off the urges.
Try using substitutes like chewing gum or sugarless candy.
Pica is a very common condition which can have dire consequences; it is highly recommended that you talk to your doctors and begin managing it till the urges go away. Seek out a counsellor to ensure the condition isn’t due to an underlying psychological condition. Always remember to keep your loved ones informed of the status of your condition, and keep communicating as talking about it can help. Remember, the most important thing is not to panic and to follow your doctor’s advice.
Also Read: 25 Surprising & Interesting Pregnancy Facts Read more
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What is the Difference Between Foremilk and Hindmilk
Breast milk is generally known to have two components - foremilk and hindmilk. Foremilk is the milk that comes at the start of breastfeeding while hindmilk is the milk that comes at the end. Let’s understand more about it.
What are Foremilk and Hindmilk?
The breastmilk that the baby receives at the start of a breastfeeding session is known as the ‘foremilk,’ which has more water content, is higher in volume but has low-fat content. As the breastfeeding goes on, the fatty content of the breastmilk increases gradually, and the volume goes down. The breastmilk towards the end of the breastfeeding session is lower in volume but very high in fat content and is known as the ‘hindmilk.’ If you are thinking about foremilk vs hindmilk, the major difference is the fat content of the milk.
The breasts only produce one type of milk which has high-fat content. The different types of milk are the result of the mechanics of milk release. The fat content of the milk gradually increases as the breastfeeding session progresses. When the milk is being produced in the breast, the fat globules present in the breastmilk stick to each other and to the alveoli walls (where the milk is made). Milk gets collected in the breasts and slowly moves out through the nipple, leaving behind more and more of the fat content in between the breastfeeding sessions.
What is Foremilk-Hindmilk Imbalance?
If your breasts have more milk than your baby can comfortably consume, your supply will gradually go down over time to correlate to your baby’s actual breastmilk needs. Some babies might get an overdose of foremilk which is rich in lactose. This is known as a foremilk-hindmilk imbalance. Infants might also get foremilk-hindmilk imbalance if you have a healthy milk supply and you take your baby away from the breast before he has finished feeding or you switch sides too soon.
Confusion About the Green Nappies
Healthcare providers typically believe in the idea of sticking to one single breast for one feeding session (known as block-feeding), so that the baby can get more hindmilk. These healthcare providers (and mothers of this opinion) might observe the babies passing green stools. however, the common scant green nappy of your child not gaining weight is not as same as the abundant frothy green nappy of a child with an overload of lactose. Sticking to one breast is definitely not the solution for a baby suffering from green “starvation stools”. Check with your International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for more queries if you are unsure about what your child’s nappies mean or whether block-feeding is a good thing for your child.
Temporary Lactose Intolerance
In these circumstances, the child might find it problematic to digest all the copious amount of lactose that is plentiful in the foremilk causing lactose overload or temporary lactose intolerance. They might get uncomfortable and fussy with copious green, foamy and frothy nappies. The sheer volume and high sugar content of milk generally mean that infants gain weight quite well with foremilk-hindmilk imbalance. However, it may be possible that some babies might not gain enough weight in this circumstance. It is advised to breastfeed your baby on one breast per feed or for a period of time because this can be very beneficial with foremilk-hindmilk imbalance to make sure that babies intake a fine proportion of milk with higher fat concentration.
It doesn’t matter whether it is hindmilk or foremilk or something in the middle of the session, all your baby needs is lots of milk to grow healthy. It is the quantity of breast milk that determines the baby’s health rather than the fat content in a particular feed. So, don’t worry about the quantity of hindmilk that your baby is receiving.
Also Read: Content and Composition of Breastmilk Read more
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Importance of Talking to your Toddler
Talking to your child is important because it equips your child to have a healthy relationship with you, and it also assists him to imbibe the requisite social skills at an early age.
Your little one shows interest in interacting more often by this time, and you can take cues on enhancing conversations with her through friendly talks, increased social exposure, and interactive activities and games. The advantages of talking to your child are numerous. Some of these include:
Nurturing the Parent-Child Bond
Talking to your child is an important way of bonding. Lots of encouraging and positive talk will help you build a strong and lifelong bond with your child.
Equipping your Child to Build Relationships
Talking is the way in which we build relationship with others. This is why talking to your child equips him with the necessary skills for building healthy relationships, while also imparting critical social skills . As a parent, you are the first point of contact your child has with the world. Listen carefully as you talk, and allow your child to take turns while conversing with her.
Boosting your Child's Vocabulary
Talking to your child is the best way to introduce him or her to new words. Research studies have shown that by the age of 3, conversant children from talkative families have around 30 million more words directed to them as compared to those from less talkative families.
Strong Foundation for Further Reading and Learning
Talking prepares your child for reading, learning and holding conversations in the future. All of these are necessary for success at school, college and professional life.
Fostering Trust and Interaction
It is natural for us as human beings to talk the most to those we trust. We are likely to share our physical and emotional needs with those we talk to, and this helps us to interact positively with people around us. Communicating with your child helps foster that trust, and encourages interaction.
Likewise, talking freely encourages the expression of disagreement and teaches a child the importance of respecting someone else’s point of view, without getting into a conflict. Talking to your children teaches them this important lesson of voicing ones opinion in an argument assertively.
How to Interact with Your Child
As parents, grandparents or caregivers, you can start talking to your child when he or she is a baby. You can begin in the following ways:
Imitating facial expressions and sounds
Talking when changing a diaper
Story telling
Showing picture books/photos and talking about pictures
Asking questions
Singing
Praising and appreciating
You can communicate with slightly older kids by
Actively reading to/with your child
Using puppets or toys to play games and communicate
Applauding and appreciating good behaviour or achievements by clapping and talking
Singing along
Taking a walk in the park or go to the beach, and encourage your child to point at things like trees, animals, plants, flowers and name and explore them.
There is no one way of going about talking to your child. You have to choose what works best for you. It is important for parents to realize the importance of talking as an important aspect of child development. Connecting with your child through lots of loving talk will help you forge a strong relationship with him/her.
Talking to your child is the best way to introduce him or her to new words. Research studies have shown that by the age of 3, conversant children with expressive families will have around 30 million more words directed at them, as compared to those from less talkative families.
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Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
15 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
10 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
8 hours ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Swati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. Yes but first give in very small quantity to judge the reaction of your baby.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
6 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts is it okay that the baby is kicking less than usual?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. Yes it is the what part is that your child is kicking if you feel that there is a movement of your child whether it is a cake or slight movement also you know that your child is doing fine so there is no problem in that if the movement is less it’s completely alright
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to do if the baby’s nose is blovked
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. Nasal blockage is very common, specially in small children because of the narrow nasal cavity. Any kind of saline drops like nasal clear will be helpful in dissolving the stuffy secretions, which can be taken out by vnasal aspirator gently also steam inhalation will be helpful also, try to avoid keeping the child directly under the fan.
Ankita Mehta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
3 hours ago
Q. 22 week pregnant,baby konse month me or din me kitni baar move kartaa he ,pls bataye abhi sirf 2, 3 baar hi hota he
Ankita Mehta
Mom of a 8 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. hi
yes it's enough
and the frequency and timing may vary as we all are different
but yes, the frequency of feeling baby movements will increase now
please go for regular check-up to your gynecologist
and follow his or her suggestions
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. hi
need help and advice
my RT 18x16mm and LT 10x16mm ET 6.59
and did ovulation rest also showing fertility test C as if now , pls advice if we intercourse tomorrow then when will be my ovulation start.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. You can check with an ovulation kit if it is positive then you can certainly go ahead with the conception because ovulation kit is going to give you 100% clarity whether you are ovulating or not with that you can try practising if you can conceive the same time
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