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Consumption of Fenugreek (Methi) Seeds During Pregnancy
Fenugreek is a herb that is native to Asia and the Mediterranean region. Fenugreek seeds are used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Fenugreek seeds have a strong flavour and when consumed in raw form they taste bitter. Fenugreek seeds offer various health benefits. They are consumed to treat digestive and respiratory issues and to strengthen the digestive system. These seeds are also known to treat menstrual problems and induce labour. But is it really beneficial to consume these seeds during pregnancy?
Benefits of Consuming Fenugreek Seeds During Pregnancy
Fenugreek is rich in anti-inflammatory properties and it offers essential minerals and vitamins that are required during pregnancy. Here are some of the benefits of consuming fenugreek seeds during pregnancy.
Consuming fenugreek seeds during pregnancy acts as a natural combatant for gestational diabetes.
Breast enlargement is a common occurrence during pregnancy that causes breast tenderness and can be painful. However, consuming fenugreek seeds can help alleviate pain. Soak a few seeds overnight in water, strain the liquid in the morning and drink.
Fenugreek has been shown to relieve the pain associated with labour and it also helps lessen the duration of the contractions.
Consuming fenugreek during pregnancy can also help stabilise sugar levels.
Fenugreek is a natural fortifier for the immune system as well as a system cleanser. Eating fenugreek can help combat heart disease, lung disorder, influenza, and various allergies.
How Much Fenugreek Seeds Should You Eat During Pregnancy?
There are numerous ways in which fenugreek can help your body when you are pregnant, but you must include them in your diet in small to medium quantities. Fenugreek seeds, when consumed in moderation can greatly boost your immune system. It can help prevent allergies and keep you healthy. It is also a great ingredient to help boost your metabolic rate. Here is how you can them in your diet.
You can soak a teaspoon of the seeds in a glass of water overnight, strain and drink the water in the morning. Alternatively, you can incorporate the same amount in your meals. Another option is to swallow the seeds with water as is. The effect of the seeds will be slower in this case. You must also remember that you can use fenugreek leaves in your diet. A fistful of clean leaves a day is the daily recommended amount you can consume.
Tips to Include Fenugreek in Your Pregnancy Diet
Here are some ways in which you can include fenugreek or fenugreek seeds in your pregnancy diet.
While preparing food, particularly Indian food, be sure to add half a teaspoon of this spice in the tadka. This way your food becomes more flavourful while also giving you the benefits.
You can make curry with fenugreek leaves or methi. However, don’t make the food spicy. You can add some jaggery to tone down the bitterness.
Use the leaves along with spinach or lettuce to make a serving of salad every day. This will keep your stomach light and refreshed.
Soak a handful of fenugreek seeds in some water overnight, swallow the seeds, and drink the water for a hydrating and nutritionally rich start to the day.
Blend a handful of strawberries, chia seeds, honey, yoghurt, and fenugreek seeds for a power smoothie to help keep you energized throughout the day.
Soak the seeds in water overnight and use the water as a base for a soup the next day. Powder the soaked seeds and the powder to the broth, add veggies, meat, and seasoning and let it simmer. This can be a light dinner with an extremely high nutritional value.
Powder some fenugreek seeds and add the powder to a glass of watermelon juice. Squeeze some lime into it to make a mocktail that tasty and energizing.
Mix flax seeds, fenugreek seeds, coriander powder, and turmeric in a glass of warm milk and drink. This can provide relief from a sore throat and cold.
Grate some ginger and garlic, mix it with a couple of teaspoons of water, put it on a simmer and mix till it reaches a paste-like consistency, add fenugreek seeds, chives, rosemary and thyme to create a unique barbeque marinade for meat or fish.
Side Effects of Consuming Fenugreek Seeds During Pregnancy
While consuming fenugreek can be beneficial for your health during pregnancy, it can pose certain risks to your health too. Some of the side effects that may arise on the consumption of fenugreek during pregnancy are stated below.
Fenugreek seeds are known to induce contractions, hence it is advised to consume the during labour. So it is best that you avoid eating them before the 37th week as it could lead to premature labour.
Sometimes, consuming fenugreek seeds can also cause bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and nausea.
Some people are naturally allergic to fenugreek. If you are one of them then you might experience reactions like swelling, nasal congestion, and wheezing.
Consumption of fenugreek seeds in excess amounts can lead to birth defects in the baby.
Consuming fenugreek seeds just before labour may cause the baby to have unusual body odour. However, this odour does not have any long-term effects on the baby’s health.
Eating fenugreek seeds during pregnancy can be beneficial for your health but it can even lead to certain complications, especially if you eat them before the 37th week of your pregnancy. Consuming the seeds or leaves in small quantities can strengthen your immune system and help prevent allergies, but you should consult your doctor before adding fenugreek seeds or leaves to your diet. If your doctor gives a go-ahead, you can add it to your diet but you must watch out for any signs of allergy. In case of an allergic reaction, contact your doctor right away. Consult a dietician for a better idea of how much fenugreek you may require on a regular basis and what nutritional requirements your body has in particular.
Also Read: Sesame Seeds In Pregnancy: Nutrition Facts, Health Benefits & More Read more
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Common Questions Toddlers Ask Repeatedly
When toddlers ask questions, parents often find it difficult to answer them. Also repeating the same question can be quite annoying at times. Find out what secrets lie beneath the incessant questioning by toddlers.
Your joy knows no bounds when your toddler learns to converse with you. When he starts answering your questions, this is half the battle won. But, answering questions is just not enough. You also need to make sure that your tot asks questions correctly.
When Do Children Start Asking Questions - Gauging the Right Age
Child experts believe that most toddlers start asking simple questions like "What is that" by the time they are 18-months-old. However, the question might not be correctly framed. The child may just ask "That?"Questions like "what", "where" and "who" emerge by the time the toddler is 32-months-old. Questions like "how", "when" and "why" are a tad more complex and the tot would more likely ask these only by the time he turns 3-years-old.
1. How Many Questions does a Child ask in a Day
Your toddler has a curious mind and so there is no limit to the number of questions that he may ask you in a day. Sometimes, the questions may be repeated too. However, studies have revealed that on an average a toddler can ask about 100 to 300 questions in a day.
2. Toddlers Asking Questions- Framing It Right
You would find that initially your toddler may not frame questions right. He may just say "water" when he is asking for water or "daddy" when he wants to know about his father. This is quite normal. However, it's important that you put in some effort to help him frame the questions the right way. You can do these by putting questions of your own like asking "where is daddy" or "what is that", and questions during play time like "where is your doll?"
3. Why Toddlers Keep Repeating Questions
Parents often complain about having to repeat the answer umpteen times a day. However, don't let this get to you. Your toddler repeats a question because his memory is still developing and he doesn't remember the answer for long. Experts believe that sometimes toddlers repeat questions just because they need to connect with their parents but don't know how to.
4. Questions Children Ask and How to Answer them
The questions put up by toddlers are generally very mundane. They inquire about the things they see around them. They may also ask about their father or siblings. Sometimes, they may also put questions to express their bodily needs like when they are hungry or thirsty. All you need to do is be forthcoming with the answers and be patient if the child doesn't follow them immediately.
5. Why Do Children Ask So Many Questions
Your toddler is busy exploring his surroundings and is curious about the different things that he sees around him. Most of his questions arise from the need to fulfill his curiosity. He may ask questions to grab your attention. Since you put a lot of questions to your toddler, he will also mimic you. Read more
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Melatonin for Kids - An Overview
Our body has its own mechanism to regulate active and resting patterns throughout the day. At the end of the day, our body cycle releases certain hormones that induce sleep and help us wake up the next day, well-rested. However, some people have trouble falling asleep due to various reasons. In kids, this onset of insomnia may cause developmental delays and growth problems. Also, lack of sleep can become detrimental as it can affect their attention and learning ability at school.
If you have tried just about everything to no avail, including a change of behavioural strategies, you may now be considering giving your child a dose of melatonin. In such cases, it is necessary to be well-informed and know all the facts and figures about melatonin.
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body, specifically in the pineal gland that is meant to regulate sleep. The hormone regulates sleep patterns in accordance with the circadian rhythm based on exposure to light and darkness. The amount of melatonin rises in the body during the night and decreases around the morning, contributing to the sleep-wake cycle.
When the pineal gland is unable to produce melatonin, the child’s sleep may no longer follow a 24-hour clockwork and bring in the need for melatonin supplements.
Is Melatonin Safe For Children?
Melatonin, when used in moderate dosages for a short-term and prescribed by a professional physician, is safe for children. However, there has been no relevant research made about the long-term use of melatonin in children. Certain studies have noticed that, when used in animals, melatonin caused a delay in puberty; however, there is no evidence to prove the claim in humans.
Melatonin Uses For Kids
Children with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, ADHD, or visual impairment, who have trouble falling asleep can benefit from melatonin. For children with anxiety who have trouble sleeping, other methods should be considered before settling on synthetic melatonin.
Melatonin supplements only induce sleep and do not offer confirmed continued sleep. Also, children who cannot sleep due to light emitting devices will not be benefited from melatonin, as these devices are known to suppress melatonin.
When Your Child Should Take Melatonin
It is best to give your child melatonin about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. A surge in melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime can help induce sleep effectively. You may also want to try out different timings to see what works best for your kid.
Melatonin Dosage For Children
Depending on the nature of your kid’s condition, the dose may vary from 0.5mg to 6mg. Most children respond to as little as 0.5mg of melatonin. Even for kids with recurrent problems falling asleep, you will not need more than 3 to 6mg of the melatonin tablet. There is the option of liquid melatonin for kids. Consult your paediatrician to determine the right amount of melatonin based on your child’s needs.
What If You Give Melatonin Overdose?
An overdose of melatonin in kids may result in nausea, dizziness, headache, irritability, anxiety, and diarrhoea. Excessive use of melatonin can also affect the circadian rhythm of the child.
When To Avoid Melatonin?
Avoid melatonin usage in kids if they:
Are younger than three years old
Have insomnia that is caused due to anxiety or situational reasons, like school, exams, etc.
If the insomnia is caused due to physical or medical conditions like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, etc.
If the insomnia is due to short-term reason like ill-health, ear-infection, etc.
Have bleeding disorders, or conditions like diabetes, depression, seizures, and high blood pressure
It is always recommended that you try out all the other methods to treat insomnia, like a change in diet, lifestyle, activities and behavioural patterns before giving melatonin to the kids.
Side-Effects Of Melatonin
While melatonin is a natural supplement, it can cause the following side-effects:
Drowsiness throughout the day
Irritability
Headache
Lower body temperature
Visual imagery or vivid dreams
Depression
Stomach pain
These side effects usually occur when a high dose of melatonin is given to the child.
Melatonin Supplements
Natural melatonin supplements are available for children in 1mg dosages in a chewable format. It is advised to consult a doctor before administering melatonin supplements to children.
Which Foods Are Rich In Melatonin?
Melatonin can be supplemented in children using food items for more natural methods of boosting melatonin.
Tryptophan is an amino acid which gets converted to serotonin, before converting to melatonin that induces sleep. Some of the food items rich in tryptophan are:
Lean meat like chicken and turkey
Dairy products like milk, cheese, low-fat yogurt
Seafood like sardines, shrimp, cod, salmon, etc.
Seeds and nuts like almonds, peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, etc.
Legumes such as chickpeas and kidney beans
Fruits like avocados, apples, peaches, bananas, etc.
Green vegetables like spinach, asparagus, broccoli, turnip greens, etc.
Grains such as rice, wheat, barley, oats, etc.
Calcium-rich foods like okra, soybeans can also help the brain make melatonin
Vitamin B6 in pistachio nuts, dried prunes can convert tryptophan into melatonin
Warm milk, peppermint tea, chamomile tea, passion fruit tea can also help to improve sleep patterns
Ensure that you avoid giving your kids caffeine products or heavy meals before bed to prevent any disturbance to their sleep.
Melatonin supplements, when used in moderate dosages, are safe for children. However, it is important that you reach out to a seasoned paediatrician to determine how much melatonin to give a child. Also, before getting melatonin supplements for your child, ensure to try out alternative measures to promote sleep. Identify the root cause of insomnia and treat it accordingly.
Only if all methods fail to give satisfactory results, reach out to a doctor and get a prescription for melatonin.
Also Read:
Effective Tips to Make Your Kids Sleep Fast
How Much Sleep Do Children Need
Sleep Disorders in Kids Read more
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Pears + Prunes + Cloves (Constipation Cure Puree)
Pears + Prunes + Cloves (Constipation Cure Puree)
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
1 People
10 Minutes
10 Minutes
Ingredients
2 pears, cored and chopped
4 dried prunes, pitted
1 cup hot water
1/8 tsp (teaspoon) cloves
Method
Step 1
Fill a medium-sized sauce pan with 2 inches of water, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Step 2
Place the pears in a steamer basket or a stainless steel sieve over the boiling water, and cover for 10 minutes or until tender. Let cool slightly.
Step 3
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, soak the prunes in hot water, and keep aside for 10 minutes. Drain.
Step 4
Add the pears, prunes and cloves into blender or food processor and puree until smooth, add water from the steamer (1/4 cup at a time), if needed.
Read more
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. 11Weeks on going and the problem is continuously vomiting, body&headache pain.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. please check the temperature can be a viral infection. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why are my vomitings not stopping even in 5th month of my pregnancy. and constant headaches.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
54 mins ago
A. this is seen in some people which my continue in second trimester also. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. is it normal to have 2 dominant follicles in Right ovary? Today is my D8 and the size of both the follicles are 20x18mm and 19x18 mm Is it normal.
and left ovary follicles 12x18mm.and ET size 7.89
pls advice
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
54 mins ago
A. if it is induced one then there can be chances. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
35 mins ago
Q. what should I eat for a healthy baby in my 3rd month of pregnancy.kindly suggest a healthy diet routine
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
32 mins ago
A. Whole grains — like brown rice, millet, oatmeal, bulgur, and whole-wheat bread. Proteins — like lean meats and chicken, eggs, seafood, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and tofu. Low-fat or fat-free dairy — like milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free dairy, and fortified soy beverages (soy milk) or soy yogurt.
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
28 mins ago
Q. in which month of pregnancy we should start excercising for normal delivery
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
14 mins ago
A. no exercises vigorously only moderate walking ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
20 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
I am 28 weeks pregnant and feeling breathlessness and Always tired ... is this normal ?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
13 mins ago
A. this cannot be normal always better to see the doctor once. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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