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Eating Bananas During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting time for a woman but making healthy choices during this time is crucial. If you are pregnant, you must eat healthy foods to ensure that your baby gets the right nutrition for his proper growth and development. You should include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as they are full of essential nutrients and are packed with fibre. They provide the baby with minerals and vitamins necessary for his growth. One such healthy, tasty, and nutritious fruit that you should consider including in your diet is banana. Banana is a tropical fruit and contains essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and dietary fibre. Find out how eating bananas can help you during pregnancy.
Is it Good to Eat Bananas During Pregnancy?
Bananas are a rich source of carbohydrates, dietary fibre, essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex, and minerals like manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper, and selenium. All these nutrients help in the healthy development of the foetus during pregnancy. Eating bananas can also provide relief from some of the complications that arise in pregnancy and can be beneficial for the health of both the mother and the baby.
Benefits of Eating Bananas During Pregnancy
Fruits are healthy and should be a part of diet especially during pregnancy. Some of the benefits of eating bananas during pregnancy are mentioned below.
Provides Relief From Vomiting and Nausea
Bananas are a rich source of Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine. Vitamin B6 can cure nausea and morning sickness. Hence, eating bananas, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy is particularly recommended to women.
Helps Lower the Risk of Oedema
Many pregnant women experience oedema or water retention in the second and third trimesters of their pregnancies. Oedema can lead to swelling of the ankles, feet, and other joints. If you notice swelling in the joints or ankle, avoid consuming salty foods and include banana in your diet; it will help lower the swelling.
Gives a Quick Energy Boost
Bananas are high in carbohydrates as they contain simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose that can be metabolised quickly by the body to provide an immediate energy boost. During the last trimester of pregnancy, eating bananas can give you a quick energy boost. So, keep this fruit handy. Eating bananas will even help you fight fatigue and increase your energy levels.
Lowers the Chances of Birth Defects in the Baby
Bananas are a good source of folate, which is necessary for the development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Eating bananas during pregnancy improves folate levels in the body thus lowering the chances of folate deficiency, which is known to cause birth defects in the baby.
Help in the Development of the Baby's Nervous System
Bananas are a rich source of the water-soluble Vitamin B6, which is necessary for the development of the central nervous system of the baby. Thus, regular consumption of bananas in the first trimester of pregnancy can prove beneficial for his brain development too.
Provides Relief From Constipation
Bananas contain a high amount of dietary fibre, which helps in stimulating the bowel movements and reduce bloating in the stomach caused by gas. A medium-sized banana contains about 6 grams of fibre. Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy and that's why eating this easily available fruit can help. Eating bananas can improve bowel movements, thus providing relief from constipation.
Helps Maintain Blood Pressure
Bananas are a rich source of potassium. It is an essential mineral that controls blood pressure levels in the body. You can include banana in your diet and prevent fluctuations in your blood pressure levels.
Helps Prevent Acidity and Heartburn
Eating bananas can help protect the stomach and oesophageal walls from gastric acid. Acidity and heartburn are a common problem during pregnancy. Eating bananas during this time can keep acidity and heartburn at bay. It can also aid digestion.
Helps in the Bone Development
Bananas are an excellent source of calcium, which is necessary for the development of bones in both the baby and the mother. Calcium is also necessary for the regulation of muscle contraction in the body so include this fruit in your pregnancy diet.
Helps Maintain Healthy Skin
Bananas are a good source of Vitamin C. This vitamin, also called ascorbic acid, is essential for the absorption of iron in the body. It also helps in the growth of bones, repairing tissues, and maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and helps fight infections. Eating bananas during pregnancy can give the baby and the mother-to-be with all the benefits of Vitamin C.
Are There Any Harmful Effects of Consuming Bananas During Pregnancy?
Bananas are absolutely safe for consumption during pregnancy. They contain plenty of nutrients which have several health benefits for both the mother and the baby. However, they should be consumed in moderation. Bananas are sugary fruit, and eating them in excessive amounts and not maintaining proper hygiene practices can lead to tooth decay.
Women with gestational diabetes should also not consume too many bananas as they can cause sugar levels to increase rapidly. If you are pregnant and have gestational diabetes, it is suggested that you consult your doctor about eating bananas.
Pregnant women who are allergic to bananas should also avoid eating bananas. Bananas contain chitinase, which is an allergen that causes the latex-fruit syndrome. This group includes other fruits like kiwis and avocados, which should also be consumed after checking with a doctor.
Precautions to Take While Eating Bananas During Pregnancy
It is best to consume bananas that are fresh and clean. Avoid eating bananas that have been lying around for days, are overripe or have turned black. Also make sure to consult your doctor about including bananas in your diet, especially if you are allergic or suffer from gestational diabetes.
How to Include Bananas in Your Diet
You can include bananas in your pregnancy diet in one or more of the following ways given below.
Banana Smoothie: Having a smoothie or banana milkshake in pregnancy is a great way to include the fruit in your diet. Blend a ripe banana with some strawberries and low-fat milk to make a tasty smoothie.
Banana Oatmeal: Add some chopped bananas, oatmeal, and nuts like almonds in yoghurt and enjoy. It can be enjoyed as breakfast. Banana oatmeal is high in fibre, carbohydrates, and minerals and can give you an energy boost.
Banana Chips: You can have banana chips during pregnancy when you have a craving to munch on something. However, banana chips are usually deep-fried and salty. You can make a healthy, oil-free version by using low sodium salt and baking instead of frying.
Whole Fruit - If you don't want to make anything, just eat the whole banana. You will get the maximum health benefits from it by eating the whole fruit.
FAQs
1. Can You Eat Red Bananas During Pregnancy?
Red bananas are absolutely safe to eat during pregnancy. They are similar to yellow bananas in nutritional content and they also help improve lactation.
2. How Many Bananas Can I Eat Daily?
Bananas, like anything else, should be consumed in moderation. You can eat 1 to 2 medium-sized bananas in a day. However, make sure to consult a doctor before including them in your diet and also ask how much you should eat.
Bananas are an excellent source of essential nutrients for pregnant women and have several health benefits for both the baby and the mother. So go ahead and enjoy that banana smoothie or a whole banana! However, make sure you talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet during pregnancy.
Also Read: Foods to Eat During Pregnancy for Healthy Baby Read more
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Using Baking Soda During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?
During pregnancy, you have to be extremely careful about the kind of foods you consume. Even a tiny amount of something can harm your baby. If you're wondering whether you can eat foods made with baking soda during pregnancy, keep reading.
Is Baking Soda Safe During Pregnancy?
Heartburn is a common problem during pregnancy, which is mainly due to the hormones in your body at this stage. To counter heartburn, can baking soda help? The quantity of baking soda has to be measured carefully and you have to ensure that the powder has dissolved completely before you consume the same. However, there are diverse opinions about its safety so it’s best to speak to your doctor before you use it. You can consider the below-mentioned points regarding baking soda to make an informed decision.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Baking Soda During Pregnancy
For pregnant women, baking soda has upsides as well as downsides. Here are a few of them:
Advantages
There is no evidence of any negative impact of sodium bicarbonate on the unborn child. The advantages of using baking soda are:
Baking soda is highly effective against acids that your pregnant body produces thus giving relief from heartburn.
Baking soda reacts with stomach acid and produces harmless elements like water, carbon dioxide, and common salt.
For severe acidity, baking soda is highly effective. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in half a cup of water. Mix it thoroughly before drinking it.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of using baking soda are:
Since baking soda contains sodium, it encourages water retention in the body. Due to this property, a low sodium diet is recommended for those who get swollen feet during pregnancy.
Although baking soda is a great antacid and reduces heartburn, if you have oedema, it can aggravate the problem.
If sodium bicarbonate is given in the form of an injection, it can lead to skin irritation.
Baking Soda in Food Products
Baking soda is used as a leavening agent in cakes, cookies, pancakes and a few kinds of bread. It doesn't have any harmful effects on the body or the baby when used in limited quantity and mixed with other ingredients. You can go ahead and use baking soda as long as you don’t eat baked products daily.
Baking Soda As a Cleaning Agent
During pregnancy, you should be careful of the cleaning agent you use. Baking soda can be safely used to clean surfaces even when you're pregnant.
You can handle baking soda without worrying about its effects. It causes no harm when it interacts with your skin.
You can use it by spreading the powder on rugs and carpets before you put it out in the sun or before vacuuming it.
Tabletops and kitchen platforms can look sparkling clean by using a paste of baking soda and water.
However, its use should be limited.
The impact baking soda has on your health entirely depends on how frequently you eat or use it. If used sparingly, it's quite safe.
Also Read: Apple Cider Vinegar during Pregnancy Read more
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10 Ways to Hide Your Pregnancy Before Announcing to Everyone
How to hide your pregnancy during the first trimester? Most women want to keep the secret due to fear of miscarriage or complications at work. As you find yourself walking a tightrope between wanting to make a loud announcement and keeping the secret about the bun in the oven, here are some tips to hide a pregnancy from friends and family.
How to Hide your Pregnancy?
You are desperate to tell everyone and want every bit of advice that people will have to offer. But you are not ready yet. If you are worried about how to hide pregnancy at work, just use these ten tips to disguise and mask your pregnancy symptoms- be it fatigue, morning sickness or even that visible glow on your face. You don’t want to be scrutinised about your activities, clothes or mood swings. Whatever be the reasons, here are a few tips to hide your baby bump until you are ready to spill the beans.
1. Know Your Bump
How long can I hide my pregnancy is a question that will definitely plague you as you will only get bigger by the day. You don’t have to worry about it in the first trimester when the hormones cause bloating relaxing your stomach muscles. But this may make you look like you have gained a few pounds. So if your close ones question you about your body shape, just say that you have gained a bit of weight as you are not exercising anymore. It will hardly be noticed and pondered about.
2. Avoid Fitted Clothes
It is a good idea to ditch those well-fitted clothes which could highlight your bloated belly or bump. Stick to clothes that cascade and seem fitted to the body at the same time. Stay safe with tunics which match any silhouette. Wearing loose fitted clothes could help you hide your pregnancy longer and confuse people whose curiosity is piqued! Re-vamp your wardrobe with clothes that are a size or two bigger than your normal ones so that you can wear them throughout your pregnancy.
3. Accessorize
Accessories could help shift focus from your body shape to your style statement. Accessories serve as styling tools that draw attention away from the main point of focus. Bigger earrings, hoops, large chains, chokers embellished in stone or gems could drift the attention from the slightly visible bump. Invest in big bags that could fit all your essential for pregnancy and also hide the bump. People will be envying your bag than concentrating on your belly. Large bags can camouflage the belly successfully.
4. Scarfs and Stoles
A great way to camouflage your condition, scarfs and stoles could just give you the perfect lean, svelte and taller look you probably have been always longing for. Throw an oversized length for glamour and don’t wrap it too much. The Indian dupatta is a perfect add-on. You can also opt for dark slimming colours like black or blue. You could also try the ornate ones or floral printed ones to garner compliments.
5. Detox Diet
You are not taking those tea and coffee breaks at work anymore and people are smelling a rat. Well, with fitness food flooding the market with several options you can always say that you are on a detoxifying diet. Use the “I am on a detox” excuse when sipping on herbal or green tea. A great way to help you get rid of pregnancy symptoms and not have people digging deep into the issue.
6. Drinking
You are at an office party or at a friend’s for a weekend and not drinking. It will definitely raise eyebrows! Well, first you can always offer to be officially designated driver for the evening. If that does not work then just order a cranberry and soda (personally at the bar). Last, if nothing works, then just say you have to be somewhere really early the next morning and cannot afford to have a hangover.
7. Disguise Your Medical Visits
You have a number of gynaecologist visits and scans lined up and you are worried about your disappearance raising suspicions at work. Well, don’t say you are going to visit the doctor. Just tell your senior you have some major dental issues that need to be sorted over a series of appointments. A valid excuse that cannot be denied and seems plausible too.
8. Excusing Yourself to the Loo
You have the constant urge to pee with an expanding bladder and also the morning sickness seems to be driving you crazy. You need to find some tricks to avoid those suspicious glances from your co-workers. Just say you have the stomach flu, bladder infection or that you are practising water therapy to release toxins from your body. Try and time your loo breaks so that people will know you have a clocked routine to be more effective at work.
9. Conceal Your Mood Swings
Pregnancy is accompanied with the emotional roller coaster of mood swings. So if your colleagues see you weeping in the corner or generally irritable for no reason, just say that you are under some personal stress lately. It could prove helpful with some comfort and solace being offered by friends and relatives. You need emotional support to go through the new phase and all the help pouring in from all counts could never be unwelcome.
10. Explanations for those Cravings and Aversions
This one is difficult to hide because you simply cannot stand few odours and would feel like disappearing from the room. There is nothing more you can do than excuse yourself by saying that you have suddenly developed an aversion to a few things. It could raise a few eyebrows! But you could always say that you developed them after bad flu or stomach infection that you had last. If you are craving for a particular food then simply announce that you are yearning to have it and you may find everyone around drooling and joining the fun.
It is only you who can make the decision of when you want to announce the good news and choose the perfect timing and setting. Until then, hopefully, these tips will help you succeed in hiding your pregnancy. There is a lot more you can do to distract the attention of people. Try all that you think seems right and sensible and happy hiding until then.
Also Read:
First Trimester Diet
First Trimester Care in Pregnancy
Precautions to Take during Pregnancy First Trimester
Can Sex during First Trimester Cause Miscarriage Read more
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10 Hobbies Every Woman Should Try in Her 30s
Sitting around watching TV or spending hours on social media has become the way most people spend their free time these days. Doing this now and then is alright, but most of our free time should be spent doing something productive that we also find soothing and relaxing. Technology didn’t always exist and people who had free time developed hobbies to fill their time. Hobbies can be anything like dancing and reading, and as long as it helps make you feel relaxed and satisfied at the end of it, it is something worth having.
10 Hobbies to Help You Relax and Have Fun
There are so many things that women in their 30s can do to keep themselves entertained, so if you are confused, here are some hobbies that will be able to help you relax and have fun:
1. Gardening
Gardening is more than just watering plants to keep them alive; it includes learning how to plant your own seeds and nurture them. Not just that, there are also many different types of gardens that you can look into growing. Flower gardens, vegetable gardens, herb gardens and others are some available options. Some enjoy being able to grow their own vegetables and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when they can serve their family something they have worked very hard to grow.
2. Cooking and Baking
Some women enjoy baking, some cooking and some enjoy both. Whatever you prefer doing in the kitchen, consider it your passion and turn it into an art. Cooking and baking are great hobbies for housewives as they have a bit more time to look for recipes and give themselves challenges. Turing this into a hobby means that you can share delicious cakes and sweets with your family as well.
3. Needlework
If you don’t already know how to stitch, you can take some beginners courses and see if it is something that interests you. Getting into embroidery or knitting are other options that you have if you want to learn how to work a needle or two. This is one hobby that will come in handy for every time your child needs to have a costume. You can also make warm sweaters for your child to bear the cold winters.
4. Writing and Blogging
Sometimes it is just easier to relax after writing your heart out. It can be writing something private like a journal, or it can be a blog that you have created. If you wonder what your blogs should be about, you can always blog about one of your hobbies or simply anything that you like. It can even be a blog where you share your opinion about certain things. Feel free to be you and get creative.
5. Art
Another way to express yourself creatively is to get into art and opt for something like sketching or painting. There are different types of art that you can get into, like sculpting, pottery, basket weaving, wood carvings and more. Pick what suits you best and keep at it. You can take classes to learn a particular art form, or you can experiment at home with your own materials.
6. Reading
Reading is a hobby shared by many, and it is something that has helped bring relaxation to the minds of people. Whether you enjoy reading educational or informative topics or simply like sinking into a good novel, reading is a great way to spend your time. No matter what you read, you always learn something new from it.
7. Jewellery Making
If you have an eye for jewellery and enjoy coming up with your own different combinations when visiting the shop, you can always try making your own jewellery. Jewellery making is an art in itself, and you can make jewellery with beads or anything that you like. Again, this is your way of expressing yourself so do what suits you. Enrol in classes or experiment with different techniques yourself at home.
8. Photography
Some people have an eye for beauty, and if that sounds like you, you may want to look into photography as a hobby. You can get yourself a good camera and start taking pictures. Once you find your style, you will also figure out what your favourite subjects are. You can photograph anything such as street life, animals, people, portraits, etc.
9. Dancing
With so many different dance styles in the world, it shouldn’t be a challenge for you to pick something that suits you and go for classes to learn it in more detail. If you are the type to enjoy going out dancing, this one will be a really good hobby for you. Not to mention all the energy you will spend learning all those dance moves and the workout you will get.
10. Music and Singing
You may have always wanted to learn to play an instrument, or you may have wanted to be able to sing better. If your heart has always been for music, go for it. Either learn an instrument or go for singing classes. Even if you think you cannot sing, you will be taught exercises that will help your vocal cords get into shape for singing. Learning to play an instrument is also something that can calm you at the end of the day. Just because you are a mum, it does not mean that you cannot learn a new skill.
As a woman, you may have many responsibilities in life; that of a wife, mother, daughter and also employee. Sometimes everything can get overwhelming and can lead to feeling like you are stuck in a rut, especially since the little free time might involve checking your social media or just lazing around in front of the laptop watching Netflix.
The decision to cultivate your hobbies to spend your free time productively is something you should seriously consider. There are many more options to choose from, like fostering animals in need, travelling or playing a particular sport; so don’t hesitate to start something new. You and everyone else in your life will be happier for you.
Also Read:
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यह है छोटे बच्चों को रात को सुलाने का बेहतरीन तरीका-
ऐसे कौन से माता-पिता है, जो नहीं चाहते कि उनका बच्चा रात को जल्दी सोए ताकि वह भी जल्दी सो सकें। ज्यादातर ऐसा मां चाहती है कि उसका बच्चा रात को सोए और इसके लिए वह कई प्रयास भी करती है ताकि बच्चा रात को परेशान ना हो। मगर फिर भी कई बच्चे रात में बार-बार उठते हैं, कुछ बच्चे रात को लेट सोते हैं।
यदि आप भी इस दौर सेेे गुजर रहे हैं, तो आप यह आर्टिकल पूरा पढ़े, हो सकता है कि यह आपके लिए सहकारी हो। इस आर्टिकल के जरिए मैं आपको हल बताने जा रही हूं जो कि शायद आपकी समस्या को दूर कर दे। एक मां होने के नाते मैं भी इस समस्या का सामना कर चुकी हूं, जब मेरी बेटी 2 महीनेे की थी तब वह भी रात को बार-बाार जागती थी, कई बार वह पूरी-पूरी रात नहीं सोती थी।
एक सुबह उसकी मालिश करते हुए, मैंने यह सोचा कि क्यों ना यह मालिश मैं रात को करूं? मैं उसी रात 9:30 बजे के करीब उसकी मालिश करने लग गई और करीब 10:35 तक उसकी मालिश करती रही। मालिश करने के बाद मैंने उसको गर्म दूध दिया, जिसके आधे घंटे के बाद वह सो गई और आप यकीन मानिएगा कि वह पूरी रात चैन से सोती रही। यहां तक कि दूध पीने के लिए भी नहीं उठी। सुबह 7:00 बजे उठकर मैंने उसे दूध पिलाया। उसके बाद वह 10:00 बजे के करीब उठी। यह देखकर मैं रोजाना उसकी मालिश रात में करने लगी और ऐसे करते-करते उसकी रूटीन बन गई और मैं आज तक उसकी मालिश रात को करके उसे सुलाती हूं जबकि अब तो वह 2 साल की होने वाली है।
यदि आप भी यह तरीका अपनाती है, तो मौसम को ध्यान में जरूर रखिए। ठंड केेे मौसम में कमरा बंंद करके मालिश करेंं बच्चेे के पूरे कपड़े न उतारे आधे-आधे कर उसकी मालिश करें। गर्मी मैंं आप बच्चे के पूरे कपड़े उतार सकते हैं। मगर इस बात का ध्यान रखें कि पंखा कूलर या AC बिल्कुल बंंद होना चाहिए।
गर्मी में आप देसी घी या कोई बेबी मसाज आयल इस्तेमाल कर सकते हैं और सर्दी में आप बादाम का तेल इस्तेमाल कर सकते हैं। ऐसा करने से बच्चेे की सेहत भी अच्छी होती है और बच्चा एक्टिव रहता है। Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
11 hours ago
Q. #AskTheExpert hello dr.
baby planning kar rhi kuch tips btayiye conceive ho jaye
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
11 hours ago
A. it's a natural process 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 Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. when baby is kick? I'm 13 weeks pregnant
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
9 hours ago
A. during first pregnancy you may feel the baby movements after 24 to 25 weeks of pregnancy and till then only mild flatters may be felt but which you may not be feeling if you are doing some work
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
9 hours ago
Q. I’m in my 31 week 1 day of pregnancy. What will be my delivery date??
As I have low lying placenta with grade 1 maturity.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. you had to correlate is ultrasound examination. 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
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
9 hours ago
Q. My hemoglobin is 6.4 from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Now I’m 31 weeks pregnant. What should I do?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
8 hours ago
A. Haven’t when you having some kind of iron supplement because they’re very good during the time of pregnancy if you are not having one you need to start with and whatever tabs you take you should just take it with any good juice specially pomegranate juice that’s going to help in doubling the impact of the medicine that you’re taking secondly try and include more of Iron which diet like spinach broccoli beetroot pomegranate black rice sweet potato these things are exceptionally healthy for you to consume
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
8 hours ago
Q. This is my cbc report
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
8 hours ago
A. No there is nothing visible on my wall so I can really really cannot help you can you please repose the question once again providing all the necessary details as once I’m certain what are you talking about what’s mentioned in the report according to that I can provide you proper help on your question
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
now I'm 24 weeks. Sometimes I'm feeling pain in my thigh.
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
6 hours ago
A. For thegh query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Onlfine consultation can also be taken and the expert will give you the proper answer .
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