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Eating Cake during Pregnancy - Is It Safe?
Most women have unusual food cravings at some point during their pregnancy. These cravings can range from certain spicy foods to some inedible items to irresistible sweets too. If you are craving sweets, then at some point you will be tempted to eat cakes or pastries, won't you? Cakes are simply hard to say no to! But can you eat cakes or pastries during pregnancy? Read this article to find out!
Can a Pregnant Woman Eat Cakes?
You can enjoy one or two pieces of cake once in a while during pregnancy as eating in moderation won't harm you or your baby. But you must avoid binge eating cakes or any other food item during pregnancy as it might affect your health.
You must eat healthy foods during pregnancy as a well-balanced diet will ensure that your baby gets all the nutrients required for his growth. The bouts of morning sickness can also take a toll on your body, so you eat nutritious foods and drink a lot of water. Having one or two pieces of cake is fine but you must know that cakes do not offer any nutritional value and satisfy the hunger for a short period of time. So it is best avoided.
Why Should You Not Eat Cakes During Pregnancy?
While cakes, be it a chocolate cake or vanilla cake, taste delicious, they may not do any good for your health, especially during pregnancy. Eating cakes can pose a risk to your health. Here is why you should avoid eating cakes during pregnancy.
1. Cakes May Contain Bacteria
While pregnant, your immune system will be weak, so you must avoid eating anything that may lead to an infection. Even if the cake is a homemade one, there is a high chance that it might contain bacteria like salmonella, E.coli, Toxoplasma and many more. If any of these bacteria enter your body, it can lead to severe complications. The batter can sometimes form a breeding ground for bacteria. Hence, you must avoid eating cake during pregnancy.
2. Eating Cakes May Lead to Unhealthy Weight Gain
Yes, you need to gain weight during pregnancy but that weight gain should happen from healthy and nutritious foods. Eating cakes, pastries, or other junk food will offer you empty calories which will result in unhealthy and excessive weight gain during pregnancy, and make your pregnancy journey difficult, so they are best avoided. You can enjoy a piece of chocolate-walnut cake served at your baby shower, but resist the temptation to reach for the second piece. Also, avoid cakes that have saccharin in them as it can cross the placenta and affect the foetus. Stick to a healthy diet - eat foods that contribute to healthy weight gain and promote your baby's growth.
3. Cakes May Contain Alcohol
Some cakes may contain alcohol such as rum in them that may not be safe for the health of your baby. Even though it is believed that cooking neutralises any alcohol content in the cake, but it is not entirely true. Alcohol enhances the flavour of cakes, but it can cross the placenta and lead to complications in the baby. It could result in premature delivery and birth defects, so if you are planning to eat a piece of cake that has alcohol in it, think about your baby and do not give in to your temptation.
4. Cakes May Contain Unhealthy Supplements
Instant cake mix available in the market and store-bought cakes may contain unhealthy supplements in the form of added flavour or taste enhancers, which might harm your baby.
Cakes That You Can Try During Pregnancy
If you have a sweet tooth and you love eating cakes, then you can enjoy them once in a while. However, we suggest that you opt for healthier versions and consume them in limited amounts too. Mentioned below are some cakes that you can try during pregnancy.
1. Angel Food Cake
Angel food cakes have no fat content in them and can satisfy your sweet cravings. This cake is made with stiffly beaten egg whites instead of butter. It has a light, fluffy texture, so there is no harm in eating it in moderation.
2. Dark Chocolate Cake
Dark chocolates and unsweetened cocoa contain antioxidants, which can prove to be beneficial for your health during pregnancy. So you can eat a piece or two of this cake while pregnant. However, make sure that the cake you buy or make has no alcohol content in it.
3. Yoghurt Cake
Yoghurt is an essential part of the diet of a pregnant woman since it contains dietary calcium, protein and good bacteria which can help in better digestion. You can make a cake using yoghurt, but make sure that it is consumed quickly as yoghurt cake may get spoiled soon and become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Things to Remember While Eating Cakes During Pregnancy
Here are some things regarding the consumption of cakes you should take into consideration during pregnancy.
Many people think eating cakes with eggs in them can harm the baby, but that is not true. Eggs are not harmful to the baby, so you can consume a cake that has eggs in it. However, do check that there are no added preservatives in it apart from the eggs, as they could prove to be harmful to the baby.
If you do want to indulge in cakes, we suggest that you eat homemade cake, instead of eating store-bought cake.
If you do not want to make one at home and plan to buy the cake from a bakery, ask about the nutritional composition and general ingredients used in the cake.
Consuming cakes in small quantities will not harm you or your baby, but you should make sure that your quantity does not exceed. Better yet, consult your nutritionist or a doctor before eating it and stay safe!
Also Read: Eating Ice-cream while Pregnant Read more
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Your Baby This Week : 2 Month Week 3 Old
Now is a great time to introduce your baby to sitters or other people who may be looking after him later on. Have a potential caregiver to come over and spend some time with you and your baby. Later on, he may be consumed by stranger anxiety, making a simple introduction seem impossible. You’ll notice that the jerky arm and leg movements of newborn days have given way to smoother more circular motions especially when he’s watching the world go by. Put a blanket on the floor and let him stretch as he pleases. These movements can help your baby strengthen and tone her developing muscles
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Here's Why Parents Need to Limit Their Screen Time Too!
Screen addiction in children is a common concern for parents of the present age. Like any other responsible parent, you keep tabs on what your kids scour on the internet; you probably have blocked websites with adult or inappropriate content on their computers, and you may even have set an-hour-a-day of screen time for them. But when it comes to your own screen time, there’s no limit, is there, now?
There’s no one stopping you from watching your favourite shows on television or reading ebooks on your smartphone. But before you scold your kids for going over their screen time, ponder hard over your own habits and ask yourself if you also need a screen time limit. If you’re honest to yourself, your inner voice will probably say yes.
How is Screen Time Affecting Your Life?
There’s nothing wrong in watching your favourite shows, playing video games, or texting your friends every day. It’s completely human, but it’s the amount of time that you spend on these activities that becomes a cause for concern. You must have read enough articles on why you need to limit your child’s screen time, but today, read on to find out why you, as a parent, need to cut down your screen time as well. It is taking a toll on different aspects of your life and you probably may not have realized it. Here’s how it’s affecting you.
1. Your mental health – by taking you on the road to depression
Television shows, movies, and social media can easily help you escape or evade from real life problems, but at the same time, it can deceive your brain by taking you on a trip to a make-believe world. The inactive lifestyle that most of you’re probably leading can also make you prone to depression. As per a study, moderate to severe levels of depression were associated with the use of computers and excessive TV time. People who watch television or use a computer for more than 6 hours a day have more chances of sinking into depression than people who don’t spend much time in front of these devices.
2. Your physical health
The sedentary lifestyle that most of the people of this generation lead also puts them at the risk of several diseases. When you use your phone or computer, or watch television, you probably do it sitting on a chair or a couch - which doesn’t help your body at all. Sitting for long hours and not doing any physical activity can put you at the risk of health problems, like diabetes, obesity, and even cancer. Your posture gets affected too - you may experience pain in your neck as a result of looking down at your phone constantly.
However, it’s not too late to start exercising and make dietary changes. You can take up yoga, cardio, Zumba, playing outside with your kids, or even walking for that matter - go with the one that is comfortable for you and live actively to keep diseases at bay.
3. Your sleep
The urge to check the new messages you’ve received on Whatsapp before going to bed is tempting, and you give in without much thought. The next thing you know, it’s already an hour after midnight, and you’re staring up at the ceiling of your bedroom, waiting for sleep to engulf you. But that won’t happen, because being engrossed in your phone, especially at night, disrupts your sleep pattern.
The blue light emitted by the screens of smartphones suppresses the production of melatonin (the hormone which regulates your body’s sleep cycle), thereby messing up your sleep routine. Lack of sleep can leave you feeling sluggish and tired all day long, thereby affecting your work and daily routine.
4. Your relationships
Today, many couples post their pictures (with heartwarming captions) on social media, setting and redefining couple and family goals; and while there is nothing wrong with that, it might take them away from meeting their real-life relationship goals!
The constant need to check your phone may affect the quantity and quality of your real-life interactions with your partner. Even when you go out with your friends to a restaurant, most of them get busy with clicking pictures of the food, rather than enjoying the meal itself. You may try to have a real conversation with your spouse and children, but it probably gets interrupted with important calls and unimportant notifications, and the people sitting in front of you may unintentionally take a back seat in your life. When you’re with your family, and especially your kids, ensure that you give them your entire, undivided attention. Notifications may keep appearing but nothing will bring back the good times you spend with your loved ones!
5. Your happiness - the most important and the most ignored one
If you’re reading this point, then we assume that you have gone through the above four. So let’s get down to it - how can extended screen time make you happy, if it’s one of the root causes of several other problems stated above? While we understand that you can’t cut down on your work-related screen time, what’s your excuse for being glued to screens for fun? Whatever free time you have today, which you once spent on pursuing your hobbies and doing your daily chores, now goes in scrolling through your Facebook and Instagram feeds. Without even realizing it, you waste plenty of time, feeling happy YET insecure at the same time. The time spent on social media is like gaining empty calories, where you may feel motivated for a few minutes, but something you’ll regret later for having done nothing productive with. This unhappiness will be reflected in your daily life and the resultant negativity may rub off on your family and friends too.
In this technology-driven world, you’re likely to feel that you’re missing out on your life if you’re not active on social media. We are not saying that you don’t have to be on it. All we are suggesting is that you set some healthy boundaries for yourself, just as you do for your kids, because it’s too easy to lose yourself in the alluring digital world.
Now that you are aware of the ‘whys’, let’s discuss the solutions that can help you in attaining your goal of limiting screen time.
Take a break at work – While at work, take breaks often. Look away from screens every 20 minutes. Stand up and walk around; go fill your water bottle and use the staircase instead of the elevator. While sitting on your chair, stretch your neck, back, and legs regularly. You can also learn a few exercises that you can do at your office desk.
Use technology for good – Everything has two sides – positive and negative - how you look at it or in this case, use it, makes the difference. Smartphones, the internet, and social media may be indispensable for you now, but how about from now on, you consume it for good? Download applications that can act as a medium to achieve your goals. You can set alarms on your phone informing you to take a break. You can download an app to maintain your to-do-list. You can even have apps that help you keep a count of the calories you consume or the number of steps you take in a day. See, there are several positive ways in which you can use your screen time!
Walk while talking on the phone – Instead of sitting and talking on your phone, walk around while having those long conversations with your best friend. This way you’ll stay healthy and maintain your relationships with the ones who mean a lot to you!
Get creative – Yes, you can take up a hobby even if you’re in your late 20s or 30s - it’s never too late to learn something new. Other than this, you can also indulge in creative activities with your kids. Try art and craft activities with them, or just go outdoors and have fun. Do something that doesn’t remind you of your phone.
Exercise – You knew this was coming, right? Exercise can help you fight depression and insomnia, and can help you stay fit. It can help you tackle all the problems associated with screen time. Besides, when you’re up and running, you’re hardly going to be using your phone during that time, AND your body will be benefitting from exercise too. So, get up and get moving!
Staying away from screens, especially in this digital age, can be hard, but it’s something you have to learn to do. Taking breaks from screens is important to lead a healthy and happy life. So, incorporate healthy habits into your life and bid adieu to your screen addiction.
Also Read:
How to Spend Quality Time with family?
Importance of Family Relationships
Why Friendship is Important in Marriage? Read more
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Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
6 hours ago
Q. hi have one question
LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5
what it mean??? and should I start intercourse
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
6 hours ago
A. since you are right follicle is 18 mm yes of course you can start with your intercourse for conception as in 1 to 2 days
their maybe rupture of the follicle by which your sperm should be present there for conception
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why baby vomit
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. for babies less than 6 months may not be a problem. small babies will be having lot of gas because of various reasons it is advisable to do burping of the baby immediately after feeding please give colimex DF drops to the baby they are safe
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
5 hours ago
Q. i am 35 weeks 3 days pregnant... my ultrasound report shows that "fl and hl are shorter compared to bpd"... is this anything to worry
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
needs proper follow-up for this
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. use nasal drops , that acts faster .
You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. since the follicle size is 18 to 20 mm your ovulation may occur within 24 hours also so if you have intercourse with in that time it will be more effective to get conceived
your endometrial growth is not good enough for conception but still you can just try
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
4 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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