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Honey during Pregnancy - Benefits and Side Effects
Honey is a great substitute for refined sugar and tastes delicious. It is a good source of antioxidants, and amino acids and is used for medicinal purposes too. But it also contains a certain type of bacteria that may lead to botulism in infants. And as a baby’s digestive system is not developed enough to deal with the bacteria in raw honey, doctors recommend that babies younger than 1 year of age should not be given honey. You must have known this already, but if you are pregnant, you might question whether or not you can have honey, for the fear that it might reach the baby. So what's the truth? Find out!
Is It Safe to Eat Honey During Pregnancy?
Yes, honey is safe for consumption during pregnancy, and you can include it in your pregnancy diet unless your doctor suggests otherwise. If you are pregnant, know that it is safe for you because your gut can handle the bacteria in honey. The biggest concern with regards to consuming honey during pregnancy is ‘botulism’ - a rare but serious illness that is caused by contaminated honey containing Clostridium spores, a harmful bacteria. But the chances of being affected by them are less as your natural immune system can fight the infection. During pregnancy, there is no risk of these spores or its toxin affecting the foetus as the bacteria is stopped by the placenta. It doesn’t allow these harmful antigens to crossover and reach the baby, thus shielding him from any potential infection.
Honey is generally recommended as a substitute for sugar, and one needn’t worry about it affecting one’s health when consumed judiciously.
Benefits of Honey During Pregnancy
Honey has numerous health benefits owing to its various medicinal properties. Its importance and benefits have been written about in ancient Indian scriptures. There are several health benefits that you may derive from eating honey. Some of them are explained below.
1. Strengthens the immune system.
During pregnancy, you need to have a strong immune system to stave off any disease-causing agents during this delicate phase as any major complication may have an adverse impact on your baby. The antioxidants and antibacterial properties of honey help boost the immune system and fight infections. So you can include honey in your diet to keep your immune system working!
2. Helps ease a sore throat and cough.
Honey, if taken with ginger or lemon tea, has a soothing effect on the throat due to its anti-inflammatory properties. This is traditionally known to provide relief from cough and help one recover from a sore throat.
3. Helps fight cold.
The anti-viral properties and immune-strengthening properties of honey help provide relief from cold and flu quickly. Pregnant women can consume honey in various forms (like with tea or with lukewarm water) to ensure that they do not catch the flu.
4. May help cure ulcers.
Regular consumption of honey can heal stomach ulcers of patients with gastritis at a faster rate. And it is particularly effective against duodenal ulcers, a type of peptic ulcer, caused by H.pylori infection. Ulcers can be very dangerous as they affect the stomach lining which is located very close to the womb where the baby is. So you must consume honey after consulting with your doctor.
5. May provide relief from insomnia.
Consuming honey is one of the simplest and safest ways to improve the quality of sleep. Honey, when consumed with milk just before bedtime, is known to have stress-relieving properties. And no stress means better sleep. So if you have trouble falling or staying asleep during pregnancy, you can have warm milk with honey before going to bed. You never know, it may help you will stress and insomnia during pregnancy.
6. May help prevent allergies.
The presence of pollen in some of the local varieties of honey is known to improve resistance to seasonal allergies over time. Regular intake of honey helps the body build immunity against antigens that can act up during pregnancy. However, if you are allergic to pollen, you should consult your doctor before consuming honey.
7. Promotes healthy scalp.
Due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, topical application of honey helps treat cuts, wounds, and scalp conditions. Applying honey diluted with warm water on the scalp can ease dandruff and an itchy scalp.
How Much Honey Should Pregnant Women Consume?
As is the case with any food, moderation is the key. If you’re looking for a safe way to eat honey while pregnant, try to keep a count of how many tablespoons of it you consume every day. Three to five tablespoons is enough for the day so the calorie count remains around 180 to 200 calories.
Since honey is high in sugars such as fructose, glucose and maltose, just one tablespoon of it will contain approximately 60 calories. And calorie intake from simple sugars during pregnancy shouldn’t exceed 10 per cent of the total calorie requirement per day, which would be about 1800 to 2400 calories. So, five tablespoons should do just fine.
Side Effects of Consuming Honey During Pregnancy
Though mostly safe for consumption, there are exceptional cases where honey can have side effects. Those with concerns about having honey while pregnant should get themselves checked for gestational diabetes. Some women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy and have to keep a constant watch on their blood sugar levels. Since honey has glucose in it, it comes under the list of carbohydrates and sugars that should be avoided in such cases. The same rule applies for women with type-2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
Although the chances of developing an allergy because of the consumption of honey are rare, excessive consumption can lead to stomach cramps, irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhoea, bloating and stomach problems in some women. Make sure the honey you consume is pure and from a trusted brand.
How to Choose Original or Pure Honey
Pregnant women may face a dilemma while choosing between processed and raw honey. Many women ask if they can have raw honey.
As raw honey is unpasteurized, it retains all the essential enzymes, antioxidants, minerals and useful compounds with which the goodness of honey is associated. However, it also carries some risk due to the presence of pollen, impurities, and potentially harmful microbes, so you must obtain it from a good source. The best way to have pure honey is to buy it straight from a bee farm. If possible, try to source manuka honey as it is tasty and has medicinal properties that can do wonders for you.
Adulterated honey, on the other hand, can have additives such as corn syrup, starch, flour, sugar syrup, and other substances which make it look identical to pure ones but can be discerned with tests. If you are unsure about the quality of honey, check this table to understand the difference between pure and adulterated honey.
Pure Honey
Adulterated Honey
It is not sticky when rubbed between fingers.
Fairly sticky due to the presence of added sweeteners and additives.
It is viscous and takes time to move around the jar, when poured.
It is light and moves freely around the jar, when poured.
Takes time to dissolve in water and settles at the bottom as a lump while being stirred for a while.
Dissolves readily in water.
Impurities such as pollen and other suspended particles are present.
No signs of impurities and looks clear.
Does not get absorbed easily when a few drops are poured on a blotting paper.
Gets absorbed on a blotting paper.
Honey from good brands is almost always pasteurized and is safe for everybody. Organic honey undergoes minimal processing and retains most of its nutrients.
Precautions You Should Take While Consuming Honey
Although honey is safe for consumption during pregnancy, the way you include it in your diet will decide whether it will provide you with benefits or not. So, to get the maximum benefits possible, here are some tips you should follow:
Do not add it to hot water as it might destroy some of the useful enzymes and nutrients.
Foods rich in Vitamin C and D lose their nutrient value when taken with honey as some of the minerals present in the honey tend to nullify the benefits of these vitamins.
Honey mixed with bean curd can cause indigestion and stomach upset and hence should not be taken together.
FAQs
1. How Does Honey Help Strengthen the Immune System?
Honey has a low shelf life but when stored in a sealed container, it can last for several years as most microbial organisms cannot grow and cultivate in it. Its anti-microbial properties come from hydrogen peroxide among other components and ensure protection against infections by boosting immunity. Thus, consuming honey during pregnancy is highly recommended.
2. Who Should Avoid Eating Honey During Pregnancy?
Although honey is safe for consumption, it should be avoided by pregnant women who have gastrointestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They must consult their doctors first before include honey in their pregnancy diet.
You can include honey in your diet as it does not pose any health risk to you or to your unborn baby. You can add a tablespoon of honey in your cup of tea or in warm water, and gain its benefits. Try to obtain it from reputed sources and eat it with delight. Have a healthy pregnancy!
References and Resources: Verywellfamily Read more
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Motherhood: The Biggest Adventure
Motherhood is an overwhelming experience that cannot be summed up in mere words. My journey isn’t a rosy one, it has its shades. When I first saw my tiny little girl, pale and pink, I did not connect with her instantly. It took me some time to feel the connection. Something about childbirth opened the waterworks in me and I used to cry at the drop of a hat. I was told off and called weak for doing so. Pretending to hide my tears and crying alone was even harder. The stitches that were supposed to heal barely did. When I complained of discomfort I was told that I was just overreacting, that pain is normal and that mothers sometimes go through 3-4 deliveries, so there was nothing special about my case.
From then onwards, being open about my discomfort was not an option I was able to exercise. My mom was told off because I did not help around the house. But I was tired, sleepy and hurting; I was often awake the entire night and not able to sleep in the morning... I was a sore sight. It took 3 months for me to be to get comfortable again.
I moved to my in-laws when my daughter turned 2.5 months old. The stinging pain receded only to be taken over by knee and back pain brought on by constantly feeding the little one. But by 3 months I was hand washing my clothes and my little girl's. By 4 months, I was doing it for an entire family of 6. I moved to Bangalore when she completed 6 months and then our journey began.
I struggled to have it all. Being alone and taking care of the little one, what almost felt like single parenting took a toll on me. I was trying so hard to put everyone else before me, that I forgot who I was. I did not have any time for me and I was trying so hard to be an average mother that I forgot I had to be me. Months passed on, and I was silently suffering, sometimes the brunt borne by my little girl. I yelled at her when I couldn’t control the frustration and emptiness that was consuming me.
There also came a point when I was on the verge of walking out of my house in the middle of the night. But the woman in me chose not to. That is when I took to writing about my life on social media. I was letting the steam out, venting it out from behind a username. And I let go of the fears and disappointments and high expectations that I had taken on myself.
Two years later, I still feel a little overwhelmed, but I am getting the hang of it, a little by little. Sometimes social media can be overwhelming too, that is when I write about the truth behind the smile, the tears behind the eyes, the words that are hidden deep within.
Motherhood is not a destination, it’s a journey. It’s a beginning - the beginning of finding yourself, as a mother, as a woman. Here's to finding yourself and more - let the journey take you on a path that connects you.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Toys That Are Useful for Babies
I am a mother of a one-year-old boy. For playing with him, I searched for many toys and books and got some special things that help brain development. I haven't brought so many toys for my son. He used to play with his cousin sister's toys. And I realised that this much plastic is a waste. So I thought of buying only useful toys so that we can reduce plastic waste.
These are the toys I brought for him.
The first one is a book It's a set of five books. Animals, vehicles, birds, general knowledge, and nursery rhymes. It's a board book. It will not tear easily. It includes pictures with names. When my baby gets bored, I will teach him each picture, and ask him to tell its name. You should ask your baby every day. Then they will be thorough with it. So it's a book to learn about our surroundings. I recommend everyone to buy this.
The second one is a gardening and beach playset. It's an outdoor play. It includes a sand playset and beach playset. My baby loves to play with that. He will sit calmly and play.
The third one is a colouring book. But it's a reusable water colouring book. A pen is given with it. Fill water in it and colour it in the book. When water sticks on the book, coloured images appear. After playing, dry in the air. Then the colour will disappear. It's useful while travelling. I use this book while my baby is eating anything.
The next one is a splash book with a squeaker. It's a bath toy. But can be used as a normal toy. It helps to keep your baby seated while bathing.
While selecting a toy, try to buy something which is both helpful for playing and developing intelligence. Just try any of these products and share your experience. I think these will be very helpful for moms. I love all these products.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert hello mam I m 6 month pregnant nd I m having dry cough what medi should I take
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. during pregnancy medicines to be taken strictly under supervision of the treating doctor. 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
Nikitha has added a new answer
Mom of a 4 m old child
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert
my baby boy is 4months old now. his night sleep has been reduced..before he used to sleep 3hrs in one stretch but he wakes up every one hour sharp in the night by crying and taking 5min feed and sleeping back then.. likewise from 9pm to morning 9am every one hour he wakes up . I'm completely exhausted and lost my sleep. how to overcome this. he is also teething and going poop in green colour.. help me from this struggle.
Read moreNikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
53 mins ago
A. hello the sleep cycle of the babies can vary especially firts few months and just try to avoid the baby sleeping late in the evening and then you can slowly try to set a routine and this can help your baby have a good sleep and absolutely nothing to worry
Nikitha has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
37 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
mam what is the schedule of scan during the pregnancy?
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
36 mins ago
A. hello first scanning is done around 2.5 to 3. months vary depending on the individual conditions so it would be better to check with your doctor and she will be able to guide you accordingly and absolutely nothing to worry about and not a problem
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
32 mins ago
Q. my baby girl is crying because of gas. can please tell how to relieve gas?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
31 mins ago
A. from your history it appears that your child is having colic pain due to gas in abdomen
in colic pain you can give anti colic medicines like colicaid 0.5 ml to the child and this medicine can be given maximum three or four times per day but to prevent this problem kindly do regular burping for 15 to 20 minutes.d
do not kee ep the child back on the bed after one burping (all gas is not removed with one burping)
during the cdolic episode you can do stomach massage and limb cycling movements and if the child is more than 2 months of age you can give tummy time also.
advisable to learn more about it from your doctor.
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
32 mins ago
Q. my baby girl is not sleeping at night.
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
31 mins ago
A. the sleeping pattern of the child changes from time to time and will improve with increasing age of the child. if the growth and weight gain of the child is proper along with proper urine stool then there is no need to worry regarding the sleeping pattern.
you have to just see that the child is not having any disturbance during the sleep because it can occur due to gas as well as due to digestion problem. aldso see for the comfort of the child and see the bedding on which the child is sleeping.
try to prevent temperature variations around the child that is from hot to cold and cold to hot weather because that also can cause disturbance in the sleep. d
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
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Q. #asktheexpert ozone face wash toner and hydrant use kar liya mera face khurdura ho gya kya kare bahut itching hoti hai jalan bhi
Dr Sameer awadhiya
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9 mins ago
A. For the query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Online consultation can also be taken abfccnd the expert will give you the proper answer .
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