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Eating Flax Seeds During Pregnancy - is it Good?
During a visit to the local supermarket, you will always find an attractively-packaged box of flax seeds staring at you. Having read many good things about flax seeds, you may want to reach out to it, wanting to give the best to that little life growing inside you. But there is a nagging doubt that holds you back “Are flax seeds safe during pregnancy?” Having full knowledge about the risks, benefits and recommended portions is definitely helpful before including them in your diet during pregnancy.
What Are Flax Seeds?
Flax seeds are borne by the flax plant and are well-known as an effective laxative, with its other benefits coming to the fore in recent times. Known as “Alsi” in India, it is grown in cold regions and contains magnesium, potassium, protein, zinc, vitamins B6 and E. Flaxseed contains an omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linolenic acid, which can help in the reduction of inflammation and cholesterol levels. Due to its fiber content, flaxseed is also helpful in regulating blood glucose and cholesterol to a great extent.
Is it Safe To Eat Flax Seeds During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a delicate time when you have to be careful about your diet and adopt the safest of food choices possible for your well-being and the baby’s too. There are divided opinions in the medical community about the utility and safety of consuming flax seeds during pregnancy. According to a few knowledgeable sources, the nutrients in flax seeds can reduce the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart-related ailments.
If you are plagued by the question, “can I eat flax seeds while pregnant?” you should know that no studies have been conducted on humans. However, tests done on animals have shown that high doses of this seed can prove to be harmful to the foetus. In such cases, you should always check with your doctor before including flax seeds as a part of your diet.
Flax Seeds' Nutritional Value
Now, here's some flax seed nutrition facts. Every 100 grams of flax seeds contains 534 calories. This means that when you consume one tablespoon of whole seeds (approx. 10 grams), you are consuming 55 calories. Flax seeds contain forty-two percent fat, twenty-nine percent carbohydrates, and eighteen percent protein. Almost ninety-five percent of the carbohydrates in Flax seeds is fiber, which is 20% to 40% of soluble fiber and 60% to 80% of insoluble fiber. It is this combination of fiber that makes it a natural laxative and promotes digestive health.
Benefits of Flax Seeds for Pregnant Women
There are a number of health benefits of flax seeds in pregnancy and pregnant women can consult their doctor prior to its inclusion in their diet.
Contains important nutrients: Flaxseed contains linoleic acid, alpha-linoleic acid or Omega-3 polyunsaturated fat. These are essential during pregnancy since they aid in the brain development of the fetus, especially during the first few months of pregnancy.
Helps relieve constipation: Pregnant women are often plagued by constipation and flaxseeds being natural laxatives can alleviate the condition. Since bowel movements are regular, it can prevent hemorrhoids.
Manages blood sugar level: Blood sugar levels tend to rise during pregnancy and flaxseeds help in keeping it at manageable levels. Chances of high birth weight and C-section deliveries can be reduced due to this.
Reduces occurance of hot flushes: Flaxseeds are also known to reduce the occurrence of hot flushes, which is common during pregnancy.
Replenishes minerals: Your body needs nutrients since they are being constantly consumed by you and the baby. Minerals like magnesium, selenium, and potassium are replenished when you include flaxseeds in your diet.
Improves immunity: Consuming flaxseeds provides protection against life-threatening diseases like cancer since it is rich in lignans (Phytonutrients)
Helps with managing diabetes: Flaxseeds are effective against diabetes due to the soluble fiber contained in it.
Reduces risks of heart condition: Studies have shown that cardiovascular diseases can be kept at bay as flax seeds are known to contain blood thinning properties
How To Include Flax Seeds in My Diet?
Doctors do not recommend the ingestion of flax seeds in its raw form since it contains minor amounts of cyanide. The best way of including flax seeds in your diet is to roast them as it destroys the cyanide compounds present in it.
It is best to grind the seeds into powder to absorb it completely. You can add this powder to smoothies or to yogurt if you want to avoid direct consumption.
You can use the flaxseed powder to garnish your salad or your morning cereal.
Remember to store flax seeds in an airtight container to retain its freshness and keep it crisp.
How Much Flax Seeds Can I Consume When Pregnant
It is important to consume flax seeds in moderation during pregnancy considering the requirement of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is about 1.4g/day. This means you can safely consume not more than one tablespoon of freshly ground flax seed without a worry. Flaxseeds are common ingredients in our daily diet like bread and bakery items so check with your doctor about its inclusion in the diet.
Side Effects Of Eating Flax Seeds
Here are a few known side-effects of eating flax seeds during pregnancy since to-be mothers often ask if it is it harmful to eat flax seeds:
Since you are extra-careful about adding food items to your diet during pregnancy, do not eat raw or flax seeds, since you could experience rise in your blood pressure levels.
Pregnant women can experience nausea and diarrhea when flax seeds are consumed in higher quantities.
If you are allergic to nuts, you should watch out for symptoms like breathing difficulty or tightness around the chest area.
Swelling of lips is also a common side-effect on eating flax seeds during pregnancy
Raw flax seeds contain tiny amounts of cyanide which can result in poisoning.
Since there are many conflicting theories about the pros and cons of including flax seeds, their quantity etc. during pregnancy, it is always recommended to consult with your doctor about this. So choose the safest option while welcoming a new life into your world. Read more
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Your Baby This Week : 3 Month Week 1 Old
Your child will most likely be able to sit up while propped up by blankets or pillows. If he is able to do so for short periods of time without slumping forward or directly down to the side, by all means, let him enjoy the new scenery that comes with sitting in an upright position on the floor or next to you in the comfort of your couch. A typical newborn sleeps 16 to 18 hours a day. Most babies are physically able to sleep through the night that is sleeping for at least six to eight hours at a stretch any time between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months of age. Exactly when this magical milestone happens, varies significantly, depending both on the child’s individual development and the healthy sleep habits you have entered. Establish a consistent bedtime routine. Doing things the same way every night around the same time, will help your child get the idea that sleep is expected soon. Set the scene for some more sleep. When you put your baby to bed, turn off the lights and close the curtains. Use a real candle or a night light to give you just enough light to see. Keep your room quiet, or use something like a cooling fan, a white noise machine or a lullaby CD to block out sounds from the rest of the house. Establish a set bedtime and stick to it. Establish a regular bedtime, as it can help to regulate your baby’s sleep patterns. Choose a reasonable bedtime that suits the family’s schedule and stick to it as much as possible.
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Keep These 9 Things Handy to Fight Common Winter Ailments
Do you know – one of the reasons why we don’t recover from an illness as quickly as we should is because the microorganisms that cause diseases are becoming smarter and smarter at fighting medicines? It’s true!
Just the way we evolve, germs and microorganisms evolve too. They learn new abilities to fight medicines, and ultimately, the medicine stops having any effect on them.
This is one of the many reasons why it is advised to not ‘pop a pill’ every time we fall sick.
So how then is one to tackle the dreaded winter cold that (no matter how careful you are) always catches up with you eventually?
9 Best Things You Can Use Against Common Winter Ailments
Winter is a great time for a lot of things – travelling, reading, shopping, to name a few. However, the inevitable part of winter is the host of ailments it brings along – the uninvited party-crashers! Here’s your 9-point guide to dealing with common winter-ailments.
1. Lemon-Honey-Ginger for Throat
Ok, that is three things. But it is one super combination that can be used for a number of different problems. However, it works best for any problems related to the throat – a sore throat, throat-ache, dryness, and so one. One of the best ways to combine lemon, ginger, and honey, is to brew yourself a cup of plain green tea and top it up with all above ingredients. You may go for a combination too, using any two ingredients together. Just make sure you get enough of all three regularly.
2. Ghee for Runny Nose and Dryness
Our beloved and humble ghee is, in fact, a very powerful boon we have as Indians! Not only does ghee keep your intestines working smoothly, but it is also great for a runny nose. Wash your hand clean, dip your little finger in liquid ghee, and stick it in your nose before going to bed! While it may sound gross, it works like a charm. Ghee is also much more potent than any body lotion or cream to get rid of skin dryness. You can even use it as a lip-butter and on other dry parts of the body.
3. Garlic and Carrom Seeds for Viral Infections
Both garlic and carrom seeds (ajwain) have potent antiviral properties. But they work better when used as a preventive measure rather than a cure. So make sure you include garlic and ajwain in your regular winter diet. Garlic makes for tasty accompaniment with your regular food when sauteed and salted. Ajwain, on the other hand, can be added to your roti-dough.
4. Turmeric Milk for Winter Chills
This is a great way to warm up your body from within: 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder in one glass of warm milk is one of the oldest cures for winter chills we know. Additional benefits of this drink include better sleep-quality, anti-inflammatory effect, and relief from a sore throat. If you cannot stand the strong flavour of turmeric, do add a drizzle of honey to the milk. You can even add saffron, a known chest decongestant.
5. Palm Sugar for a Dry Cough
One of the effects of winter that we tend to ignore is dehydration. In summers, the body sweats profusely, so you automatically drink enough water. In winter, while the weather gets fairly dry, you may not always remember to drink enough water, giving you a dry cough. The easiest way to tackle dry cough is popping palm sugar, also called Mishri. There is no prescribed dosage for this – you can consume as much mishri as required. But do remember to also drink enough water!
6. Eucalyptus Oil for Congested Nose and Head-ache
Congested sinuses can be the absolute worst nightmare for a winter-lover. The head-ache they bring along can make matters even worse (if it were at all possible to do so!). Decongestion can be dealt with by using eucalyptus oil. Put a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale deeply through the day. For immediate relief, add a few drops to boiling water, and inhale the steam. You can do this right before you hop into bed for deep and peaceful sleep.
7. Hot Soups and Broths for Overall Well-being
One common cause for most winter ailments is dehydration (as previously explained). Another is the fact that the body invests a lot of energy in trying to deal with the low temperatures, leaving us significantly tired. This is why we become more susceptible to infections. One way to conserve body-energy is by keeping the body warm (by dressing appropriately). The other solution is consuming a generous amount of warm and hot fluids – soups, broths, teas, and so on. Feeling the warmth of the soup making its way through your body and warming up your hands and feet is one of the best experiences in the world!
8. Warm Oil Massage for Joint Pains
While old people are more susceptible to this, age is no bar! A lot of times, active people (like sports-persons, gym enthusiasts, or those who travel a lot as part of their daily chores or their profession) too complain of joint pains in winter. A warm oil massage can give you considerable relief from joint pain. The effect of the massage can be further enhanced by using organic and pure oils, infused with essential oils as per one’s liking.
9. Mustard Oil-Salt for Asthma
Asthma too gets worse in winters. While there is no ‘cure’ for asthma, there are a number of things you can do to prevent an asthmatic attack. One of the remedies commonly recommended is massaging the chest with warm mustard oil mixed with salt. The way this remedy works is by heating the body (especially the lungs) to relax the muscles.
Hope this 9-point guide helps you keep yourself and your family fit and healthy this winter so that nothing gets in the way of you and your beloved season!
Also Read:
Why Love Making in Winter is Best?
Perfect Warm Desserts for Cold Winter Nights
Skin Care Routine in Winter for Your Skin Type Read more
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When Your Toddler Has Trouble With Grasping
Toddlers usually don’t need much encouragement when it comes to hand movements. What some toddlers suffer from, however, is coordinated muscle movement of the fingers, thumb and wrist, resulting in a delay in grasping and manipulating objects.
The development of motor functions in children is crucial for a host of physical and mental skills. While some toddlers don’t need any prodding, others need encouragement in learning how to use their hands with more precision. Given time and lots of support, your toddler can easily get there with the help of some strategic activities designed to develop their motor skills.
Strategies for Developing Fine Motor Skills
1. Pointing of the Finger
Pointing to objects or pictures in books is a good exercise for the development of individual finger movement. Even allowing your child to press buttons or doorbells is a good strengthening activity for the index finger.
2. Banging and Hammering
Activities such as banging on a toy drum with a drumstick or scooping sand or water help strengthen a child’s grasp. They also help in strengthening arm movement extending from the shoulder to the elbow, down to the wrist.
3. Dressing and Undressing
If your toddler loves dressing up, encourage his obsession by providing him with a heap of manageable clothes that he can put on and take off. The simple task of dressing and undressing provides your toddler with plenty opportunity to practice finger and hand coordination.
4. Stacking and Sorting
Toddlers take pleasure in the act of piling things up only to knock them down. It’s why building blocks were created to help with fine motor skills development in children. To promote the ability of stacking objects, you could initially provide your toddler with empty tissue boxes or shoe boxes before moving onto smaller items. Once your toddler masters this movement you could introduce him to stacking blocks. It allows for better finger and hand coordination while at the same time your child will learn to sort the blocks according to their colour, shape and size.
5. Self-Spoon and Finger Feeding
Allowing your child to eat with their fingers while gradually helping them learn to eat with a spoon is another set of daily activities which greatly assist motor skills development. Learning to grasp and eat with a spoon is especially important for developing a child's pincer grasp, which is one of the biggest milestones for a child to overcome.
6. Scribbling and Drawing
Somewhere between the ages of 12 to 18 months, your toddler will take to scribbling illegible markings. Drawing with a crayon opens up a host of opportunities to fine tune their motor skills. On your part, do all you can to shower praise on them for every time they present you with their handiwork. Encourage them further by setting up big sheets of paper to the table and allowing them to tap into their imagination with crayons or washable pens.
Each toddler is unique. They develop at their own pace. Parents should always pause to remember this before beginning to worry about their toddler's delay in grasping and manipulating objects. Pushing them to achieve different milestones is bound to have an opposite effect! Read more
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Handmade Is Much More Meaningful, So Why Not Handmade Toys?
We know that raising a kid is an expensive affair and not all of us can afford to buy all the toys available in the whole wide world, neither do we have such big warehouses to store them. Also sometimes, we need more advanced or different versions of the same toys just because kids lose interest in them easily. So here are some ideas to make basic toys at home which will not only cheer up your kids but also give them the advantages of store-bought toys and develop creative thinking in them:
Set up different shaped containers like circle and square, and provide different shaped food items like gems for circle, biscuits for square. Have your child sort them in different containers according to shapes, and later eat them. You can also cut fruits in different shapes to make a healthier version and have your kid use a fork to move them around.
Cut out different shapes from a thick foam sheet and paste this sheet on cardboard base. Cut shapes from cardboard and paste pieces of pipes on the shapes to make the handle. Ask your baby to insert cardboard shapes in the foam base.
Collect lots of different sized cardboard boxes and cover them with coloured/ textured sheets and you have a stacking toy ready. Also just remove the lid part before covering and voila! You have a nesting game at hand.
In a multi- muffin pan, just colour the different moulds or put coloured rounds of paper in each mould and give your baby mixed coloured pompoms. You have an engaging sorting toy. To increase difficulty, ask you kid to use tweezers to pick and drop the pompoms.
Take an old cylinder-shaped box (something with a soft lid), and make lots of cuts in it. Now take cardboard, and cut out different breadth sticks from it which can fit into the holes we made earlier in the can. Now decorate and colour sticks with paint and tape. And colour each cut with sticks. A colour sorting game is ready.
Measuring cups make great nesting/stacking toys.
For a number sorting game, take plastic cups and place them upside down. Write numbers on them and make holes big enough to pass a pipe through the bottom of the cup corresponding to the numbers. In this activity your toddler has to fit in pipes into each hole; not only will it increase fine motor skills but also help in teaching numbers. You can also use this by asking your child to put pompoms or marbles in each cup equal to the number written.
Make a circle on a white sheet and draw 4 lines on it, such that you have a circle divided into 8 pieces. Colour each potion with a different colour. Cut out shapes from different coloured felt paper and ask the child to put shapes on the matching colour base sheet. You can make this more interesting by using gems or pizza toppings instead of basic shapes.
You can use your child's colourful socks as well as ask them to match colours and patterns to make pairs.
You can make sensory bags for little kids as well by filling a Ziploc bag with hair gel and putting small plastic toys in it. Seal the bag really well. The colourful squishy bag will delight your baby.
For an I-spy bag, just fill a transparent bottle with rice and put small plastic animals in it. Seal the lid. Let your baby shake the bottle and find new animals every time.
So, in this way, you can create new toys and find uses of old toys to keep your baby entertained. Just let your creative juices flow. Till then, happy playing!!
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
8 hours ago
Q. hllo am in 34 week of pregnancy,cramps in my hand and foots,my pulses is very fast,i feel tiredness internally,are these symptoms are normal
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. get investigations particularly hemoglobin level. 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
8 hours ago
Q. i feel some fever internally also
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. please check the temperature and get the investigations. fever can be because of different reasons most of the times viral bacterial sometimes due to less immunity there can be recurrence better to treat only with paracetamol if the fever more than 100degr
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. Now I am having pain till then my miscarriage has been done at home
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. I’m sorry I’m unable to understand your query as you haven’t given any detail about it so whatever the situation is you should get a check with your gynaecologist the doctor would be able to give you better help in whatever treatment of precaution you need to require further
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. Hello
What is better normal or csec?
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
2 hours ago
A. hello dear this is not about which is better this is all about your body and the condition of the baby no doubt the normal procedure is the painful but side effect are not there but after C6 you have to be little more careful and you have to take more precaution but again I am saying that this is not about the better one this is about the condition of your pregnancy
Santu has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert
1) till how many days after delivery baby needs to keep on uterus temperatures/warm temperature?
2) Can baby & mother both take bath after 24 hours of delivery?
Santu
Mom of 2 children
1 hour ago
A. It depends on moms and babys health I feel and suggest It's better to check with your doctor and follow their advise. That would be one of the best and safest option for your baby as of now. Take care.
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
34 mins ago
Q. dual marker test is for what purpose??
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
4 mins ago
A. The double marker test helps determine whether the unborn baby has any risk of developing neurological abnormalities or mental disorders
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