Benefits of Yogurt for Pregnant Women
December 23, 2018
A typical taste of yogurt that is slightly sour and refreshing, can be a snack choice for pregnant women (pregnant women). But did pregnant women know, besides being delicious for consumption, yogurt also has benefits for health?
Yogurt is a processed product of milk made through bacterial fermentation. This fermentation process causes yogurt to have a unique taste and texture. The content of yogurt is considered to have many health benefits, including maintaining the health of the digestive tract.
Yogurt contains various nutrients that are beneficial when consumed during pregnancy:
Meet calcium needs
Yogurt contains many nutrients, such as vitamin B2 and B12, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Regularly consuming yogurt is beneficial for mothers because of the high calcium content. In addition, yogurt is also beneficial for the formation of baby teeth and bones. Low fat yogurt can be a choice for pregnant women, because it contains calcium higher than milk.
Reducing the risk of complications
Yogurt is also believed to be beneficial in reducing the risk of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, vaginal infections, and allergies. This is caused by the probiotic content contained in yogurt.
Reducing the risk of constipation
The content of probiotics in yogurt can help maintain gastrointestinal health. Therefore, regular consumption of yogurt during pregnancy can prevent diarrhea and reduce the risk of constipation during pregnancy.
Stabilize body weight
Generally during pregnancy, the mother's weight will increase by 11-16 kg. Less weight during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature babies. One way that can be done to gain weight pregnant women is to routinely consume yogurt as a snack. Pregnant women can consume low-fat yogurt with extra fruit.
Tips for Choosing Yogurt
Although yogurt tends to be safe for consumption while pregnant, there are a number of things that need to be considered in choosing yogurt so that the benefits can be felt to the maximum.
First, make sure the yogurt you consume is made from pasteurized milk (ripe milk). Pregnant women are advised to consume low fat yogurt and do not contain flavor enhancers (plain). Flavorless yogurt generally contains higher protein.
Another thing to consider is avoiding yogurt that contains sweeteners and has a thicker texture. Yogurt that contains sweeteners and has a thicker texture contains less nutrients. Instead, pregnant women can consume yogurt with pieces of fruit to make it more fresh for daily consumption.
Eat enough yogurt during pregnancy. The recommended portion is no more than 3-4 cups per day, as an alternative to calcium intake in addition to milk.
Yogurt can be beneficial when consumed during pregnancy. However, it is advisable to consult an obstetrician if pregnant women have a history of allergies or other health conditions before consuming yogurt.