Tomatoes during pregnancy - the benefits and harm

Pregnancy for each woman passes in different ways, with different food preferences, the degree of toxicosis. The desire to eat sour or salty is common, and some expectant mothers find salvation in tomatoes. They are used alone or in the form of salads, marinated, salted, baked, but not each of the options is absolutely safe for a pregnant woman.

To make tomatoes not only a useful product that quenches your taste desires, but also does not provoke various kinds of complications for mother and baby, you need to eat tomatoes correctly, in limited quantities.

The benefits of tomatoes for pregnant women

Tomatoes have a unique composition, which combines a large number of compounds that are useful for body functions. If we consider the vitamin complex, then tomatoes contain: vitamins of group B, including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), folic acid (B9), and also B6 and B5, K, C, H, PP, A, and some others.

Regarding the macro and microelements of the main can be distinguished:

• Calcium, magnesium, sodium;
• Phosphorus, sulfur, potassium;
• Iron, zinc, copper;
• Manganese, iodine, chromium, selenium.

Tomatoes contain organic acids, antioxidants, fiber, and other compounds necessary for normal metabolic processes. The bright color of tomatoes, due to which pregnant women are wary of this vegetable (in some sources berry), is formed by carotene and lycopene. These natural pigments are contained in various concentrations, which determines the color saturation of the tomato.

How useful tomatoes for pregnant women

Subject to the exclusion of contraindications, as well as when used correctly, the following properties of tomato will be useful for the expectant mother:

1. Improving the bowel, preventing constipation, hemorrhoids, natural stimulation of peristalsis.
2. Cleansing the blood vessels, increasing the elasticity of tissues, which has a positive effect on the circulatory system, reduces the risk of plaque and blood clots.
3. Normalization of pressure, namely its decrease, the maintenance of the work of the entire circulatory system.
4. Compensating lack of folic acid, magnesium, potassium, iron and other elements necessary for the development and growth of the baby. Sometimes the gynecologist prescribes these elements separately, for the prevention of anemia, abnormalities in the formation of the nervous system.
5. Partial elimination from the body of harmful substances, including toxins. This is also due to the antioxidants found in tomatoes.
6. Controlling weight due to low calorie content, simultaneous replenishment of the body with important compounds.
7. General improvement of metabolic processes, including the urinary system.

Useful properties can manifest themselves in different ways, it all depends on the number and variety of tomatoes eaten, the individual characteristics of the organism.

How to eat tomatoes for good

To get the most out of vegetables, you need to eat them right. For pregnant women, you should limit the consumption of salted tomatoes, especially green ones, as well as pickled or canned. Despite the delicacy of such cooked dishes, solanine accumulates in them, a characteristic glycoside for plants of this species is harmful to the human body.

Of great importance is seasonality, the place is the growth of vegetables. In winter and spring, it is difficult to find tomatoes that have not been treated with special chemicals, which means that expectant mothers should not get carried away with such products.

The best option is to use tomato fresh or as a salad seasoned with vegetable oil, low-fat yogurt or sour cream. The habitual combination with cucumber is considered unsuccessful for further digestion and assimilation of vegetables. Baking is allowed, but with a minimum amount of salt.

It is important to regulate the amount of tomatoes eaten, even if previously there were no reactions in various manifestations of intolerance. The optimal amount is 1-2 medium sized tomatoes per day.

Hurt tomatoes

Despite the many beneficial properties of high-quality tomatoes, the use of these vegetables can harm the body of the future mother and baby. This may be due to a modified composition, when chemical additives, individual intolerance of the organism, developing diseases or simply a large number of vegetables eaten were used to grow and store tomatoes.

As a possible harm, consuming tomatoes can cause:

1. Allergic reaction in a woman, and subsequently in the unborn child. That is why in the later periods it is necessary to carefully consider the quality and quantity of tomatoes eaten.
2. Pancreatic dysfunction, especially if problems with this organ have already been diagnosed. Diseases of the pancreas, including pancreatitis, are contraindications in which tomatoes are prohibited.
3. Abnormalities of the kidneys, edema, aggravation of urolithiasis. Harmful effects are possible with existing problems, only tomatoes in the diet can not cause the development of serious pathologies.
4. Arthritis. Such disorders of the joints are related to tissue dysfunctions, in which tomatoes are initially prohibited products.
5. Exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcer, gastritis.

If a woman has chronic diseases or pathologies in the acute stage, then the permitted products are discussed with the attending physician, the observing gynecologist.

How to do no harm
If there is any doubt or there has been an unpleasant experience of eating tomatoes, then it’s better not to risk pregnancy, but to consult with a specialist.The doctor will evaluate the general condition, for example, the work of the kidneys, the cardiac system, the presence of puffiness and will give advice on the diet.

To reduce the risk of possible harm from tomatoes, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Vegetables are best purchased in the appropriate season, as they contain the least amount of chemicals. Be sure to wash thoroughly, you can soak it in water or remove the skin, so you can get rid of some of the dangerous nitrates.
2. Eat no more than 1-2 tomatoes per day, if you drink tomato juice, the number of vegetables decreases.
3. If, after consuming tomatoes, indigestion, including nausea, diarrhea, or allergic reactions in the form of rashes, edema, is observed, then it is better to exclude vegetables from the diet. When deteriorating condition immediately call an ambulance.

If a woman is not allergic to tomatoes and eaten vegetables do not cause any negative reactions, this does not mean that the body of an unborn baby is able to perceive all the incoming substances without consequences. Everything should be in moderation, only then there will be a benefit from it, this also applies to tomatoes during pregnancy.

Video: the useful tomato