Intake of Ghee during pregnancy – good or bad?

Introduction Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the key factors for a healthy pregnancy as the baby receives its nutrition from the food that the pregnant woman eats. During the nine months of pregnancy, you have to follow a strict diet and may have a variety of problems like uneasiness, nausea, mood swings etc. But all these seem nothing in comparison to the little bundle of joy that will arrive at the end of the third trimester. So, make the best of your pregnancy by having nutritious food that will help your baby develop in a healthy manner. All through your pregnancy, you will get an array of advice regarding what food you must eat and what you should avoid. Ghee is one such item in the food list suggested by your relatives and other concerned people.

  Importance of ghee An integral part of Indian cuisine, ghee is nothing but clarified butter. It has lots of nutritional benefits and contains Omega 9 fatty acids, Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants etc. Though there are many health benefits of ghee for a normal person but whether the consumption of ghee during pregnancy is beneficial is not properly known.   Some of the health benefits of ghee are:

• Maintains the cholesterol level of blood
• Stimulates the digestive fibre of the body
• Enhances metabolism
• Boosts the immune system
• Moisturises and nourishes skin
• Nourishes scalp hair
• Maintains healthy growth of brain and bones of the baby

Consumption of ghee during pregnancy According to nutritionists, the consumption of ghee is not a good idea during pregnancy as ghee is said to be a saturated fat. Though the benefits of ghee for pregnant women is not proven, but in Indian culture it is believed that consuming ghee during this period has the following effects.

• Helps in the development of the baby’s brain
• Nourishes the baby
• Helps in relieving constipation
• Improves digestive function
• Helps to induce labour by acting as a laxative
• Helps in stimulating contractions naturally for smooth delivery

Conclusion If you follow a diet that consists of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy options, adding ghee in a small proportion to your diet does not cause any harm. Homemade ghee is often supposed to be a healthy option and is considered stable for cooking in comparison to butter or oil. And if your weight gain is quite normal, it is safe to have ghee during this period. But if you have gained excess weight, it is advisable not to take ghee. No matter what, it is always good to consult your doctor regarding the inclusion of ghee in your diet and in what amount. Images Courtesy: www.momjunction.com http://pregnant.sg/articles/pregnancy-myth-eat-ghee-for-easy-delivery/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD1qrbaTUYM