Yogurt is safe as well as healthy for pregnant women. Consuming Yogurt during pregnancy can offer many of the key elements including protein, vitamins, magnesium, sodium and potassium and that can significantly help with the development of the fetus.
Along with the fetal development, it can keep your health on check by providing many advantages. This advantages however are thoroughly discussed further on this article.
But that’s not all! This article also gives significant views on when to avoid Yogurt, what is the ideal amount for consumption and what type of Yogurts can cause mishaps.
So, without any further delay lets dive right into it!
IS YOGURT OKAY DURING PREGNANCY?
It is absolutely okay to consume Yogurt in pregnancy only in the event that it is pasteurized. Expectant ladies can enjoy pasteurized Yogurt in all trimesters. There will be no harms caused by it.
However, having unpasteurized dairy products such as milk, cheeses, cream and Yogurt is unsafe to have while expecting.
Having these contaminated foods can cause food poisoning during pregnancy.
Unpasteurized dairy products often harbor listeria. So, consume these kinds of foods consequently leads to listeriosis, that will result in brutal consequences. For example, premature labor, delivery of low-birth-weight baby and infant death.
Thus and thus, asides from unpasteurized one is completely okay to have Yogurt in pregnancy. And you can Yogurt while pregnant for sure.
IS YOGURT GOOD FOR PREGNANT WOMEN?
Yogurt is not only good but also excellent for pregnant women, as it holds many of the key factors. A among all the factors, Yogurt is rich in calcium. The good amount of calcium present in it can boost the development of bones, teeth, heart, nerve and muscle functions of the function.
Not only that, Yogurt is abundant source of protein as well. Protein can help with the extra blood production and promotes a healthy weight gain in expectant women.
However, the nutritional of Yogurt is not just limited with these two elements. It contains a great variety of nutritional factors that significantly benefits pregnancy.
HOW GOOD IS YOGURT DURING PREGNANCY?
Yogurt is awesome to consume during pregnancy since it contains
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Protein
- Calcium
- Vitamins
- Magnesium
- Cobalamin
These compounds can significantly support your pregnancy health plus, maintain a proper growth of the fetus.
On top of that Yogurt are either low in fat content or are totally fat free. These factors can reduce the risk of build up of fat related issues while gestating.
So, this is how this dairy product can benefits pregnancy.
BENEFITS OF YOGURT DURING PREGNANCY
The fact that will amaze you is, you can acquire several benefits by just eating Yogurt while pregnant. For example, A better immune system, heart, digestive system, a perfect weight and some others.
This worth mentioning benefits of Yogurt during pregnancy are mentioned on an individual basis. Be certain to check each one out.
1.IMPROVES IMMUNE SYSTEM
The immune system gets busted during pregnancy. It mostly occurs for the vast hormonal changes. This out of whack immunity levels can invite multiple pregnancy infections and vaginal infections.
However, having Yogurt can give your immune system a boost and fight off disease causing microorganisms.
This occurs because Yogurt are packed with multiple minerals and nutrients. Yogurt, on the other hand can deliver lactobacillus a probiotic that keeps your immune system on track.
2. PREVENT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
One of the brilliant benefits of having yogurt is, the prevention against high blood pressure.
Since you’re pregnant, you’re vulnerable to high BP because of increased blood volume in your body and not getting enough physical activities, and hypertension is risky for both the mother and baby.
The intake of yogurt, however, can prevent high blood pressure. Helpful ingredients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium present in yogurt ae capable of regulating blood pressure.
3. CAN RELIEVE STRESS AND ANXIETY
Pregnancy is no joke at all. It can make you stressed out and anxious like no other, and both of which are not-so-good for motherhood.
Anyway, having yogurt plays an essential role in calming you down. Multiple studies have found that, consuming healthful bacteria can sharply increase happiness in people.
Most of the yogurts contain “live and active cultures” that can reduce stress and anxiety during pregnancy.
4. IMPROVES THE DIGESTIVE TRACT
Experiencing gut problems during pregnancy is more common that one can imagine. They generally occur for the hormonal changes, and gradual growth of the fetus.
Having yogurt during pregnancy can aid gut issues as well. Yogurt naturally contains probiotic qualities or good bacteria that supports the digestive tract.
Not just this, yogurt also helps in digestion of food that you devour and maintain the health of intestines. Thus, assists your body to absorb more nutrients.
By virtue of yogurt, you can aid gut issues including,
- Colon cancer
- Lactose intolerance
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Inflammatory bowel disease
5. HELP IN MAINTAINING HEALTHY WEIGHT
Although a healthy weight is vital for pregnancy, still being overweight can be problematic.
The increased fat in your body doesn’t just sit there. They are more likely to cause fatal pregnancy issues.
For example, gestational diabetes, miscarriage, stillbirth and more.
But the good news is, having yogurt can reduce excess weight gain in pregnancy.
As it is packed with protein, it can keep you full for a longer period.
Thus, puts a stop to the unwanted calorie intake throughout the day by the increased appetite accompanied by pregnancy food cravings.
Yogurt, on the flip side, prevents the stress hormone ‘cortisol’ which is responsible for eating more food in stressful situations.
6. CAN CARE FOR YOUR HEART
Since you got pregnant, your heart has been in toil and working vigorously for the increased blood volume in your body.
A pregnant woman’s heart rate increases by 30 to 50% compared to a normal person. Thus, it needs care.
Well, you can care for your heart by adding yogurt in your pregnancy diet though.
Consuming yogurt maintains a healthy blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels.
And both of these factors are highly needed for the function of a healthy heart.
It even prevents long term weight gain which is also important for maintaining a sound heart health.
7. COOLS DOWN YOUR BODY
Ever wonder why you always search for yogurt after eating something too spicy that your tongue can’t handle anymore?
It’s simple, because yogurt keeps your body cool.
Well, the reason it cools your body is, it coats your mouth, throat and stomach, drawing out heat, exactly the areas the spicy foods touch.
It also lessens the possibilities of heartburn that these foods can possibly cause.
So, if you’re having spicy food cravings then you better be adding yogurt in your diet as your savior.
8. OPPOSE SKIN DAMAGE
Yogurt plays a major character in skin care.
Whether Greek or regular yogurt- all are huge sources of lactic acid.
This organic element found in yogurts can assist you in reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
It can ward off dry and dull skin that typically occurs for the hormonal changes during pregnancy indeed.
9. CAN REDUCE BONE DAMAGE
Bone damage typically initiates in pregnancy and usually occurs right after the delivery of a baby.
Expectant ladies can also develop the risk of osteoporosis in rare cases.
However, having yogurt on a daily basis dramatically reduces bone damage during and in the postpartum period.
This happens because yogurt delivers a high amount of calcium into your body that keeps your bone health in tune.
And surprisingly enough yogurt leads to a 39 percent of lesser risk to develop osteoporosis compared to those who don’t.
10. HEALTHY MUSCLES
Last but not the least, having yogurt during pregnancy helps maintain healthy muscles.
Many studies show that, apart from calcium, it can help in proper contraction of the muscle fiber.
This factor lately, lends a helping hand in maintaining muscle health.
So, these are the overall benefits of yogurt while pregnant.
If we put all the advantages of yogurt in one simple list, then the list will be as follows.
YOGURT DURING PREGNANCY: BENEFITS
Yogurt is super beneficial to have during pregnancy. It can help you in this following ways:
It a straightforward glance, yogurt helps in
- Improving your immune system
- Preventing high blood pressure
- Relieving stress and anxiety
- Improving digestive health
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Improving heart health
- Cooling down your body
- Opposing skin damages
- Reducing bone damage
- Encouraging healthy muscles
So, in these corresponding ways yogurt benefits pregnancy.
WHICH YOGURT IS SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?
Varieties of yogurt are everywhere, so why only rely on limited ones?
But, it’s vital to confirm whether the yogurt you are consuming is pasteurized or not.
This is important because having unpasteurized yogurt can cause listeria, a type of food poisoning in pregnancy that is nearly as damaging as smoking.
So, any yogurt that is prepared from pasteurized milk is considered safe.
Most of the commercial yogurts are prepared from pasteurized low fat milk. For example, plain yogurt, Greek yogurt, skyr etc.
These ones are known as best to consume.
WHICH YOGURT IS BEST DURING PREGNANCY?
When both Greek and pain pasteurized yogurts are safe to eat during pregnancy, Greek yogurt is considered as more beneficial.
Greek yogurt contains twice the protein content than the normal ones.
It even holds a greater amount of probiotics, B vitamins, phosphorus and calcium.
Moreover, Greek yogurts do not hold the liquid substance known as what.
Thus, the bear is more solid together with creamy texture which is best to snack on.
PROBIOTIC YOGURT IN PREGNANCY
Your intestines hold various probiotic bacteria that are critical to maintain a proper processing of your digestive system.
Since the digestive ability goes out of whack in pregnancy, probiotic yogurt can help.
HOW MUCH YOGURT IS SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?
In order to fill the extensive demands of calcium in your pregnancy, you can take 600grams of yogurt per day.
You can divide the amount into 200 grams for each serving a day.
WHEN TO AVOID YOGURT WHEN PREGNANT?
Yogurt is a super food for pregnancy providing outstanding benefits.
But in certain circumstances, you may have to avoid it. Such an instance is when having severe lactose intolerance.
Eating yogurt while being lactose intolerant can cause pain in the abdomen, bloating, diarrhea and stomach cramps.
TYPES OF YOGURT TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY
Both the yogurts that are not pasteurized and made out of full fat milk should be avoided during pregnancy.
Where unpasteurized yogurt can cause food poisoning, having full fat yogurt can lead to unhealthy weight gain.
And both of these problems are concerning. So, avoid these yogurts no matter what.
WHICH YOGURT IS SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?
Respecting safety concerns, the below listed variety of yogurt are considered as safe to eat during pregnancy.
Probiotic yogurt
Swiss yogurt
Semi skimmed milk yogurt
- Frozen yogurt
- Plain yogurt
- Natural; yogurt
- Pasteurized sheep milk yogurt
- Almond yogurt
- Coconut yogurt
You can add these varieties of yogurt in your diet.
CAN YOGURT EVER BE HARMFUL DURING PREGNANCY
Yes they can!
Yogurt can be harmful during pregnancy unless they are pasteurized.
Yogurt made from raw milk or unpasteurized can cause food poisoning.
CAN PREGNANT WOMEN EAT FLAVORED YOGURT?
No harms will arise by eating flavored yogurt.
Flavored yogurts containing a minimal amount of sugar and containing natural ingredients are the safest ones to choose.
(Unsweetened yogurts are best though.)
However, if you are concerned about weight gain, then avoid commercially made flavored yogurts having too much sugar in them.
You better be preparing your own flavored yogurt.
For example, you can add berries, fresh fruit, add natural sweetener, or honey to the yogurt in order to make flavored yogurt.
They are even healthier.
BEST WAY TO CONSUME YOGURT?
For me, yogurt is the most versatile food that one could ever come across.
You can have it in your breakfast dips, in lunch as a salad dressing, or let’s just face it in dinner loaded with sweet potatoes to make a recipe as its own.
But I am delighted that it’s not all.
There are plenty of other recipes you can make with yogurt for a delicious devour.
For example,
- Use it as a fruit and veggies dip(Avocado is healthy choice)
- Add it to smoothies
- Drink it up
- Make a banana pop
- Mix it up with lentils for snacks
- Make it frozen into a bark
You can try these easy recipes that literally are tasty and are brilliantly healthy..
WHY AM CRAVING YOGURT DURING PREGNANCY?
Oftentimes, pregnant women crave bizarre and weird combinations of foods.
However, one of the most common pregnancy food cravings is the cravings to dairy products.
This can include milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.
so, everything that you should know regarding yogurt during pregnancy finishes here.
From the above analysis, I suspect that you are completely aware why yogurt is really a super food for pregnancy.
But what can be the other super foods for pregnancy?
Well, just to let you know, here is a list of foods that you should eat during pregnancy rather than only yogurt.
FOODS TO EAT DURING PREGNANCY
- Whole grains
- Bell peppers
- Lean meat and protein
- Berries
- Dairy products
- Water
- Broccoli and other leafy greens
- Green vegetables
- Salmon fish
- Dried fruits
These above mentioned foods are packed with pregnancy friendly nutrients that can significantly help with the development of the baby.
YOGURT DURING PREGNANCY: FAQS
Can you eat yogurt in the first trimester?
Dairy products including yogurt can deliver various helpful elements at a single stroke like calcium, phosphorus, vitamins and more. They are safe to eat at any point of pregnancy even in the first trimester.
Which yogurt is highest in calcium?
Greek yogurt is preferred as it holds the highest level of calcium among all the varieties of yogurts. It contains 115 mg of calcium per 100 grams.
Are frozen yogurt good during pregnancy?
Commercially made frozen yogurt is usually pasteurized and is made with pasteurized ingredients. They are packed with calcium, manganese, potassium, carbohydrates, iron, protein and more which can benefit you. So,frozen yogurts are also good for pregnancy.
LAST WORDS FROM PREGARLYBODY
Yogurt is the most versatile food that one could ever come across.
There is barely any food left that won’t get fit with it. (comment down if there are)
But more importantly yogurt is extremely beneficial for pregnancy.
But for that, I hope that you came to know a thing or two about yogurt during pregnancy.
All at the end, pregarlybody wishes you a healthy pregnancy ahead.
