Tomato is the most controversial vegetable in terms of breastfeeding. In the debate about its benefits and harms for the baby and mother, many spears, gynecologists, nutritionists and therapists have already broken their spears. Is it possible for a nursing mother to tomato, or is this product nevertheless classified as taboo during lactation? Let's figure it out together.
Is it possible for a nursing mother to have tomatoes?
To begin with, let's find out what is so useful in tomatoes that makes them indispensable on the tables of residents of almost the entire planet? Tomatoes are very valuable products for the human body. They contain many organic acids, such as malic and citric, which accelerate the metabolism, and also positively affect hematopoietic function. They also contain as much as 25 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams of product. In addition, tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, B1 and B6. However, thinking about whether it is possible for a nursing mother to tomato, we mean the field varieties of this vegetable, and certainly not the greenhouse options - they contain much lower levels of nutrients.
The benefit of the vegetable is its beneficial effect on digestion. And besides, the composition of tomatoes includes lycopene - a powerful antioxidant that contributes to the healthy functioning of the cardiovascular system. However, this same substance is the main reason why tomatoes can not be nursing mother. The fact is that the same lycopene is the strongest allergen that can cause a powerful reaction in a fragile baby's body when it enters the blood with breast milk.
Now it’s worthwhile to dwell in more detail on the harm in order to understand the position of those doctors who answer an unequivocal “no” to the question of whether tomatoes can be given to a nursing mother. In addition to the above-described properties of causing allergies, this vegetable is dangerous in case of gallstone disease, since it can provoke its exacerbation. It also contributes to the formation of kidney stones and the bladder. And in general, it is quite possible for tomatoes and juice from them
to increase the acidity of the stomach due to the high content of organic acids. Therefore, those who suffer from heartburn, they are also contraindicated. Well,
canned tomatoes are harmful in themselves because of the high amount of salt and vinegar used in their processing. But all this can only harm a mother, which means that only their allergenicity is directly related to the feeding process.
Therefore, to date, progressive experts believe that it is possible for a nursing mother to eat tomatoes if she herself does not suffer from an allergy to this product. True, they advise to adhere to the following rules in their use:
- if there is a reaction in the mother or baby, immediately exclude the tomatoes from the diet;
- choose seasonal vegetables - often a child’s problems arise not because of lycopene, but because of the increased nitrate content in greenhouse tomatoes;
- do not eat canned vegetables, and if you really want to - give preference to pickled and salted, rather than pickled tomatoes ;
- consume in moderation - too many tomatoes are not good for even an adult healthy person.