The diet of the expectant mother should consist of foods rich in vitamins and minerals. If in summer and autumn you can find fresh fruits and vegetables on the shelves, then in the autumn-winter period it is difficult to do this. An excellent alternative in this case would be freshly squeezed juices from fruits and vegetables. One of the most useful juices is tomato. Can I drink tomato juice during pregnancy? Is it harmful or useful? How to use it?
Is it possible tomato juice during pregnancy?
A few decades ago, doctors said that it is undesirable to use tomato juice for pregnant women. This was reasoned by a high content of salt and acids, since they disrupt the water-salt metabolism and give an additional burden to the kidneys, violate their secretory function. However, recent studies have revealed that tomato juice has absolutely no effect on the kidneys, and you can use it if there are no significant contraindications.
Why do you want tomato juice during pregnancy? This desire often arises in the first or second trimester of pregnancy. In the first trimester, the body of the unborn child is actively developing - cells differentiate, organs and the placenta begin to form. It is in this period that a phenomenon commonly known as toxicosis is often observed. A woman has bouts of nausea, vomiting, disrupted water-salt metabolism. This is precisely the reason for such a strong desire to drink tomato juice. This drink contains all the trace elements that allow you to restore the acid-base balance and improve the gastrointestinal tract.
Benefit
By the content of vitamin A, which is necessary for normal differentiation of fetal cells, development of the neural tube, organs of vision, functioning of the placenta, tomato juice takes the second place fasting carrots. Tomato juice is also useful during pregnancy because it contains folic acid (vitamin B9), which is necessary for the division of cells of the nervous system, epithelium, and blood. To maintain the tone of the nervous system, serotonin, also contained in this drink, is also necessary. Pectin and dietary fiber help prevent decay processes, accelerate intestinal motility, and eliminate heaviness in the stomach. Vitamin C helps prevent varicose veins and blood clots.
Harm and contraindications
During pregnancy, tomato juice can be harmful. Especially if the expectant mother has a pathology of the urinary system or a predisposition to kidney disease. The use of this drink can cause a malfunction of the nephron. Doctors say that kidney stones can form precisely on the background of the use of tomato juice. Juice from tomatoes can be harmful in case of allergies, in particular, when the future mother is contraindicated in consuming “red” foods. With caution, this drink should be consumed with pancreatitis, cholecystitis, stones in the gall bladder. In all of the above cases, pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider.
How to use tomato juice during pregnancy?
The advantage of tomato juice, first of all, is that this product is natural. Of course, we are talking about freshly squeezed juice, because in the packaged drinks that are sold in supermarkets, there are flavorings and preservatives. This drink can be easily prepared at home. To do this, just chop the tomatoes in a blender, and then strain them through a sieve.
How to get the most out of tomato juice?
No matter how useful the natural freshly squeezed juice, when using it, you need to be guided by some rules. This allows you to maximize the benefits of the drink and achieve a therapeutic effect. Nutritionists advise expectant mothers to adhere to the following rules:
- Freshly squeezed tomato juice is not combined with foods rich in starch, in particular with potatoes. The combined use of these products often leads to urolithiasis.
- To improve the taste of the drink, it is best to add herbs or chopped garlic. But the addition of sugar and salt is better to completely abandon.
- Tomato juice goes well with vegetable salads, which add cheese, herbs, vegetable oil. All these components are perfectly absorbed.
- The maximum shelf life of freshly made tomato juice is 2 hours. After this time, the drink loses most of its nutritional properties.
Drinking tomato juice during pregnancy is beneficial. However, it is worth remembering about contraindications to its use. The maximum amount of vitamins contains only a freshly squeezed drink without the addition of salt and sugar. To improve the taste, you can also add greens.