Pistachios are considered as one of the healthiest of nuts. Read on to know if it is safe to eat pistachios during pregnancy and what precautions you should take if you include it in your diet.Pistachio nuts are delicious, crunchy and are highly adaptable as a cooking ingredient. Pistachios are one of the healthiest forms of nuts according to nutritionists but there are a lot of mixed opinions about its allergy triggering properties.
In pregnancy a woman’s body is at her most vulnerable stage and a lot of attention should be paid to the diet. In some households pregnant women are prohibited from eating it due to its heat inducing nature. So, it is strictly recommended to consult a doctor before including it in your diet.
Here is all the information you need to know in order to decide if the consumption of pistachios is safe during
pregnancy.
Harmful Effects of Consuming Pistachios during Pregnancy
In case you are allergic to nuts then the chemical substance anacardic acid may provoke allergic reactions that include itching, break outs and rashes. Severe symptoms like abdominal pain and asthmatic tendencies can also develop.
Roasted pistachios have very high amount of sodium that can increase the blood pressure level and this can be especially harmful during pregnancy.
Fructans are present in Pistachios and they can cause bloating, pain in abdomen, constipation, flatulence and diarrhoea.
Can I eat Pistachios during Pregnancy?
When you are pregnant it is natural for you to feel overwhelmed with nutritional advice given to you from every quarter. You can also start worrying about any and every type of food that you consume. While some fruits are certified to be avoidable during pregnancy there are others like pistachios which should definitely be included as a part of a healthy meal plan during pregnancy. However, there are some side effects of consuming pistachios that you should know beforehand before including them in your pregnancy meal plan. If you are cautious and take all required precautions then there is no reason as to why you cannot include nutritious nuts like Pistachios in your meal plan.
Benefits of Eating Pistachios during Pregnancy
Pistachios are very high sources of energy and have the potential of contributing a lot to the fulfilment of dietary requirement during the course of pregnancy. But you should consume them after consulting your doctor.
Pistachios have a high concentration of mono unsaturated fatty acid like oleic acid which reduces total cholesterol count as well as LDL count and so has a balancing effect on the lipid level.
Pistachios have high quantities of antioxidants like Vitamin E, Polyphenolic substances, carotene etc which help in increasing the performance of immune system in expectant mothers.
There are a number of B complex vitamins like B 6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, Pantothenic acid and
folic acid. In collaboration Vitamin B complex helps in enhancing foetal growth.
Pistachios have anti inflammatory properties which help in reducing the onset of joint pain and swelling during the course of
pregnancy.
The high amount of vitamin A and E helps in the prevention of infection during the course of pregnancy.
The moderate amount of copper contained in Pistachios help in neurotransmission system, metabolism regulation and the formation of red blood cells. In pregnancy formation of red blood cells happen at a very high rate and this is why consumption of Pistachio nuts is very beneficial provided that it is consumed in moderation.
Is it Healthy and Safe to eat Pistachios during Pregnancy?
The delicious taste and crunchy texture of Pistachios make it a hot favourite amongst people of all ages and genders. However, in case you are a pregnant woman you must treat every food group you eat with caution. Though Pistachios have many exemplary benefits they are also capable of causing some side effects like allergies and other
complications.
It is best that you have an allergy profile test done and then if you test negative for nut allergies you can devise a meal plan containing optimum inclusion of Pistachios with your nutritionist. This way you can benefit from the nutrients in these delicious nuts without becoming vulnerable to its side effects.
Is it healthy to eat pistachios during pregnancy? Is it harmful to eat pistachios during pregnancy? What are the benefits of eating pistachios during pregnancy? Discuss here. 
