Is cashew nuts are good for pregnant women? Sharing 5 benefits of eating kaju dry fruit in pregnancy.

Pregnancy is an exciting and life-changing phase in a woman's life. Being pregnant, you have to take utmost care of what and in what quantity you eat. If you love eating nuts, especially cashews, then you might be asking yourself if kaju is good for pregnancy. Yes, it is absolutely safe to eat cashews in pregnancy. Moreover, eating cashews during pregnancy offers ample health benefits to you and the fetus. However, you must eat them in moderation, as excessive eating of cashews can lead to weight gain. 

Nutritional Values of Cashews

1. Source of Vitamin K
   Cashews are a great source of vitamin K, which ensures that blood coagulates properly. Moreover, taking 90 mcg of this vitamin K every day during pregnancy lowers the risk of fetal bleeding during delivery.
2. Rich in Copper
   Copper is an essential nutrient for the fetus, as it plays an important role in the development of the blood vessels, nervous system, and heart of the fetus. Cashews are rich in copper, and eating them daily in a moderate amount fulfils the copper requirement in the body of a pregnant woman. However, you should be careful, as an excessive amount of it can provoke diarrhea, heart problems, and headaches.
3. Rich in Magnesium
   Another important mineral found in abundance in cashews is magnesium, which works with calcium to promote the muscle and bone health of the pregnant woman. Eating cashews during pregnancy, prevents high blood pressure, tension, fatigue, and migraines in women. 

Also Read: 6 Dry Fruits to Lower High blood Pressure

5 Cashew Nuts Benefits in Pregnancy

Cashew (kaju) nuts are good for pregnancy as they are packed with vital nutrients that promote the health of both the mother-to-be and fetus. Here are the 5 reasons why you should add cashews to your pregnancy diet. 

1. Prevent Birth Defects 
   Adding cashews(kaju) to the diet during the first trimester of pregnancy is important. Folate is found in abundance in cashews. It is crucial for fetal development and the formation of the heart and overall circulatory system of the fetus. Furthermore, folate helps in the formation of the neural tube of the fetus. To prevent birth defects in the fetus, you must add cashew nuts to your pregnancy-friendly diet. 
2. Prevent Iron Deficiency
   Cashews are naturally rich in iron. By adding them to your diet, you reduce the chances of developing anemia and fatigue in your body. Whenever you feel hungry, grab a few pieces of cashews. You need iron to produce more blood for both you and your developing baby. Hence, cashews, being rich in iron, promote the production of red blood cells in the body of a pregnant woman. 
3. Improve Digestive Health 
   During pregnancy, you will struggle to have regular bowel movements. To improve bowel movements, it is recommended to add cashews to your pregnancy diet, as cashews are packed with magnesium and fibre that prevent constipation and contribute to healthy digestive tracts. 
4. Cell Repair
   Cashews are a healthy protein source that help with cell repair during pregnancy. Cashews' high protein content plays a significant role in both cell repair and the production of amino acids. Protein helps pregnant women maintain their health and strength by repairing muscle tissue and damaged cells. Therefore, it becomes crucial to add cashews during pregnancy. 
5. Fetus Development
   Another benefit of adding cashew nuts during pregnancy is that they promote the development of bones and teeth in the fetus as they are loaded with calcium. Moreover, the vital nutrients in cashews, like calcium, provide relief to pregnant women from muscle spasm and migraines.

Also Read: 10 Must-Have Healthy Snacks for Pregnant Women

Ways to Add Cashews to Your Pregnancy Diet

• One of the easiest ways to add cashew nuts to your pregnancy diet is to eat them as snacks when you feel hungry. You can have trail mix too.  
• You can add cashew nuts to oats, muesli, and other breakfast meals. 
• Moreover, you can use cashew nuts in desserts like kher to satisfy the cravings for sweets during pregnancy.

Also Read: 6 Benefits of Apricots in Pregnancy

Precautions To Be Taken While Eating Cashew Nuts in Pregnancy

• Always consume unsalted or plain cashews during pregnancy. Never take the salted cashews, as they can limit the intake of sodium. 
• Limit your daily intake of cashews to 28 g as overconsumption of cashews can lead to hypertension and high cholesterol.

Also Read: 6 Benefits of Eating Walnuts in Pregnancy

Conclusion

The nutritional needs of a pregnant woman are significantly higher than those of regular people. Cashews, in particular, are an excellent source of nourishment and energy. For mothers to be, cashew nuts are a superfood. They are rich in micronutrients, like magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamins, and phosphorus, as well as dietary fibre and carbs, and offer a wide range of health benefits to both the mother-to-be and the fetus. However, they must be consumed in moderation to enjoy their health benefits to the fullest. It is advisable to check with your doctor before adding cashew nuts to your pregnancy diet. Healthy Master is your first-stop centre to buy premium-quality cashews.

Also Read: 5 Nuts That Boost Brain Memory