Know nutritional value, health benefits and side effects of eating flax seeds during pregnancy and how to add flax seeds into your diet.

Flaxseeds, also known as ‘alsi’ in Hindi, are nutrients packed seeds. They are a superfood for pregnant women as they are rich in fibre, magnesium, potassium, protein, zinc, and vitamins B6 and E. Moreover, they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which can help in managing cholesterol levels in pregnant women. They are important for a pregnant woman for the overall health of herself and the fetus.

However, they should be eaten in moderation to avoid their side effects. For a pregnant woman, the ideal amount is one teaspoon of roasted flax seeds per day. 

 Also Read: 7 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds in Pregnancy

 5 Health Benefits of Flax Seeds in Pregnancy

1. Manage gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is common in pregnant women. If you are recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes, then you must add flaxseeds to your pregnancy-friendly diet as they are rich in fibre. Fibre helps in controlling blood sugar levels by slowing down the carbohydrate metabolism in your body and as a result, there are no sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.

2. Manage Cholesterol Level

In pregnancy, it is important to increase the level of good cholesterol level in the body to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. You must eat roasted flax seeds during your pregnancy time as they help in lowering the bad cholesterol levels (LDL). Furthermore, flax seeds reduce the risk of clogging in arteries as they have blood-thinning properties. 

3. Brain Development of Fetus

The initial months of pregnancy are crucial for the growth and development of the fetus. Therefore, you must add flax seeds in the first trimester of your pregnancy as they are a rich source of linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, or Omega-3 polyunsaturated fat which aid in the brain development of the fetus.

4. Relief from constipation

It is common to face constipation problem during pregnancy. Therefore, you must add superfoods to your diet that help you in easy bowel movement. Flax seeds during pregnancy are one such superfood that give you relief from constipation because they contain soluble fibre.

5. Promote Healthy Hair and Skin

The diet of a pregnant woman has a direct impact on the growth of a fetus. Any food that promotes the well-being of a mother-to-be also promotes the well-being of the fetus. Therefore, you must consume flax seeds in your pregnancy to promote the healthy skin and hair of the fetus as flax seeds are a rich source of vitamin E, also known as the 'vitamin of beauty’.

Side Effects of Eating Flaxseeds during Pregnancy

Flaxseeds can pose a serious threat to the overall health of the mother-to-be and fetus if they are consumed in large quantities. Eat flax seeds in moderation amount to avoid the following side effects -

1. Avoid flax seeds in pregnancy third trimester as they can increase the risk of premature birth.
2. Overeating flaxseeds can cause nausea and diarrhoea.
3. Eating flaxseeds at times may cause swelling of lips.
4. On eating raw flaxseeds, there may be a sudden increase in blood pressure.

Also Read: 10 Must-Have Healthy Snacks in Pregnancy

Conclusion 

In pregnancy, you must avoid eating raw flaxseeds. You must eat freshly roasted flax seeds. Flaxseeds can prove to be beneficial when consumed in moderation. They are a great source fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients, as a result, they provide relief from constipation, and also control blood sugar. You can buy premium quality flax seeds from Healthy Master and roast them at home for consumption.

Also Read: 6 Health Benefits of Makhana in Pregnancy