Giving you 7 reasons why you should add pumpkin seeds during pregnancy in your diet. Also know what are the possible side effects of eating pumpkin seeds during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a crucial time, and maintaining a healthy diet during this time is of utmost importance. When you are pregnant, your body needs extra vitamins and nutrients to supplement the growth of the fetus. Therefore, you have to make changes to your regular diet to make it pregnancy-friendly. One of the pregancy super foods is pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are good for pregnancy because they are a storehouse of vitamins, minerals, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for the growth and development of the fetus and the wellbeing of the mother. 

Also Read: 5 Health Benefits of Cashews in Pregnancy

Nutritional Value of Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are the most nutritious seeds because they are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. They offer immense health benefits to a mother-to-be and her fetus. Do you know that 100 grams of pumpkin seeds provide 49 calories (kcal) and approximately 10.3 mg of zinc.

7 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds During Pregnancy 

1. Keep Mood Swings in Check
   According to experts, pumpkin seeds have antidepressant properties. Thus, pumpkin seeds are beneficial during pregnancy because they help to alleviate the mood swings that are common during this time. Furthermore, pumpkin seeds have magnesium, which helps reduce stress and anxiety. So, if you are pregnant or planning to expand your family, you must add pumpkin seeds to your pregnancy-friendly diet to reduce stress.  
2. Improve Sleep Pattern
   During the second trimester of your pregnancy, there are higher chances that you might experience difficulty sleeping. By eating pumpkin seeds a few hours before bedtime, you can improve the quality of your sleep. As per experts, the amino acid tryptophan in the body promotes sleep, and pumpkin seeds are high in the amino acid tryptophan. Therefore, pumpkin seeds are good for pregnancy. 
3. Regulate Blood Pressure
   High blood pressure in pregnancy has become common. It is important to keep the blood pressure under control to keep yourself and the fetus healthy. One of the ways to regulate blood pressure during pregnancy is by eating pumpkin seeds. These seeds are loaded with magnesium, which helps reduce blood pressure. 
4. Reduce the Risk of Gestational Diabetes
   If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, then you need to take care of your health as it can cause high blood sugar that can affect your pregnancy and the health of your baby. Pumpkin seeds are loaded with fibre, magnesium, and antioxidants, which help keep gestational diabetes under control.
5. Boost Immunity
   Your immune system changes during pregnancy, putting you at an increased risk of infection. To keep the infections at bay, you need to boost your immunity during pregnancy. You must eat pumpkin seeds in pregnancy as they are loaded with carotenoids, zinc, iron, and vitamin E, which help boost immunity. 
6. Help in the Growth and Development of the Fetus 
   Omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats are required for the brain development of a fetus. To your surprise, pumpkin seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which make them an important seed to consume during pregnancy. 
7. Combat Fatigue
   As your pregnancy progresses, you start to feel worn out more often. In such times, it is important to have vitamin B rich foods, in your diet, that produce energy and help you combat weakness during pregnancy. Pumpkin seeds are one of the vitamin B-rich foods. 
   
   Also Read: 6 Health Benefits of Walnuts in Pregnancy
   Also Read: 6 Health Benefits of Apricots in Pregnancy

Side Effects of Pumpkin Seeds During Pregnancy

The maximum benefits of pumpkin seeds are enjoyed when they are consumed in moderation. Eating them in excess can lead to many complications during pregnancy, like:

• Since pumpkin seeds have a high fibre content, overeating them may lead to abdominal discomfort.
• Overeating pumpkin seeds can lead to weight gain as they are loaded with calories.

Final Words

The high nutritional value of pumpkin seeds makes them a great superfood for a mother-to-be. The best part is that you can incorporate the pumpkin seeds into your diet in many ways, like in soup, salad, granola bars, etc. As per experts, roasted pumpkin seeds are more beneficial than raw ones. Order the premium quality pumpkin seeds from Healthy Master and enjoy your pregnancy time with healthy food. 

Also Read: 10 Must-Have Healthy Snacks in Pregnancy