RD, CDE, BUMS
Dr. Sumaiya Petiwala has over 14 years of experience practicing in various hospitals. She currently manages her private practice Nutricare Healthcare clinic in Mumbai. In addition to being a Registered Dietitian, she is an Unani/Greek medicine specialist. She combines her education and experience across the spectrum to provide holistic service to her clients all over the world. Her services include personal dietary coaching, family physician services, and homemade nutritional supplements.
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[mj-toc] Whether hot or cold, tea is the most frequently consumed drink in the world. Having a glass of iced tea on a hot day can be revitalizing and good for your health too. But, is it safe to drink this much-enjoyed beverage during pregnancy? Especially since it contains caffeine and sugars, which are not the best foods during pregnancy. Read this article on MomJunction to understand the safety profile of iced tea during pregnancy. Is It Safe To Drink Iced Tea During Pregnancy? Yes, it is safe to drink homemade iced tea with less sugar or honey instead. You can have three to four cups of tea, although you should remember that moderation is always the key to good health (1). Avoid consuming packaged or bottled teas as they contain excess sugars. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/eating-sugar-during-pregnancy_00343128/" title="How Much Sugar In Pregnancy Is Too Much And Its Effects"] Back to top How Much Caffeine Is Present In Iced Tea? The caffeine content...
Consuming fiber-rich foods during pregnancy has several health benefits. For example, it helps you stay satisfied for longer without consuming extra calories, regulate blood sugar, relieve constipation, and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Pregnant women can easily meet their daily fiber requirements by eating a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and beans. If you cannot get enough fiber from your diet, consult a doctor for fiber supplements. However, even though fiber is good for you, consuming it in excess may lead to side effects such as abdominal pain or bloating. Read this post for more information on the benefits of fiber during pregnancy, its side effects, some foods rich in fiber, and tips to increase your daily fiber intake. [mj-toc] What Are The Types Of Fiber And Their Role In Pregnancy? The fiber found in plant-based diets plays a key role in digestive health. While it is not digestible and does not provide a direct energy source,...
A study suggests that if women eat chocolate during pregnancy, they could boost the growth and development of the fetus (1). Consuming small amounts of dark chocolate from the first trimester improves placental functions. However, you should not consume them in excess as it would increase the caffeine level in the body, which may adversely affect the baby. Eating dark chocolate during pregnancy helps regulate blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and relieve stress. However, you should keep some important points in mind to choose the right chocolates during pregnancy. Read this post to know more about the benefits of dark chocolate during pregnancy, the side effects of consuming it in excess, and tips to remember while choosing chocolates. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Eat Chocolate During Pregnancy? [caption id="attachment_885223" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] It is safe to have chocolate while you are pregnant as several studies vouch for its benefits. But it is important for the expectant mothers to keep...
Chia seeds are tiny edible seeds that contain several vital nutrients, such as soluble fiber, high-quality protein, [simple_tooltip text="omega-3 fats" tooltip="A group of essential fatty acids obtained from the diet and required for good health, especially heart health." ], and antioxidants. Since these nutrients promote overall health, consuming chia seeds during pregnancy can benefit you and your baby. Many expecting mothers wonder how much chia seeds should be consumed daily. Knowing this is essential as excessive intake of these seeds can have certain side effects that may affect you and the baby. Read on to learn about whether it is safe to consume chia seeds during pregnancy, their nutritional value, possible health benefits, side effects, and suitable ways to add them to your pregnancy diet. [mj-toc] Are Chia Seeds Safe To Eat During Pregnancy? Yes, chia seeds are safe to consume during pregnancy, but in moderation. They are high in nutrients and can support a healthy pregnancy. These tiny seeds...
Chrysanthemum tea is prepared by steeping dried chrysanthemum flowers in hot water. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine as a natural remedy for treating several health conditions. But if you are pregnant, you might want to know if it is safe to drink Chrysanthemum tea during pregnancy. Research studies have shown mixed results about the safety of herbal teas for maternal health and fetus development. Hence, consumption of herbal teas, such as Chrysanthemum tea, must be done only after you have consulted an expert in prenatal care. Read on as we tell you more about the safety of Chrysanthemum tea for pregnant women, its possible risks, and how you can prepare it. [mj_protip type="Trivia" title="Trivia"]Tea and wine made from chrysanthemum, the official flower of Chicago, gained popularity as they were believed to bring long life to people.[/mj_protip] [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Drink Chrysanthemum Tea During Pregnancy? [caption id="attachment_891049" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] There is not enough research on...
When your little one starts eating solid foods, you might also wonder if papaya for babies is a healthy option. The ripe papaya (Carica) is a fruit frequently used as infant food and has several important nutritional and therapeutic characteristics (1). But, do the numerous advantages of this delectable fruit also apply to infants? Continue reading this post for information on the safety of papaya for newborns, its benefits, and precautions to take. [mj-toc] Is Papaya Safe For Babies? The U.S Food and Drug Administration considers papaya fruit as “generally recognized as safe (GRAS)” for infants (2). Thus, depending upon the age of your baby, you can serve papaya to the baby. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/top-10-food-ideasdiet-9-months-baby_0010072/" title="9th Month Baby Food: Feeding Schedule With Tasty Recipes"] When Can Papaya Be Introduced To Babies? Once your baby starts consuming solids with comfort, you can introduce papaya in your baby's diet (3). Some pediatricians, in general, recommend introducing papaya to a baby around seven and...