What is green, has tiny bumps all over it and is utterly delicious to eat? Custard apples it is! Popularly known as Sitaphal, custard apples are a household favorite. It is a highly nutritional fruit with multiple health benefits. But can you eat custard apples during pregnancy? Let’s have a look at this frequently asked question!
Nutritional Value of Custard Apples
The consumption of custard apples in pregnancy has many nutritional benefits. It helps in various health conditions during pregnancy, such as morning sickness, nausea, and many more. If you are wondering about the amount of calories in 1 custard apple, listed below is the nutritional value chart of the sitafal.
As seen above, it contains a good amount of all the nutrients. A regularised portion of sitafal within limits can be quite helpful during pregnancy.
Calories in 1 Custard Apple
As per sources, a single custard apple that weighs 100 grams contains 94 calories. These calories can be useful for performing daily functions. Also, since it is not a high-calorie food, it can be eaten without worrying about weight gain issues.
Can We Eat Custard Apple in Pregnancy?
Pregnancy can cause conditions such as morning sickness, hunger pangs, cravings, nausea, constipation, and much more. Since custard apple is rich in antioxidants and also has high fibre content, it helps fight off these conditions associated with pregnancy.
Apart from this, traditional folklore also has a belief that there are several beneficial effects of custard apples during pregnancy. It is said that the brain, nervous system, and immune system of the baby develop well by consuming sitafal in pregnancy. It also helps in easing labour pain and reduces the chances of miscarriages.
Custard Apple Benefits During Pregnancy
The consumption of sitafal in pregnancy is beneficial for the health of a pregnant woman. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, iron, and several other nutrients. These help the child-bearing body to cope with the additional requirements of nutrition.
1. Minimises The Morning Sickness
Vitamin B6 present in custard apples is known to help in conditions of nausea. Also, if you experience morning sickness often, the vitamin could help reduce the frequency.
2. Helps Regulate Blood Pressure
Custard apples are rich in magnesium and potassium contents. Sometimes, during pregnancy, one may experience fluctuations in blood pressure. The presence of magnesium and potassium nutrients helps in such conditions as they can help regulate blood pressure levels.
3. Relieves Stress
The magnesium nutrient helps relax the muscles. It also regulates the cardiovascular system.
4. Helps Promote Heart Health
Regular consumption of sitafal in pregnancy is known to enrich the body with magnesium minerals. It eases the body muscles and hence releases stress. This minimises the risk to heart health.
5. Cleanses Toxins From The Body
Custard apples are rich in antioxidants. These nutrients help to build the immune system and also promote body cleansing. During pregnancy, toxins often accumulate in large amounts in the body. By doing so, the fruits help keep the kidney in an optimal position.
6. Prevention Of Premature Delivery
The sitafal contains a considerable amount of copper. This nutrient is useful for reducing the chances of miscarriage and premature delivery.
7. Helps Manage Diarrhoea
The cooling properties of custard apple are an excellent medication to prevent and manage the condition of diarrhoea. The fruit has medicinal properties that work as a cure for treating diarrhoea.
8. Boosts Foetal Growth
The presence of various minerals and vitamins aid in promoting the growth of the foetus. The minerals magnesium and potassium, along with the other nutrients, help in the formation of the muscles, tendons, and complete body of the foetus.
9. Relieves Dental Problems
The custard apple contents are known to help remove any bad odour in the mouth. Also, the fibre content keeps the gums healthy and teeth sparkling white.
Are There Side Effects of Eating Custard Apples During Pregnancy?
Custard apple is a great and natural remedy without harmful side effects. However, make sure to consult your gynaecologist before you decide on custard apple servings best suited for your body type, height, weight, size, and medical history. Please do not consume the seeds of the custard apple!
Precautions You Should Take While Eating Sitafal in Pregnancy
Although custard apple has several benefits when consumed during pregnancy, a few things need to be kept in mind. It is important to know the following precautionary tips before sitafal consumption.
- Do not consume the seed. It can mess up your digestive system.
- Do not consume the fruit if you are allergic to cold fruits.
- Custard apples have high sugar content. This is why patients with diabetes should avoid their consumption.
- Do not consume unripe custard apples.
Custard Apple Recipes
A number of custard apple recipes are available that can be prepared for consumption during pregnancy. The fruit is rich in various nutrients that can help in the various health conditions during pregnancy. Listed below are some recipes using the custard apple fruit. It will help in the consumption of custard apples in pregnancy using various other forms.
1. Custard Apple Smoothie
Ingredients required:
For the smoothie, you will require:
- 1 custard apple
- 1 cup of milk
- Vanilla ice cream (optional)
- Sugar - as per taste
Method of preparation:
To prepare the custard apple smoothie:
- Take the pulp of custard apple in a bowl.
- Add milk to the pulp, and after that, add vanilla ice cream and sugar.
- Now blend this mixture until you reach the desired consistency of a smoothie.
- Enjoy this cool drink.
2. Custard Apple Rabdi
Ingredients required:
For the rabdi, you will require:
- 2 custard apple pulp
- 2-3 cups of milk
- 2 tablespoons of condensed milk
- Jaggery - as per taste
For Tempering, you will require:
- 2 tablespoon of Ghee
- 2-3 green elaichi
- Handfuls of cashews and almonds as required
Method of preparation:
- After deseeding the pulp from 2 custard apples, refrigerate the pulp for about 30 minutes.
- Add the milk to a vessel and let it boil.
- Add condensed milk and jaggery to this milk.
- Let it boil for about 6 to 7 minutes. Keep it on a low flame.
- Now pour this mixture onto the pulp.
- Garnish with cashews and almonds in the required quantity.
Summing Up on Custard Apple in Pregnancy
The 'sitafal' fruit, as the name suggests, denotes a "cold fruit" (sheet & fal). That is, it keeps the body cool. During pregnancy, various health conditions such as nausea, morning sickness, diarrhoea, food cravings are common. However, these conditions can be managed well by the consumption of custard apple fruit during pregnancy.
By consuming sitafal during pregnancy, one can find relief in conditions of stress. It also prevents acne and pimples as it is good for skin health. Sitafal is also known to help detoxify the body and regulate blood pressure.
Apart from this, it is also believed that the consumption of custard apples during pregnancy helps to prevent premature delivery. It also reduces the chances of miscarriage and is good for foetal growth. The fruit helps in the development of the nervous system and brain of the baby.
The potassium, magnesium, and copper minerals are quite useful minerals required during pregnancy. A proper portion of custard apple within limits can be consumed on a regular basis. It could solve many pregnancy-related sickness and health issues.
FAQs
What Is the Best Time to Eat Custard Apples?
Custard apples are best consumed at breakfast or lunchtime, i.e., in the morning or the afternoon. This is because it cools the body for the day ahead and also nourishes it with necessary nutrients. Also, it can relieve morning sickness.
Can I Eat Custard Apples Daily?
Since custard apples contain high sugar content, daily consumption of the fruit should be avoided. It may cause excessive weight gain. However, it may be consumed in smaller portions if needed on a regular basis.
Can Feeding Mothers Eat Custard Apples?
Yes, custard apple consumption does not cause harm during the breastfeeding phase. However, since it is a cold fruit, it must be consumed in a moderate portion. Excessive consumption may cause a cold to the baby.
