A balanced diet while pregnant can support a healthy pregnancy and minimize the chance of health issues. Fruits should be a part of your pregnancy diet, but only the safe ones. Kiwi fruit or Chinese gooseberry is one of the safe fruits for pregnant women. Eating kiwi while pregnant provides several health benefits to mom and the unborn baby.
In this article on Hipregnancy, we will over the top points regarding consumption of kiwi during pregnancy, which can help you make decisions for including kiwi in your pregnancy diet based on science. Let’s start!
Is kiwi safe while pregnant?
When it comes to pregnancy, particularly diet, there are a lot of dos and don’ts. Pregnant ladies should eat healthy and nutrient foods and avoid consuming unhealthy foods. It is good to take a look at Weston A.Price pregnancy diet to see what you should include in your diet while pregnant.
Pregnant ladies are advised to consume best fruits for pregnancy, as they are packed with essential nutrients needed to promote their overall health and required for the development of the fetus. What about kiwi fruit? Can kiwi be taken during pregnancy?
Yes, it is generally considered safe to consume kiwi while pregnant, as long as you wash them thoroughly before eating. It is recommended to eat kiwis in moderate quantities. Moreover, you should avoid pre-cut kiwi, due to the risk of being contaminated with harmful bacteria.
There is another fruit that is similar to kiwi in terms of the inner texture and presence of black-colored seeds. Can you guess its name? Let us tell you. It is dragon fruit or pitaya. To learn more about it, check dragon fruit while pregnant.
Nutritional value of kiwi fruit
Kiwi is loaded with essential minerals, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants; however, it is low in fat and sugar. Consuming this nutrient dense fruit can promote digestion, strengthen the immune system, prevent birth defects, etc.
The following table shows the nutritional profile of one medium-sized kiwi;
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Calories | 42 |
| Total fat | 0.4 g |
| Vitamin C | 64 mg |
| Vitamin A | 3 mcg |
| Protein | 0.8 g |
| Potassium | 252 mg |
| Fiber | 2.1 g |
| Folate | 17 mcg |
| Iron | 0.2 mg |
Benefits of kiwi while pregnant
Here are some health benefits of consuming kiwi during pregnancy period, including;
- Kiwi during pregnancy first trimester
Including kiwi in your pregnancy diet in the first trimester offers several health benefits, as it is rich in folate, vitamin C and calcium.
Preventing neural tube defects, increasing the absorption of iron, preventing anemia, improving the baby’s brain development, as well as muscle and heart, are main benefits of eating kiwis in the first trimester.
- Kiwi during pregnancy second trimester
This fruit is rich in vitamin A, dietary fiber, and zinc, that are required mostly in the second trimester of pregnancy. Having kiwi in the second trimester of pregnancy can improve digestion, cause smooth bowel movement, prevent constipation, maintain the fetal immune system, and maternal night vision.
- Kiwi during pregnancy third trimester
Since kiwi is a low glycemic index fruit, it can control and manage your blood sugar levels, particularly in those with gestational diabetes. This fruit contains vitamin K, which can promote healing and help the blood clot. Vitamin K is vital during third trimester, as your body needs a sufficient levels of vitamin K for the delivery day.
How many kiwis should I eat a day while pregnant?
Too much of anything during pregnancy can have a negative impact on your health, and the unborn baby as well. For instance, eating too much blueberry while pregnant can trigger allergic reactions, result in digestive issues, and increase insulin sensitivity.
So, you should have any foods or fruits in moderation while pregnant. Since each pregnancy is unique, we can’t definitely say how much kiwi you should eat while pregnant. It is best to consult your doctor and ask about the adequate amount of kiwi for your body.
However, it is generally recommended that pregnant ladies should not eat more than 2 or 3 kiwi fruits per day. If you see the signs of digestive issues or allergic reaction after consuming kiwi while pregnant, stop eating this fruit and seek help from your provider.
Side effects of kiwi fruit for pregnant
Overall, the chance of health issues and allergic reactions after consuming kiwi during pregnancy is rare. However, if you have this fruit in excess, you may develop the following issues;
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Rashes in the moth or tongue
- Asthma
- Hives
- Latex allergies
Hipregnancy recommends you stop consuming kiwi if you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms. To be on the safe side, avoid excessive amount of kiwi to prevent health issues and have a free-risk pregnancy instead.
Is consuming kiwi while pregnant good for constipation?
Often, pregnant ladies experience constipation, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, when the fetus is heaviest and put the most pressure on the bowel. Consuming fiber-rich fruit like watermelon, blueberry, and strawberries while pregnant, can help with pregnancy constipation. What about kiwi?
Kiwi is one of the best fruits that can increase bowel movement and help with pregnancy-related constipation. It can be a good option for those with irritable bowel syndrome. (To learn more about this issue, check IBS during and after pregnancy)
Do you want to know why kiwi is good for treating constipation? Let us tell you. Kiwi has a high level of dietary fiber, which can reduce constipation. Moreover, it contains actinidin, an enzyme aiding in the digestive process. Because of these two reason, consuming kiwi during pregnancy is a great way to get rid of constipation.
How to eat kiwi fruit in pregnancy?
There are some healthy ways to enjoy kiwi fruit while pregnant. Do you want to know these ways? If yes, take a look at the below list;
- You can have kiwi smoothie during pregnancy or add kiwi to other fruit smoothies. Check best pregnancy smoothies to know which type is safe for you.
- The other healthy way to enjoy this fruit is a kiwi jam.
- Adding chopped kiwi to your fruit salads is considered safe.
- You can eat kiwi with yogurt during pregnancy. It’s yummy!
- Try kiwi puree with grilled fish or chicken.
- Use kiwi pulp or juice to make popsicles.
Craving kiwi while pregnant; boy or girl?
Generally speaking, there is no scientific evidence to prove that pregnancy food cravings can help you determine the gender of your unborn baby. There are just old wives’ tales about food cravings that say;
- Craving dairy, sweets, and fatty foods are signs of giving birth to a baby girl,
- And craving salty, protein-rich, and spicy foods are signs of giving birth to a baby boy.
As you see, craving kiwi which is sweet, juicy fruit falls into the first category, which means you might give birth to a baby girl. Since, there is not enough evidence to prove the link between the gender of your baby and pregnancy cravings, Hipregnancy recommends you visit an ultrasound technician to check the gender.
Conclusion
Kiwi fruit is high in essential nutrients, and consuming it can support a healthy pregnancy. Having kiwi while pregnant can lower the risk of neural tube defects and aid in fetal brain development. However, eating excess amounts of it, can cause allergic reactions.
Hipregnancy covered all the vital points you needed to know regarding kiwi and pregnancy in this article. Hope you enjoyed it! If there is any missed point or unanswered question, do share it with us via comment.