Ladies who want to have a successful pregnancy should pay attention to their diet and add pregnancy’s best fruits to their meal plan. Watermelon is one of these nutritious fruits! Consuming watermelon during pregnancy provides several health benefits, such as curing common pregnancy symptoms, due to its high nutritional value.
In this article on Hipregnancy, we will cover all you need to know about eating this delicious, water-rich fruit while pregnant, including its benefits, side effects, simple recipes, etc. Keep reading this article to the end to understand how beneficial watermelon is for pregnant women.
Can I Eat Watermelon While Pregnant?
Watermelon is a water-rich fruit, which is delicious and tasty. But can pregnant women add this fruit to their diet? Is it safe? The answer to these questions depends on a few factors, which will be discussed below.
Not only consuming watermelon is not harmful to pregnant ladies, but also it can provide several health benefits. But, if you don’t wash and serve it right, it can cause food poisoning while pregnant. Because, pre-cut fruits, such as watermelon, has a higher chance of being contaminated with bacteria like Salmonella. If you don’t wash a watermelon before cutting it, the bacteria exist on its outside peel, and spreads to the slices with the knife used for cutting.
As a result, it is better to avoid consuming pre-cut watermelon during pregnancy, such as packaged pre-cut watermelon or mixed fresh fruit bowel. You can buy a whole watermelon, wash it thoroughly, cut it, and keep the slices in the refrigerator at 41 F to prevent the growth of bacteria. Don’t forget that you should not consume sliced watermelon, which has been sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
The following parts show you the benefits of eating watermelon during pregnancy and its side effects. So, don’t miss the following parts of this article if you want to know everything about consuming this fruit for pregnant women. In addition, don’t forget to consult your doctor about whether you can have this fruit or not.
Also Read: best foods for first trimester
Watermelon nutrition
Watermelon is a hydrating fruit which is a good source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and carbs. Therefore, eating watermelon during pregnancy can help your body absorb what it needs to stay healthy.
About one cup or 152 grams of watermelon includes;
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Calories | 46 Cal |
| Fat | Less than 1 gr |
| Fiber | Less than 1 gr |
| Protein | 1 gr |
| Carbs | 12 grams |
| Copper | 7% of the daily value (DV) |
| Provitamin A | 5% of the DV |
| Vitamin C | 14% of the DV |
| Vitamin B5 | 7% of the DV |
Also Read: Minimum calories pregnancy
6 Benefits of watermelon during pregnancy
Watermelon is good for pregnancy! Here is a list of common health benefits of watermelon for pregnant women;
- Eases heartburn and acidity
Acidity and hurt burn are two common digestive problems among pregnant ladies due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Consuming watermelon during pregnancy provides soothing effects and can immediately ease digestive problems, especially heartburn and acidity.
Cooling properties of this delicious water-rich fruit help you to get relief from suffering digestive problems right after consuming it.
- Prevents dehydration
Eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water should be your priority during pregnancy. If you drink enough water, you won’t face dehydration while pregnant. Hipregnancy warns you about dehydration because it can lead to tiredness and even premature birth.
The good news is that watermelon consists of more than 90% water; therefore, adding it to your diet can help you to stay hydrated.
For more information about drinking water, visit other article about how much water to drink while pregnant.
- Boosts immunity
Your body changes in several ways when you get pregnant. One of these changes is related to immunity. In other words, your body should fight off infections and diseases for you and your growing baby.
As a result, you need to have fruits and foods that can boost your immunity. Eating watermelon while pregnant is a good option to reach this need! This fruit contains an antioxidant known as lycopene, which can strengthen your immunity and reduce the chances of pre-eclampsia.
Also Read: best fruits for pregnant
- Relieves muscle cramps
You know that your body faces several changes during pregnancy. All you need to do is to help your body cope better with these changes. Consuming watermelon during pregnancy can relieve muscle cramps and pain caused by hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy.
- Reduces constipation
Most pregnant ladies have complained about pregnancy-related constipation. In such a situation, watermelon can be a magic food to help you because it is rich in fiber and water. Consuming watermelon in pregnancy third trimester can promote stool formation, clear the passageway, and create pressure for the bowels.
- Alleviate morning sickness
Pregnant ladies who suffer from nausea or vomiting during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, can enjoy a glass of fresh watermelon juice to cure morning sickness; this is a great benefit of watermelon for pregnant women.
In addition, eating watermelon in pregnancy first trimester can make you full of energy to begin a good day due to its energizing properties.
Benefits of watermelon seeds in pregnancy
Most ladies don’t like to consume watermelon seeds, and you may be one of them. Hipregnancy has amazing news about watermelon seeds for you!
Not only consuming the seeds of this fruit is not harmful for pregnant women, but also, it can provide several health benefits because it contains;
- Vitamin C, which is beneficial for the immune system of the growing fetus
- Vitamin B, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and folate
- Last but not least, healthy fats and protein for the baby’s development.
During pregnancy, you can enjoy non-sprouted watermelon seeds in several ways, including roasted, fresh, and even oil. Trust us! Roasted watermelon seeds can be a crispy and healthy snack for pregnant.
Craving watermelon during pregnancy; boy or girl?
You might hear old wives’ tales about craving fruits during pregnancy. There is an idea about craving fruits, such as berries, oranges, and melon, while pregnant, which shows that most pregnant ladies who had a craving for these fruits gave birth to a baby girl.
There is no scientific proof of this theory, and we cant tell you that it can determine your baby’s gender. It is just an old wives’ tale and it is not based on scientific rules. So, it is up to you to believe this tale or not.
Side effects of consuming watermelon during pregnancy
Although watermelon is a healthy and delicious fruit, it can cause the following side effects if you consume it in excess;
- Gastric issues
Always consume fresh-cut watermelon or drink fresh watermelon juice during pregnancy, because you are more sensitive during this period. Be aware that if you keep this fruit in the open for a long time and then consume it, you will be at risk of vomiting, nausea, and gastrointestinal issues. So, have the fresh types of them in moderation.
- Gestational diabetes
Consuming a moderate amount of watermelon during pregnancy especially in fruit form, won’t put you at risk of developing gestational diabetes. Excess consumption of this fruit in juice form can cause a major change in your blood sugar levels and lead to gestational diabetes.
If you want to know about the best foods you can add to your diet for gestational diabetes, refer to our article about this important topic.
Conclusion
Watermelon can be a good fruit to make you fresh during pregnancy, especially in the hot summer days. Consuming watermelon during pregnancy can be beneficial and also harmful. How? If you eat fresh types of it in moderation, it won’t be harmful for you and your baby. But, if you consume it in excess or not fresh, you face with gastric issues and gestational diabetes.
We covered the most important points you need to know about watermelon and pregnancy.
Now is the time for you to share your ideas and experiences. Did you crave this fruit during pregnancy? What do you think about the old wives’ tale about craving watermelon during pregnancy? Do share your experience wih other moms-to-be.
FAQ
Can watermelon cause miscarriage?
Eating watermelon in moderation doesn’t cause miscarriage, but consuming too much of it can increase blood sugar levels and put you at a higher risk of miscarriage.
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