Ragi happens to be a cereal grown in many Asian as well as African countries. It has indeed several health-related benefits for expectant women. It can be eaten by making roti of ragi flour or as porridge, acai, dosa or kali.
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Is ragi good to consume during pregnancy?
One can find out after reading the health benefits of ragi for pregnant women.
1. High Content of Calcium:
Ragi is rich in calcium content. Calcium can help in the teeth and bone development of the child. The baby’s essential source of nutrition is from the mother, so sufficient calcium content should indeed be present in one’s body and one’s diet. Calcium also does help in the strengthening of teeth, bones, and nails.
2. Has Natural Fat Content:
It is better to avoid food containing that contains excessive fat during pregnancy. It results in issues such as diabetes, hypertension as well as heart diseases. Ragi has natural fat in it, which is indeed good for health and does not lead to excessive weight gain.
3. Rich in Fibre Content:
Ragi flour is rather good for pregnancy because it does contain high amounts of fiber. Hence it does help in preventing problems related to bowel movement as well as constipation.
4. High amounts of Vitamin C:
Enriched with Vitamin C, ragi do help in the absorption of iron from one’s body and also cures anemia. Expectant mothers must have adequate red blood cells considering the fetus receives blood primarily from the mother. Vitamin C also does help in delivering a healthy child.
5. Helps in Dealing with Insomnia:
Expectant women do find it hard to sleep peacefully at night. If one ate ragi, one can get a sufficient amount of sound sleep at night. The amino acids in ragi are a tryptophan which does help in dealing with insomnia.
6. Releases stress:
Most pregnant mothers do suffer from psychological problems related to stress which can eventually lead to depression. The amino acids in ragi can indeed help in releasing stress. Hence, include ragi in one’s diet during one’s first trimester of pregnancy to stay stress-free.
7. Helps in Reducing the Risk of Gestational Diabetes:
One of the risks during pregnancy is the increased chance of getting gestational diabetes. Ragi has polyphenol, which does help in reducing the risk of gestational diabetes. Doctors recommend eating ragi during pregnancy for this reason.
8. Does Not Contain Gluten:
Some women are indeed prone to severe allergy and also adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. Ragi is gluten-free and also completely safe for consumption during pregnancy. In case one is allergic, one needs to avoid food that can cause irritation. Foods free from gluten does help in keeping the unborn baby safe.
9. Helps Aid Milk Production:
The mother has to indeed produce milk for breastfeeding after giving birth to the baby. Ragi does aid the process of milk production as it is rich in calcium, amino acids as well as iron. If one is planning on breastfeeding one’s child exclusively, one should consume ragi during pregnancy.
10. Helps in Controlling the Level of Cholesterol:
Abnormal level of cholesterol in one’s body during pregnancy can result in hypertension and also reduce the chances of normal labor. Lecithin and Methionine in ragi are efficient in regulating the level of cholesterol in one’s body.
11. Rich Source of Various Minerals:
Ragi does contain various minerals in it such as calcium, iron, etc. These minerals are indeed essential for the development of the baby during one’s pregnancy. One can also plan a diet chart containing ragi during the first trimester of pregnancy after consulting one’s nutritionist or doctor.
12. Helps in Supplying Protein to Various Parts of the Body:
Protein is indeed required in surplus amounts during pregnancy. It also does help in the development of the fetus. Ragi is in fact one of the most important foods for vegetarians, as they do help meet the protein requirement of one’s body.
Ragi is not only beneficial to women during pregnancy; it has in fact several health benefits after delivery as well. It does aid in cell and tissue repair and is a good source of energy. Ragi and ragi flour is good for pregnancy and is integrating it into one’s diet.