Kareena's pregnancy dietplan is super healthy!
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has rightfully earned the title of Bollywood's very own 'yummy mummy'. Well into the second trimester of her second pregnancy, the 40-year-old is following all the rules to stay healthy. You will be surprised to know that when she was pregnant with Taimur, her pregnancy cravings wavered on the healthier side.
While the actress loves to snack at regular intervals, like a lot of women, Kareena had the not-so-typical 'bitter' cravings the first time around. In an interview, the actress spoke at length of the way cravings ruled her diet when she was expecting Taimur:
“I’m constantly craving a lot of karelas, which is quite… very different. I really like the taste, I enjoy the taste. Everyone says to add a little sugar to it and the bitterness goes, but I don’t like that. I like that it has a bitter, pungent taste to it. It’s something that I enjoy. And it’s extremely rich in iron, and it’s got so many benefits in it. I’m enjoying all the vegetables – today’s lunch was lauki mutter.
What pregnancy cravings try to tell you
Karela, though one of the healthiest vegetables out there, does not exactly make for a popular pregnancy craving. However, a hankering for bitter food is not uncommon, or mean bad.
Pregnancy cravings arise when your hormones act up and denote a growing need to fill up the baby's nutritional needs. Some cravings can also affect your sense of smell and taste. That's the same reason why craving for a certain food is liked by one woman but can make another pregnant woman nauseous.
But why bitter foods?
As unappetizing as bitter foods sound, wanting bitter foods could be your body's way to act down on hormonal disruptions, control cholesterol or aid a slowed down the digestive process. Craving for sour foods can also signify the same.
Sometimes, a sudden craving for bitter food could also mean the body's natural way of balancing out excess sweet cravings which you might have had, in the earlier months of pregnancy.
More so, it's important to understand that craving for 'healthy' stuff, including leafy greens and bitter foods such as bitter gourd, also supply abundant nutrients and minerals needed for a growing baby. Hence, they might be one of the healthiest cravings of all.
Is bitter gourd good to have in pregnancy?
Bittergourd, or karela, is packed with rich antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which cover up almost any nutritional deficiencies and health problems, such as it tapers down rising blood sugar levels. Other bitter foods such as leafy greens, herbs also contain vitamins like A, B, C and K and aid bile secretion. Good bile production supports liver health and keeps toxins away.
How much is safe to consume?
Bitter foods and greens may be healthy, but much like other cravings, consuming them in moderation is the safest choice. For a healthy pregnancy, a woman must be dependent on a variety of fruits, vegetables, poultry, nuts and seeds and not just one particular food alone.
Similarly, having just one particular craving for a long time can also be a sign of underlying nutritional deficiency which would require attention. Remember to not go overboard.
Are there side-effects to be careful of?
There are some who suggest that eating bitter foods, including karela is the most helpful when consumed in little amounts. But there are some studies which suggest that women may suffer from favism if the bitter gourd is consumed in excess. It could even lead to iron deficiency and harm good red blood cells in the body. A molecule present on the bitter gourd skin,' vicine' may also be sensitive for some women and induce adverse problems like heartburn, toxicity, nausea, muscle fatigue. The same risks exist for bitter gourd juice and the seeds.
Hence, it's best if you consult with a nutritionist beforehand to manage your cravings, and your pregnancy in a better way.