Can I eat dates during the first trimester of pregnancy?

In this article we are going to answer can I eat dates during the first trimester of pregnancy, what are dates, are dates healthy to eat during the first trimester of pregnancy, what is the risk of eating too many dates, and how can you add dates to your diet. 

Can I eat dates during the first trimester of pregnancy?

Yes, you can eat dates during the first trimester of pregnancy. There is no evidence that dates can be harmful in any trimester of pregnancy. Dates are considered safe and healthy to eat during the whole pregnancy.

Dates are a fruit high in sugar so they need to be eaten in moderation and if paired with some protein such as nuts, almonds or cheese is better to prevent glucose peaks. 

What are the dates?

Dates are a fruit that comes from date palms and are among the sweetest fruits. They are native to the middle east where they have been eating dates for centuries. 

Dates can be sold fresh or dried and are very famous to add to some desserts and salads. Fresh dates are the ones that are most easily found in the United States and they contain more sugar content than dried dates. 

Medjool dates are more expensive than fresh or dried dates because their harvests take more time and work. Medjool and Deglet are the most common varieties of dates that you can find in the supermarket or local stores. 

Are dates healthy to eat in the first trimester of pregnancy? 

Dates are healthy fruit full of fiber and vitamins that you can eat during the first trimester of your pregnancy. Dates are naturally high in sugar and this sugar is packed with plenty of nutrients.

Just by eating 2 Medjool dates or about 48 grams of Medjool date they can provide 133 calories, 36 grams of carbohydrates, and 3.2 grams of fiber. 0.8 grams of protein, and 0 grams of fat. 

The date is a fruit with a lot of natural sugars. Even if sugar in dates is considered healthy, if you have a history of diabetes or glucose control, you need to stay away from dates or eat them in small amounts because they can increase blood sugar. 

They are a good source of fiber and they are considered an excellent fruit to prevent constipation which is very common during pregnancy. Dates also contain a high amount of antioxidants. 

Dates can give you essential vitamins that you need during pregnancy such as folate, vitamin K and iron. 

There is also a well-known benefit of dates. They might help you to induce labor but you don’t need to worry about this if you are eating dates in the first trimester. This fact that has been backed up by science is specifically during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy and you need to eat about 6 dates per day every day. 

Studies have suggested that eating dates help pregnant women to have spontaneous labor and have shorter labor without medication needed. 

What is the risk of eating too many dates? 

If you overeat dates or desserts made with dates you are more at risk of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes doesn’t appear after 20 weeks of pregnancy or in the second trimester. Try to eat as healthy as you can to prevent it from happening to you. 

Try to eat less sugar, if you are eating fruit, pair it always with protein or fats so that your glucose peak is lower. 

There have been a few cases where allergies to dates have been reported. Some signs of allergic reaction to dates are tongue tingling, itchiness, and swelling around the mouth or tongue. If you have a history of allergies or have any of these symptoms, stop eating dates. 

How can you add dates to your diet?

Dates can be added as fresh fruit, dried fruit is the most common way to eat it, and in some desserts. Try to be mindful of dried dates, lose some water in the process and have more sugar than fresh dates. 

You can eat them as the fruit itself paired with some protein, add it to your favorite smoothie or salad or make a super healthy dessert with dates. 

Other FAQs about Dates that you may be interested in.

How many dates can you eat in a day?

How many dates can a diabetic eat in a day?

Can you eat fresh dates on keto?

Conclusion

This article answered Can I eat dates during the first trimester of pregnancy, what are dates, are dates healthy to eat during the first trimester of pregnancy, what is the risk of eating too many dates, and how can you add dates to your diet. 

Citation

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/dates-during-pregnancy#precautions

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/eating-dates-health-benefits-while-pregnant

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