Can you eat gingerbread when pregnant?

In this article, we are going to answer the question if you can eat gingerbread when pregnant? and we are going to address some questions about diet during pregnancy, health effects, and how to make healthy gingerbread. 

Can you eat gingerbread when pregnant?

Yes, you can eat gingerbread when pregnant. Ginger is recommended when you have morning sickness. If you don’t have any symptoms, you can for sure eat gingerbread but you should watch for your weight gain. 

Gingerbread is often eaten as a snack, you should look for healthy gingerbread options. Be careful with the amount of cinnamon in the gingerbread because you should not eat cinnamon too much during pregnancy. The recommendation is to eat no more than 3 slices. 

Pregnant women can tolerate up to 5 ml of ginger, excess ginger can cause constipation and heat in the body.

In general, you should limit your intake of foods and sweets with too much sugar and fats because too much weight gain can lead to health problems for the mom and the baby 

In a study published in the Acta Medica Iranica in 2007, the result shows that there was a reduction in nausea severity score in the group receiving gingerbread and ginger biscuits compared to the placebo group. Although, the decrease in the number of vomiting was greater in the ginger group. So go ahead and enjoy your gingerbread! 

What is ginger?

Ginger is a plant that is widely used in many products nowadays, especially in food. The root is the part that can be eaten. Is a herb that can be used dried or fresh in cooking or herbal tea. It has been used in Chinese and Indian medicine for so many years. 

The main active ingredient that gives ginger all its properties is called gingerol. Gingerol is highly known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Ginger as part of our daily diet has not been found to have any side effects but you should be careful if taken as a supplement. 

What diet should I follow when pregnant?

In general, when pregnant you should follow a healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. A few nutrients need special attention during pregnancy, like folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids. 

  • Ideally, 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables every day
  • Increase your intake of whole grains and cereal foods. Choose high fiber options
  • Milk, hard cheese, and yogurt are great options because they are high calcium foods.
  • Choose low-fat options and good fats: fats from vegetable sources like almonds, olive oil, and avocado. 
  • Choose lean proteins and choose low mercury fish options. 
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Always stay active

Weight gain should be closely monitored because the mother and baby’s health depends on it. 

How much weight can I gain?

This is a table that can guide you on how much weight you should gain. Remember, that dieting while pregnant is very dangerous. It is very important to always include all food groups. Just limit your intake of sugar and junk food. 

BMI at beginning of pregnancy (kg/m2)Recommended weight gain during pregnancy (kg)
18.5 underweight12.5 -18.0 kg
18.5 – 24.9 healthy11.15 – 16 kg
25.0 -29.9 overweight7.0 – 11.5 kg
more than 30 overweight5.0 – 9.0 kg

What health problems can I have if I weigh too much when pregnant?

If you gain too much weight during pregnancy there are several complications mom and baby can suffer.

  • Gestational Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Complications during birth
  • Baby health 

Gestational Diabetes

You can develop gestational diabetes, you may need to take medication and the mother can develop diabetes even after the baby is born. 

High Blood pressure

You can develop eclampsia and preeclampsia. Both can lead to mother and baby complications and even death. 

Complications during birth 

If you gain too much weight it’s more likely that you end up in cesarean because vaginal birth tends to be more difficult with excess weight. Also, babies of mothers who gain too much weight are usually bigger. 

Baby health 

Moms that gain too much weight tend to have babies with high birth weight and these babies have more risk of being obese and developing diabetes when older. 

How can I make healthy gingerbread? 

To make healthy gingerbread I recommend you use a whole grain flour of your choice and use sugar substitutes such as coconut sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup instead of using regular sugar. Here’s a link to a recipe you can use for healthy gingerbread. 

Other FAQs about Bread that you may be interested in.

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Why does bread give me heartburn?

Can you eat Ezekiel bread with diverticulitis

Conclusion

This article answered the question if you can eat gingerbread when pregnant? and address some questions about diet during pregnancy, health effects, and how to make healthy gingerbread. 

Citation

https://recipeguide.info/pregnant-and-gingerbread-C155584
https://feedmomandme.com/blogs/mama-blog/ginger-during-pregnancy
https://indianexpress.com/article/parenting/health-fitness/should-you-eat-ginger-during-pregnancy-doctor-tips-5972147/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-diet#healthy-eating-for-pregnant-women

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