Can you eat onion bhajis when pregnant?

By TheWholePortion
Page last updated: 05/09/2022 | Next review date: 05/09/2024
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In the following text we will answer the question, “can you eat onion bhajis when pregnant?” we will get to know the origin and composition of onion bhaji along with its nutritional value. We will also highlight the fact “is onion bhaji healthy for pregnant mothers and if not then what are the side effects of eating it during pregnancy”.

Can you eat onion bhajis when pregnant?

Yes, you can eat onion bhajis when pregnant. If onion bhaji is deep-fried in oil, then you need to eat them in moderation. Deep-frying adds a lot of oil into the finished product and this oil intake is harmful for so many reasons e.g increase in weight gain, risk of cardiovascular diseases, and risk of diabetes etc.

Onions and chickpea flour add a lot of vitamins and minerals in bhajis that are essential and healthy for pregnant mothers.

What is onion bhaji and what are the healthy ways to make it?

Onion bhaji is a very popular Indian dish made by mixing onions, gram flour, and spices mixed and then deep-fried in oil. Onion bhajis are a popular snack item in India.

Despite deep frying you can adopt a healthier version of eating onion bhaji by air frying or baking. These methods take a very minimum amount of oil which makes the onion bhajis healthy.

What is the nutritional value of onions?

Onions as the most important ingredient of onion bhaji are used in abundance. Onion contains about 98% of the water, and the rest of the portion contains the following nutrients. 100 g of onions contain the following nutrients

Nutrients Amount per 100 g
Energy 40 kcal
Carbohydrates 9 g
Protein 1.1 g
Sodium 4 mg
Potassium 146 mg
Vitamin C 12%
Vitamin B65%
Magnesium 2%

Chickpea flour is added in large amounts in onion bhaji so it is important to know about the nutritional value of chickpea flour.

Nutrients Amount per 100 g
Energy 387 kcal
Fat 7 g
Carbohydrate58 g
Protein 22 g
Sodium 64 mg
Potassium 846 mg
Iron 27%
Vitamin B625%
Magnesium 41%

Does onion bhaji have any health benefits?

Onion bhajis contain two main ingredients: onions and chickpea flour and these two ingredients show health benefits.

  • Onion is a rich source of vitamin C which helps in immune health collagen and tissue formation and the main function of vitamin C is to help in iron absorption.
  • Onions are high in fructans, which are beneficial soluble fibres. Fructans are prebiotics that are beneficial for the good bacteria in the gut.
  • Folate is present in onion bhajis which are essential for the growth and development of the child. Taking a recommended amount of folate reduces the chances of neural tube birth defects in children during pregnancy.
  • Potassium has a blood pressure-lowering effect and eating potassium-rich foods in pregnancy reduces the risk of preeclampsia.
  • According to a 2015 assessment, increasing consumption of allium vegetables is linked to a lower risk of cancer, particularly malignancies of the stomach and gastrointestinal system.
  • Chickpea flour is low calorie as compared to regular flour. It is healthy and good if you are cutting down your calorie intake during pregnancy.
  • Chickpeas have a GI of 5-6, so they are considered low glycemic index foods. And that means it raises the blood sugar more gradually than white flour.
  • Chickpea flour contains more protein than other flour, such as white and whole wheat flour.

Onions also contain many other important plant components. Some of the important ones are mentioned below

  • Quercetin and anthocyanins act as an antioxidant and it prevents free radical formation which prevents the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
  • Sulphur compounds present in onions protect the body against cancer. Thiosulfinates are sulphur-containing compounds that act as antimicrobial agents and also help prevent the formation of blood clots.

What are the health risks of eating onion bhajis?

  • FODMAPs are fructans, which can induce unpleasant digestive symptoms in people who are sensitive to them, such as those who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • It is possible to get allergic symptoms after handling or eating onions, either immediately or several hours after contact.
  • Onion bhajis contain a lot of oil in them as they are deep-fried and increased oil intake leads to obesity and CVD.

Conclusion 

In the following text we answered the question, “can you eat onion bhajis when pregnant?” We also get to know the origin and composition of onion bhaji along with its nutritional value. We also highlighted the fact “is onion bhaji healthy for pregnant mothers and if not then what are the side effects of eating it during pregnancy”.

References 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10395608/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24345983/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21079693/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4366009/

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