Chips during pregnancy: benefits and harms

Most women find out that they are pregnant by changing their eating habits. And these oddities manifest themselves in the fact that for some reason future mothers are attracted to products that are considered harmful. As an illustrative example, you can take chips - a salty delicacy, which experts of various profiles has long been included in the "black list". Very often this salty delicacy becomes the most desired product for pregnant women.

Potato crispy plates, lavishly seasoned with salt and spices, have become a kind of symbol of modernity. They are adored by both children and adults. But if for ordinary people, experts allow the possibility of their use on special occasions, then, when it comes to future mothers, they strongly recommend abandoning the dangerous product. Let's try to understand the dangers of chips, how to consume them during pregnancy, without harming the baby.

About the production and composition of chips

Before judging the benefits and harms of a popular product, it is necessary to have at least a general idea about it. On the shelves of stores, buyers see chips in attractive bright packaging. So decorated product as if begs to be bought without hesitation. But it's worth thinking about it. And first of all it is necessary to know what way potatoes go to become chips.

In the view of most consumers, thin plates with a mind-blowing aroma and memorable taste are made precisely from potatoes, which are fried according to a special technology. In reality, things look a little different. Let's consider two variants of industrial production of chips.

Quality snacks are made according to the following technology:

1. Potato tubers are first sorted, then sent on a conveyor belt to the washing machine. There they fall under powerful jets of running water. And the water is pumped at such a high pressure that the peel is separated from the tuber.
2. After the initial processing, the roots are cut into slices less than 2 mm thick.
3. In the next step, the potato plates are dried.
4. After removing the moisture the slices are fried with oil in special ovens at 150-180°C.
5. Food flavorings, colorings and seasoning mixtures are used to improve the taste.
6. At the final stage the cooled chips are packaged in bags or boxes. Packaging for chips is made of materials that do not let moisture and light through.

It should be added that the entire process is automated, so the production of chips today - a fairly profitable business.

Here we want to draw attention to this important nuance, as raw materials for the chips. Many lovers of experiments are trying to cook in the home kitchen crunchy goodies, but not always such experiments end successfully. The reason for the culinary failures lies in the fact that special varieties of potatoes with a high starch content are used in the production of snacks. In principle, if you are lucky enough to buy a variety of potatoes, you can even make homemade chips without salt every day, if your doctor permits it.

An alternative and cheaper variant of obtaining chips
We have described the technology of obtaining quality chips made from natural potatoes. Now let's analyze the features of a more economical way.

Although potatoes are not scarce, some manufacturers use corn flour and soy starch derived from genetically modified (GMO) beans as a base raw material. This starch, once in the digestive tract, is converted into glucose, which subsequently accumulates in the liver and causes obesity.

The second negative factor of such production is the roasting technology. After mixing the above components, they are fried not in oil, but in boiling fat. And several batches of slices are fried in the same portion of fat. This cooking technique increases the risk of developing cancer.

The third drawback is the quality of the fat. For the sake of economy, cheap raw fats are used. Basically, it is in order to maximize profits that manufacturers of low-quality chips do not use varieties of potatoes, because they are not cheap.

These three disadvantages of economical version of the production of chips ensure the availability of the product, which attracts customers and is the key to successful sales. But the quality of such chips does not guarantee that they will be safe for pregnant women.

And the cherry on the cake are flavor enhancers. Modern food production uses monosodium glutamate, a chemical additive that is addictive to humans.

Therefore, all kinds of labeling on the label: "chips with crab, cheese, bacon" and other components, just a clever marketing ploy. The role of natural additives in such chips is played by a chemical mixture called flavoring. In addition to monosodium glutamate, in the chips can be found a few more not very pleasant components that can destroy DNA and provoke the development of malignant tumors.

Therefore, even quite healthy people who want to eat chips, without even knowing it, together with the product will "eat" a hefty portion of chemicals. One can imagine the harm caused to the health of the future mother and the fetus with just one bag of crunchy chips. But one packet is rarely enough.

It's interesting: the first chips appeared in the Soviet Union in 1963. The product went on sale labeled "Crispy potato in slices", and the new delicacy was produced by Moscow Food Factory No. 1.

Can I Eat Chips During Pregnancy

The period of pregnancy in every woman is different. Often it is accompanied by such unpleasant phenomena as toxicosis. But, in spite of feeling unwell, the future mother must for all nine months in the first place think about the health of the unborn baby. From the description of the technology of cooking chips is easy to understand that they do not fall under the definition of "a product for healthy eating.

Any snacks are harmful to humans, and they are doubly dangerous for pregnant women. The main threat that comes from each thin plate is salt. Excess sodium chloride makes a woman thirsty, so she is forced to drink a lot. The result is swelling and kidney dysfunction. This is just one "underwater stone", and there are many such blocks in each packet of chips hidden. But more about that later. In the meantime, let's try to solve the dilemma: to eat or not to eat chips pregnant, if you really want, and at what time they are less dangerous for the fetus.

The early term

It is interesting that with the onset of pregnancy to have a passion for chips, even those women who previously did not use salted delicacy. But it is in the early gestation period, when the laying of all organs and systems of the future child, such taste anomalies are very dangerous. No woman would want the child, whose birth she is impatiently awaiting, to suffer from allergies and developmental defects. Therefore, in the first months of pregnancy, eating chips is very dangerous for the fetus. Preservatives, chemical additives and salt are an explosive cocktail for the fragile little life that is barely born under a woman's heart.

The love of chips can turn into abnormal physical and mental development of the child. Salty delicacy is bad for the health of the woman herself, because it increases the concentration of bad cholesterol, thereby increasing the risk of developing thrombophlebitis and atherosclerosis in women.

Summing up all the above, we come to the logical conclusion: the use of chips in early pregnancy is undesirable, but allowable as a rare exception. At this stage, the expectant mother must form a diet so that there was no bias in the direction of any "chosen" product. It is clear that chips, by definition, can not take the place of a favorite in a woman's menu.

In the late term

When all the difficulties of the first months are behind us, and the baby is increasingly demonstrating its character in her enlarged belly, a woman wants a strict Spartan menu to make a nice adjustment. But for her chips are still on the list of banned products. Let's talk in detail about the main risks.

Again, it's all about salt, which in the late term becomes the culprit of late toxemia (gestosis) and edema in a woman. The most dangerous conditions during this period are eclampsia and diabetes of pregnancy. These pathological abnormalities are equally dangerous to the life of the baby, and to the mother. Before childbirth, it is better to limit the presence of salt in food to a minimum.

Sodium, which is part of table salt, has a bad property - it "pulls" the water, taking it away from the bloodstream. Another danger hidden in a packet of chips is the toxic compound acrylamide, which is formed during the frying of potato slices. This substance has a negative impact on the nervous system of the fetus and can cause defects in the development of its internal organs.

Added to this picture is such a dangerous factor for pregnant women as overweight. Most expectant mothers begin to actively gain pounds in the second half, when the hardships of toxicosis are left behind. Chips are quite a caloric product, and flavor enhancers awaken the appetite. If you add to this bouquet also a large amount of water drunk, then even a small sample of snacks can bring a few extra pounds. It should be remembered that excessive body weight always complicates the course of childbirth.

Useful tip: If you want to eat something salty, it is better to resort to a proven "grandma" method called "salty" pickles. It may seem surprising, but there is very little sodium in canned vegetables.

Of course, there are exceptions to all, even the strictest rules. Once a month, a pregnant woman can indulge in a small portion of crunchy chips. But such indulgences in the diet are possible only in the middle of pregnancy, and necessarily with the permission of the doctor. But the future mother should take into account that any variations in diet can lead to a deterioration in health.

How to eat chips properly

Finally we come to the main question: how to satisfy the desire to eat chips, but without getting negative consequences.

Homemade chips.

The safest option is to cook your own favorite treat in the microwave. Today there is such a clever device in almost every home kitchen, and there are many recipes for every taste on the Internet. The advantage of this option is that the woman herself will regulate not only the cooking process, but also the proportions of ingredients. That is, the whole procedure, in fact, comes down to cutting the potatoes very thinly, seasoning them just a little bit, and then sending them into the microwave. In 7-10 minutes the delicious but almost safe treat will be ready. For frying, it is better to use extra virgin olive oil.

The homemade product may be inferior in taste to store-bought chips, but they are allowed to be enjoyed periodically without fear of harming the health of the baby. This is an ideal option to meet the gastronomic needs of pregnant women.

Choosing the product

If for some reason there is no possibility or time to prepare chips at home, then you should choose the product for snacking, focusing on the following criteria:

1. The amount of salt in the product. Usually on the label the manufacturer indicates the percentage content of each component. According to GOST, the salt content of 1.8-2% is allowed. It is necessary to choose a product with a lower indicator.
2. Shelf life. Here is a very interesting point, because it is by this parameter you can judge the quality of snacks. The shorter the shelf life of the chips, the less preservatives in them.
3. Additives under the code E. Ideally, there should be no such additives at all. But, unfortunately, this is not possible, because every manufacturer is interested in selling their products. And for this purpose, the chips are dyed and saturated with different flavors. Therefore, E-additives have already become a practical must-have attribute of food products. Future mothers should try to choose from a whole range of less dangerous chips.

How much you can eat a day

We have already found out that there are no benefits from fast food, but when you really want to taste the forbidden product, then it is allowed to partially satisfy this desire. To minimize the possible consequences of the use of chips, it is necessary to adhere to the following scheme:

1. In a day it is allowed to eat 10-15 g, but no more.
2. Chips can appear in the diet of a pregnant woman only once a month.
3. Allowed food indulgence only in the second and third trimester.
4. The safest snacks are homemade.

If you follow these four rules, and especially the last point, the expectant mother can make a joyful variety to the strict diet.

Is it possible to eat at night and on an empty stomach

As for the time of consumption of salty treats, it is best to use chips in the middle of the day or after lunch. A small portion of the product will moderate the appetite, replacing a snack. Since store chips contain spices and salt, you should not eat them on an empty stomach. The spices will cause irritation to the gastric mucosa, which can later lead to digestive upset.

For the same reason, you should not eat snacks before going to bed. Chips are a fairly caloric product, so their use at night is undesirable.

Reasons for interest in chips

Doctors explain the need for pregnant women to try salty potato slices by the deficit in a woman's body of two important minerals: calcium and sodium. The fact is that immediately after conception, a woman's body begins to work in a completely different mode. Now the main task for him is to provide everything necessary for the new life. Therefore, to achieve this goal consumes the resources of the mother's body. Hence the lack of mineral elements and vitamins.

In addition, it is important to understand that sodium and potassium are necessary for the woman herself. After all, during pregnancy, there is a sharp increase in the load on the kidneys, heart and blood vessels, which transport nutrients to the tissues.

Sodium is the most important element that is involved in the formation of primary urine. During the blood filtration process, which takes place in the kidneys, sodium extracts excess fluid from the blood. Subsequently, secondary urine is formed from this substance.

The component sodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer, influences changes in taste. In near-scientific circles there is an opinion that this ingredient, when regularly consumed, is capable of forming an addiction or dependence in a person. This is why expectant mothers are so strongly attracted to chips. But the resulting need for these substances can be satisfied by the use of other, safer foods.

This is interesting: The author of potato chips is the American George Kramom. This popular restaurateur at one time reacted in an unusual way to the complaint of a customer who did not like too thickly sliced fries. He ordered his chefs to slice the root vegetables so thin that they would shine. The craftsmen succeeded in the task, thanks to which the chips appeared. This event took place in 1853.

Chips in pregnancy: benefits and harms

Benefits

To assess the harm and benefit of any product should take into account various factors. Regarding the usefulness of eating chips during pregnancy, we can highlight the only advantage - it is the psycho-emotional state of the expectant mother. After all, the inability to satisfy a need can lead a woman in a state of depression. Doctors have noted that the denial of something, especially food, can even cause severe stress or depression. It should be understood that pregnant women have a slightly different perception of everything that happens to them. They literally believe that all food "whims" will benefit the baby. Therefore, some freedom in eating during this period is useful purely for moral satisfaction and maintaining the psychological balance of the woman.

Also with a great stretch to the useful qualities of chips can be attributed a high content of carbohydrates, which are considered a source of energy. After all, you can easily find another product, which has carbohydrates, but no sodium.

The harm

Of course, there are many more negative points in the consumption of chips by future mothers than there are positives. In addition to the disadvantages already mentioned above, it is worth noting the following conditions that are dangerous to the health of the woman and the life of the fetus:

1. Salt in high concentrations disrupts the metabolism.
2. A large amount of sodium impairs kidney function, which turns into edema and other serious problems.
3. Chemical additives form an addiction to this product.
4. Potato chips also contain such unhealthy additives as glycidamide, a strong carcinogen.
5. Acidity regulators and flavor enhancers are poorly absorbed by the digestive system, increasing the risk of gastritis and peptic ulcers.
6. The accumulation of cholesterol fats contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, and increases the likelihood of thrombosis.

Contraindications

In addition to the negative factors described above, the consumption of chips during pregnancy can affect the future child. As a result of observations, scientists have concluded that irregular consumption of snacks with salt can cause the following abnormalities:

• GI abnormalities:
• susceptibility to food allergies;
• Diabetes of the first type (insulin dependent);
• abnormalities of the kidneys;
• connective tissue dysplasia;
• disorders of heart function.

Although this is still a proposal of scientists, but there is every reason to believe that in the near future they will have an evidence base.

Absolute contraindications to the consumption of chips are the following pathological conditions in the mother:

• diabetes of any type;
• edema;
• eclampsia;
• toxicosis;
• diabetes mellitus;
• Gastrointestinal problems.

Conclusion
There is an opinion that a pregnant woman should not deny herself anything. But when you consider all the risks listed here, it's easy to see the price to be paid for one small pleasure. After all, the fragile life of the unborn child depends largely on a woman's behavior during pregnancy. Maternal care does not originate after the birth of the baby, but at the moment of its conception. Only a woman depends on his future health, and in general his whole life, so whether it is worth risking the most expensive for the sake of a short-term pleasure. But in any case, a pregnant woman should not make such serious decisions on her own, such as changing the diet. It is better to consult a doctor and tell him about your food preferences. A specialist will help to solve this issue and advise a less dangerous product than chips.