Parsley in pregnancy: benefits and harms

Pregnancy is a period that makes every woman think about her own diet. Expectant mothers want to eat right, so that the baby is born strong and healthy. But sometimes even the safest products can cause harm, so you need to control your diet with special responsibility. It is known that the baby, being in the womb, is fed at her expense. The food that the mother consumes affects the baby. At this time, a woman should choose products rich in vitamins and calcium, so that the fetus develops without problems.

Unfortunately, some fruits and vegetables that a woman used to eat throughout life, during pregnancy can bring not only benefits, but also harm. Recently, there has been a lot of controversy regarding the consumption of parsley during pregnancy, and there is no unequivocal answer from experts until now.

Is it possible to eat parsley during pregnancy

Parsley is a spice that is popular not only in Russia, but all over the world. This product is available for purchase, as thousands of gardeners grow parsley in their gardens. In the store, the price of this delicacy is also low. Today, parsley is used as a healing addition to various dishes. It is used when they seek to make dishes rich in vitamins.

But a pregnant woman should fully understand that parsley is a product that significantly accelerates the metabolism. This factor can affect the growth and development of the fetus and even lead to extremely unpleasant consequences.

Interesting fact! In ancient times, herbalists used parsley as one of the components of the abortifacients. It was on its basis that potions were made, capable of provoking a quick miscarriage. This is one of the reasons why parsley should be used with caution.

In the early term.

Parsley is quite a valuable product. It contains many essential substances and vitamins, and this is one of the reasons why the plant has such wide popularity around the world. The abundance of vitamins and trace elements is practically invaluable for the body of a pregnant woman, as these substances are necessary for the growth and development of the child.

Due to such a number of useful components in the mother and unborn baby strengthens the immune system. The fight against harmful factors of the world around is greatly simplified. Fungus and infection can no longer penetrate the protected body so easily, and the chances of giving birth to a healthy baby are greatly increased. Such beneficial effects greatly reduce the risk of fetal abnormalities, which is why pregnant women are advised to take as many vitamins as possible.

But the vitamin-rich parsley also has a downside. The fact is that the substances in its composition activate the musculature, which can lead to muscle spasms. Spasms that affect the internal layers of the organs are often the cause of miscarriage. The greatest danger is the consumption of large amounts of these greens in the first weeks of pregnancy.

Doctors say that eating parsley in the early term is not prohibited, but it should be done in moderation. You can add a small amount of spice to a dish, but it is recommended to use it not more than once a day. In this case, parsley will be a great addition to a salad or soup - a small pinch of herbs a day will not hurt. At the same time, it is important to monitor the reaction of your own body - at any sign of cramps, the use of parsley should be discontinued.

In the 2nd trimester

The middle of pregnancy is a rather difficult period for a woman. It is at this time that many expectant mothers notice serious digestive problems, as well as complete or partial loss of appetite. It is known that the quality of nutrition is important for the growing baby's body, so the mother should always find a way to eat right, even if her condition does not allow it.

A small child, whose body is formed in the womb, needs to receive a full range of vitamins and minerals for full development, and in the second trimester of pregnancy a woman needs to pay special attention to her digestive system. Parsley is just that product, which is able to stabilize the work of the organs and to bring to the body of the mother and the child a lot of necessary substances.

Of course, even at this stage, it is strictly forbidden to abuse parsley. The fact is that the abundance of substances in this spice can lead to severe cramps, and a growing child in the stomach can get developmental disorders. Parsley can be eaten several times a day in small portions, preferably added to vegetable salads. At this stage of pregnancy, you should reduce the amount of parsley consumption to one fifth of a bunch.

In the second trimester, the woman should also monitor the reaction of her body to the consumption of the product. If after eating parsley, the future mother feels bad, she should immediately stop eating herbs and consult a doctor. Overdose can lead to terrible consequences, including affecting the health of the unborn child.

Important! Women who are pregnant are strictly forbidden to drink juice squeezed from parsley. Such a drink can cause hypertonicity, which will lead to a premature birth or even a miscarriage at a high gestational age. Also the drink will lead to the development of fetal abnormalities. It should be understood that such juice should not be drunk not only in the late, but also in the early terms, because the danger remains at any stage of pregnancy.

At the late term

One of the common problems that almost every pregnant woman faces in the late stages of pregnancy is anemia. The greatest danger of this pathological condition is for the unborn child, as this disease can cause severe oxygen deprivation in the fetus and even death. In order to maintain a normal level of hemoglobin in the blood and, accordingly, to exclude the possible risks of oxygen starvation of the child, experts recommend using herbs. The fact is that such products are rich in a variety of micronutrients that can stabilize the blood and eliminate the development of serious diseases in the mother and child.

Also, the substances contained in the greens will help the future mother to cope with another serious problem. The fact is that the substances in the composition of parsley can improve the condition of teeth, hair and nails, which noticeably deteriorates in late pregnancy. Also, these substances help to reduce swelling and stabilize fluid absorption by the body.

Exactly as in the previous stages of pregnancy, there are restrictions for the consumption of parsley by an expectant mother. It is recommended to eat no more than one fifth of a bundle of the plant per day, and if the pregnancy is severe, this amount should be reduced. Excessive consumption of the vitamin product can lead to increased uterine tone, and as a result, a woman risks losing her baby or provoking a premature birth.

How to consume parsley correctly

Parsley is a plant that has become widespread throughout the world. It is her dacha owners with such trepidation gather at the end of each summer, tie in large green bunches and take to their urban apartments. This green product contains a whole collection of vitamins, minerals and other useful elements necessary for the body at any age. As a rule, parsley is consumed as a spice to various dishes, both hot and cold. It is eaten fresh, chopped for storage for a long time, added to pickles.

The therapeutic effect of parsley

Back in ancient times, people discovered the miraculous medicinal properties of this plant and since then have been actively using the spice to get rid of many ailments. This product helps all people, regardless of gender and age, that's why it received such popularity among folk healers. Also, the green plant is used for cosmetic purposes and is even an integral part of many modern cosmetics.

The fact is that all the elements of parsley contain a huge amount of essential oils needed by the human body. Also, parsley contains vitamins and trace elements, it can be used as a disinfectant. For example, many dachshunds still use the plant to rid the mouth of bacteria.

Pregnant women need parsley because it contains almost the entire complex of vitamins, including folic acid and iodine. But it is necessary to consume parsley in moderation, so as not to get negative results and negative consequences.

How much you can eat per day

The best and most useful way to use parsley would be to add this spice to ready meals in the form of a spice. For example, parsley is ground and sprinkled with the resulting powder in soup or salad. The most vitamins are contained in fresh herbs, so it is more useful to eat them directly from the garden. Of course, you can also find fresh and high-quality parsley on the shelves of stores or in the market, but the product from your own garden will bring much more benefits at least because the gardener knows what substances were used to fertilize the soil.

Fifty grams of parsley a day can make up for vitamin deficiencies in full. It is when this amount is consumed that the human body receives all the necessary elements, while significantly reducing the likelihood of side effects. Do not use parsley in large quantities - there will be little benefit from such an overdose, and the body's reaction can be completely unpredictable even in a perfectly healthy person.

Important! The amount of greens that can be eaten daily depends directly on the state of health of the person. It is worth to monitor closely the reaction of your body and at the first signals of disorders immediately stop eating parsley and consult a doctor.

Is it possible to eat parsley at bedtime and on an empty stomach?

Parsley is, of course, a useful product, but its consumption should take place wisely. Many people wonder at what time of the day it is better to eat this herb, is it possible to eat it at night and on an empty stomach?

Experts say that it is best to eat this product enriched with vitamins and minerals in the daytime. The fact is that the use of parsley before bedtime can provoke an unpredictable chemical reaction in the stomach, including bloating. Despite the fact that greens are very useful, you should eat them no later than an hour before going to bed - only in this way increases the likelihood that all the vitamins will be absorbed and there will be no harm to your health.

Also, you should not eat delicious greens on an empty stomach. Although this food is not caloric, you should at least drink a glass of water before eating it. Of course, a salad, flavored with fragrant greens, eaten during breakfast, will not bring serious harm, but the body at this time of the day is not yet ready for rapid absorption of vitamins. It is recommended to have an oatmeal or cereal porridge for breakfast and only then turn your attention to the green spices.

The optimal way to use parsley would be to add it to dinner dishes - for example, in chicken or mushroom soup, as well as in vegetable salad. At this time, the body is ready to assimilate healthy elements, and parsley can produce a positive effect on human health. But even in this case you should limit the amount of consumption of the product, because only the intake of greens in moderation can really saturate the body with useful substances.

Can the stems be eaten?

There is a misconception that only parsley leaves are suitable for eating. In fact, this is completely different. Parsley stems are no less useful than leaves, although many people almost immediately send them to the trash.

Parsley stems, like the usual leaves of this plant, have all the vitamin complex and can produce beneficial effects on the body. Some cooks have even invented their own recipes for the use of this part of the greens.

Recipe 1
Rinse the coarse stalks of parsley, remove the remains of soil and sand, remove the soft leaves - they will be useful for preparing a salad or other dish. Next, chop the stalks with a knife so that they fit into a meat grinder. Grind the stalks through a meat grinder, collect the resulting pulp in a bowl. Add some garlic and salt to the pulp to taste. Now you can add it to dishes along with the parsley leaves.

Recipe 2
Put salted lard through a meat grinder, add the parsley stalks and garlic. For taste add a little pepper and other spices, mix the resulting mass thoroughly. Such a mixture can be used for making sandwiches.

Recipe 3
Parsley stalks are often used in the process of boiling potatoes. It is enough to add the stems a few minutes before the dish is ready. The spice will give the potatoes a special and bright flavor. You can add a few cloves of garlic to enhance the flavor.

Is it safe to eat blooming parsley?

According to the vast majority of gardeners, flowering parsley is a product unsuitable for eating. The fact is that the greens in this state lose their taste properties and useful qualities. Of course, gardeners know how to deal with parsley blossoms as long as possible, but they do not recommend adding them to dishes.

Experienced cooks have found a way out of the situation and use flowering parsley in dried form as a spice. This product is added to dishes in minimal quantities, so as not to harm the human body. When using dishes, in the creation of which such an unusual spice was used, it is important to monitor your own state of health - if an unpredictable reaction was found, you should immediately consult a doctor, and the use of the spice should immediately stop.

The benefits of parsley during pregnancy

If the green spicy herb is consumed correctly, it can bring great benefits to the body of a pregnant woman and her future baby. In the composition of these greens can be found a huge number of antioxidants, which are simply necessary for proper growth and development.

Regular consumption of parsley in small quantities helps to saturate the body:

1. Vitamin C, which helps activate protective functions in mother and baby.
2. Folic acid, which is considered the most "pregnant" vitamin and ensures the proper development of the baby in the womb.
3. Ferum, which affects the circulation of the mother and her unborn child, and also adjusts the cardiovascular system.
4. Phosphorus, useful for the brain and bones of the woman and her baby.

The presence in the diet of parsley and products with its addition can get rid of a whole complex of such possible health problems as:

1. Sudden increase in body temperature as a result of environmental exposures.
2. Increased excitability of the nervous system and the occurrence of stress.
3. Diseases of the cardiovascular system and the likelihood of their occurrence.
4. Pathologies of the joints and bones.
5. Inflammations.

Parsley during pregnancy is recommended to use not only internally. It is known that this product has a beneficial effect when applied externally, for example, in the form of decoction or pulp. Such a mixture is applied to swollen areas. Chewing parsley is also recommended by dentists - it eliminates the bad smell in the mouth, gets rid of harmful bacteria and whitens the teeth.

Can parsley harm the future mother?

Despite all its useful qualities, when consumed in excess, parsley can cause harm to the future mother and her baby. Therefore, doctors and nutritionists recommend limiting the amount of the spice to one fifth of a bunch per day.

A woman may have an individual intolerance to the components of the spice, resulting in the risk of allergic reactions, including the appearance of allergies in the baby. If the first signs of such a reaction are detected, consult a doctor immediately.

Eating large amounts of parsley can lead to an increase in muscle tone. This is dangerous for both the mother and the baby. The fact is that additional muscle contractions affect the inner layers of tissues, including the area where the baby is growing. When hypertonicity develops, the likelihood of miscarriage and the birth of a stillborn child, as well as the premature separation of fluids, increases several times.

The danger persists at all stages of pregnancy without exception, so a woman should strictly monitor the amount of spice eaten. In medicine, there are almost no cases in which moderate consumption of greens led to terrible consequences, so the main thing - treat your diet with care and attention.

Any expectant mother knows that she is responsible for the life and health of her baby. The baby should get all the necessary complex vitamins, which is also important for the mother. Parsley is just the right product that can provide not only a savory taste of the dish, but also the intake of all the valuable substances in the body of the mother and child.

If a woman correctly calculates the amount of parsley in her diet and will not abuse her favorite delicacy, most likely, the product will only bring benefits. It is important to understand that every body is individual, so the optimal amount of greens should be selected based on its characteristics. Only a responsible approach to the diet of the mother will allow her to give birth to a healthy baby.