1. Benefits of eating eggs during pregnancy
Because they are full of quality protein and essential nutrients, eggs are a great choice to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women .
Eggs contain 13 different vitamins and minerals, both omega-3 fats as well as antioxidants, and are a rich source of quality protein, which is essential for your baby’s healthy development.
Eggs contain a variety of vitamins including vitamin A , which supports healthy eye and skin development and contributes to a healthy immune system. They also contain other important nutrients for pregnancy such as iodine, folate and iron.
Eggs are also high in choline , a nutrient that plays an important role in the development of the brain and spinal cord during pregnancy. In addition to folic acid supplementation, consuming choline during pregnancy may reduce the risk of neural tube defects . However, choline is rarely found in prenatal multivitamins, so it is important to consume foods that contain choline such as eggs.
Eggs provide protein, strengthen the immune system, and provide choline to help the metabolic processes of cells, the brain and nervous organs perform their functions, and also support the transport of nutrients. The substance travels throughout the body, supporting the fetus in the first 3 months to avoid defects and develop the brain.
In addition, eggs also help improve memory, prevent skin aging, strengthen the digestive system and have many uses in beauty.
2. Note how eating eggs is beneficial for pregnant women
Eggs are an especially nutritious food for pregnant women, so pregnant women can enjoy eggs every day throughout pregnancy in a healthy balanced diet that includes a variety of foods, protein from lean meat, chicken, vegetables, fruits and whole grains…
During pregnancy, eating eggs helps meet daily nutritional needs, but women with gestational diabetes or high LDL cholesterol should note that the Heart Foundation recommends limiting egg consumption to 7 eggs per day. week.
Eat eggs properly
- Make sure all egg dishes are thoroughly cooked. Avoid raw eggs in foods like aioli, homemade mayonnaise, cake batter or mousse. Supermarket mayonnaise is usually safe because it is heat-treated to kill any harmful bacteria.
- Check the best before date on the egg packaging before eating.
- Avoid choosing eggs with cracked or dirty shells.
- Store eggs by placing them in a box in the refrigerator.
- Eggs should not be stored with other foods, keep them separate.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after preparing eggs.
- It is best to eat egg dishes immediately after cooking. Leftover eggs must be carefully stored in the refrigerator and should not be kept for more than 24 hours.
Beware of salmonella infection from eggs
Raw eggs can contain salmonella bacteria . This type of bacteria is found in abundance on eggshells and inside eggs. Therefore, if we eat raw eggs or prepare them improperly, such as not washing eggs or poaching undercooked eggs, we can easily be poisoned. In particular, pregnant women are susceptible to poisoning and have a more severe risk than normal healthy people.
Typical symptoms of acute poisoning include: abdominal pain, cramps, fever, chills, diarrhea , muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, signs of dehydration, bloody stools… Double strains of salmonella bacteria when causing infection in urine, blood, bones, joints or nervous system (spinal fluid and brain)… very dangerous.
Be cautious of the risk of egg allergy
Eggs are one of the foods that easily cause allergies . Allergy symptoms after eating eggs include: abdominal pain, digestive disorders, rash, respiratory problems, and rarely anaphylactic shock.
Most allergenic proteins are found in egg whites. Therefore, egg white allergy is more common. The best treatment and prevention is not to use eggs in the diet if there are signs of egg allergy. If pregnant women are not allergic to eggs, eggs should be consumed during pregnancy as part of a varied and balanced diet that includes a variety of healthy and nutritious foods.