Can I eat Naan during pregnancy?

The pregnancy period is one where your whole body undergoes a sea of change; it is vital that you make sure that you eat healthy during this period and check in with your doctor regularly as well. He would advise you to avoid certain types of food especially red meat or at least cut back on the same when you are pregnant. The gestation period is one where your body will undergo rapid change, from hormonal to physical and along with this; your nutritional requirements are bound to change as well.

For one, you may want to start eating more veggies and avoid red meat and some of the seafood as well; as your body undergoes hormonal changes, it leaves you susceptible to most foodborne infections which is why it is advisable to stick with what you can cook at home. Granted it can be a bit overwhelming at first to migrate towards a healthy vegetarian based diet but a diet that is rich in legumes, whole grains can provide your body with the essential nutrients while ensuring that your baby stays safe. Here are a few reasons as to why you may want to eat more naan during your pregnancy.

Iron: During the gestation period, you are bound to experience weird food cravings and take an instant dislike to others. But it is highly recommended that you include bread like naan and roti as part of your regular diet. For one, it is a good idea to make naan and roti as part of your staple diet and since they are made with fortified or whole grains, they are loaded with the iron that your body so desperately needs, during this period. A lack of iron in your diet can make you feel tired and extremely fatigued. This is why you need to ensure that you eat items such as roti and naans regularly, during this period.

Protein and Vitamin D: Your body requires essential proteins along with Vitamin D; you can go in for rotis and naans made from fortified grains and this should provide you with a ready source of the required vitamins. And you could try out various side dishes to provide you with the required protein you need to go with the naan.

Foliate and folic acid: Foliate and the synthesized variant, folic acid are both extremely essential during the pregnancy period since they can help prevent premature births, low birth weight and help you avoid health complications during the course of your pregnancy. Spinach is a natural source of folic acid and as such, eating palak naan regularly should provide your body with all the essential nutrients and vitamins you need. And for accompaniment, you can go with something that’s not too spicy such as raita or rajma.

Also read: Can I eat Paneer during pregnancy?

These are some of the reasons as to why you may want to eat more naans during your gestation period. You can try making these rotis and naans at home, rather than purchase it from outside and let’s face it, making your own naan is half the fun.