Oats are usually considered the epitome of healthy food. You have probably eaten it day and night while you were on a weight watchers’ diet, and probably kept on eating it because you realized it is so healthy. Things have, however, changed considerably ever since you saw the two lines in the pregnancy test, and now you are wondering whether you should continue eating oats as you did before. There is so much information flying about regarding every single thing you put in your body that by now you would be feeling wary of anything edible. In this article, we have tried to take a comprehensive look at eating oats- the frequency and the quantity.
Healthy and filling
Oats are good for the pregnant woman for a number of reasons. First of all, it is healthy and very filling, which makes it ideal to deal with the pregnant woman’s frequent hunger pangs. Secondly, it s very rich in dietary fiber, which makes it ideal for the pregnant woman as well since it smoothens digestion and improves metabolism. Therefore, there is no reason why you should not eat some oats every day, as long as you do not overdo your intake and balance it with ample nutritious food.
Nutrition facts
Dry steel-cut oats are widely considered the best variety of oats there are. There are around 4 grams of dietary fiber in one fourth of a cup of oats. Besides, there are 27 grams of carbohydrates, 73 milligrams of potassium, and you and get about 150 calories from a single serving this size. Apart from this, the iron content in this serving size of oats will give you around 10 percent of your daily recommended dose of iron. The iron content in oats helps you to maintain your blood circulation, and also aids in developing healthy blood circulation in the baby.
High fiber content
The high amount of dietary fiber in oats alone is enough to make it a staple in every pregnant woman’s diet. Every pregnant woman is no stranger to the digestive issues that pregnancy brings along with it. Pregnancy is always accompanied by stomach troubles such as constipation and diarrhea, and the high fiber content in oats helps with softening the stool and making bowel movements easier.
Also read: Can I eat Doritos while pregnant?
Provides energy
The pregnant woman is also no stranger to feeling tired, especially as the months wear on and the pregnancy progresses. Oats contain a lot of complex carbohydrates, which convert into energy. Pregnancy does not mean that the rest of the woman’s life comes to a standstill; it only becomes a little more difficult to continue doing a lot of the things, thanks to the tiredness that sets in soon after. A cup of oats in the morning and the evening will provide you with enough energy to go through the day efficiently.
Oats are incredibly versatile, so if eating bland boiled oats is not quite your thing, you can always experiment. Eat the usual oats with fruits and yogurt, or be a little more adventurous and whip up some baked goodness with oats. Oats and banana cookies are great, and oat flour is also a good substitute for all purpose flour.