Studies show that the desire to consume chocolate during pregnancy is the most common food cravings women experience. It could be a cup of hot chocolate before bedtime, some chocolate ice cream in the afternoon, chocolate candy anytime day or night, chocolate cake, chocolate milk or cookies with chocolate morsels. But when that craving hits, a pregnant woman's need for chocolate can be undeniable.
The question arises, however, is eating chocolate during pregnancy good for you? And the answers, when weighed against each other, are tipped in favor of "yes."
Why You May Be Craving Chocolate
In many cases, those cravings for chocolate can be easily explained. After all, hormones are undergoing major swings, the body is changing and women face new stresses and concerns as they juggle starting a family and their other life concerns. But sometimes the desire for chocolate during pregnancy indicates a need for something that's missing.
Even while maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy, many women find they are depleted in magnesium, which helps support healthy nerves and muscle functioning, is an important catalyst for fatty acid metabolism and is vital in developing the fetus' brain.
Magnesium also helps ease cramps during pregnancy and menstruation and also helps reduce nausea. It's found in foods like pumpkin, squash, halibut, cooked spinach and, you guessed it – chocolate.
Many pregnant moms will tell you that they listen to their body during pregnancy and let their cravings lead them, within reason, of course. Most OB/GYN physicians would tend to agree.
Did you know that a yen for chocolate during pregnancy could also reveal a need for more iron? It's essential for building bones, relaxing muscles, helping the cells transport oxygen and much, much more. Your doctor will be monitoring your iron levels as your pregnancy progresses, but craving chocolate could be a tipoff that you are in need of more of this vital nutrient.
More Health Benefits of Chocolate
At least 2,000 years ago, chocolate was believed to be a health elixir, and today's medical science is confirming the positive health benefits of chocolate.
A 2008 Yale University study of 2,291 pregnant women who consumed chocolate yielded some surprising results. The study found that women who had consumed five or more servings of chocolate a week during their third trimester of pregnancy were 40 percent less likely to develop pre-eclampsia, a serious hypertensive condition that can be harmful to both baby and mom.
It seems that theobromine, the chemical in cocoa that dilates blood vessels also helps keep blood pressure steady. Eating chocolate during pressure can also be a mood booster. Researchers have long known that eating chocolate boosts the release of serotonin and endorphins, which can help ease depression.
However a 2004 study of 300 pregnant women done by the University of Helsinki, Finland, reveled that women who consumed chocolate every day during their pregnancy had happier babies who smiled more, showed less fear in new situations and were more easily soothed when stressed.
Another reason to enjoy chocolate during pregnancy: Chocolate has powerful antioxidant properties which can help boost the immune system, keep the cardiovascular system strong and fight cancer.
Which Kind of Chocolate and How Much?
The strikes against chocolate during pregnancy have to do with the fact that it contains some caffeine, and many kinds of the chocolate treats you may want to enjoy may be high in fat and sugars.
So, by all means, partake of chocolate during pregnancy, but don't overdo it, and you should be O.K.
Some guidelines to get the most health benefits of chocolate during your pregnancy include:
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/pregnancy-and-chocolate-3679516.html
The question arises, however, is eating chocolate during pregnancy good for you? And the answers, when weighed against each other, are tipped in favor of "yes."
Why You May Be Craving Chocolate
In many cases, those cravings for chocolate can be easily explained. After all, hormones are undergoing major swings, the body is changing and women face new stresses and concerns as they juggle starting a family and their other life concerns. But sometimes the desire for chocolate during pregnancy indicates a need for something that's missing.
Even while maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy, many women find they are depleted in magnesium, which helps support healthy nerves and muscle functioning, is an important catalyst for fatty acid metabolism and is vital in developing the fetus' brain.
Magnesium also helps ease cramps during pregnancy and menstruation and also helps reduce nausea. It's found in foods like pumpkin, squash, halibut, cooked spinach and, you guessed it – chocolate.
Many pregnant moms will tell you that they listen to their body during pregnancy and let their cravings lead them, within reason, of course. Most OB/GYN physicians would tend to agree.
Did you know that a yen for chocolate during pregnancy could also reveal a need for more iron? It's essential for building bones, relaxing muscles, helping the cells transport oxygen and much, much more. Your doctor will be monitoring your iron levels as your pregnancy progresses, but craving chocolate could be a tipoff that you are in need of more of this vital nutrient.
More Health Benefits of Chocolate
At least 2,000 years ago, chocolate was believed to be a health elixir, and today's medical science is confirming the positive health benefits of chocolate.
A 2008 Yale University study of 2,291 pregnant women who consumed chocolate yielded some surprising results. The study found that women who had consumed five or more servings of chocolate a week during their third trimester of pregnancy were 40 percent less likely to develop pre-eclampsia, a serious hypertensive condition that can be harmful to both baby and mom.
It seems that theobromine, the chemical in cocoa that dilates blood vessels also helps keep blood pressure steady. Eating chocolate during pressure can also be a mood booster. Researchers have long known that eating chocolate boosts the release of serotonin and endorphins, which can help ease depression.
However a 2004 study of 300 pregnant women done by the University of Helsinki, Finland, reveled that women who consumed chocolate every day during their pregnancy had happier babies who smiled more, showed less fear in new situations and were more easily soothed when stressed.
Another reason to enjoy chocolate during pregnancy: Chocolate has powerful antioxidant properties which can help boost the immune system, keep the cardiovascular system strong and fight cancer.
Which Kind of Chocolate and How Much?
The strikes against chocolate during pregnancy have to do with the fact that it contains some caffeine, and many kinds of the chocolate treats you may want to enjoy may be high in fat and sugars.
So, by all means, partake of chocolate during pregnancy, but don't overdo it, and you should be O.K.
Some guidelines to get the most health benefits of chocolate during your pregnancy include:
- Choose dark chocolate over white chocolate or milk chocolate since it has the most flavinoids and antioxidants.
- When eating it for health benefits, make sure your chocolate contains at least 70% cocoa.
- Eat your dark chocolate in small amounts of one ounce per day, and do not consume more than seven ounces per week.
- Those watching their weight should avoid highly sweetened blends of chocolate and rich chocolate desserts.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/pregnancy-and-chocolate-3679516.html
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