How to make pregnancy-friendly healthy fruit juices?
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
Pregnancy is a meaningful phase and requires an additional intake of vital vitamins and minerals. A pregnant woman must take a healthy diet to ensure the growing embryo is not nutrient deficient. In an attempt to make healthy choices during this phase, pregnant women are advised fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean protein, and healthy snacks to keep hunger pangs at bay.
Most pregnant women take supplements to meet their daily nutrient requirements too, but nothing can replace fruit juices. Healthy snacks’ option sounds good but often zeroes down to the consumption of high-carbs or fats. Moreover, specific fruits and fruit juices can contain higher amounts of sugar content and other nutrients, which could, in fact, be challenging to handle at a later stage. An easy way to combat this is by opting for healthy juices.
Here are six healthy pregnancy juices you can easily make at home using juicers or high-performance blenders.
Orange juice
One of the most popular juices is orange juice. It is also an easily accessible juice. It is packed with vitamin B-6 and potassium. It also boasts of vitamin C, which can aid the baby’s bone health.
Recipe:
1-2 ripe oranges
- Soften the oranges to soft press the pulp. You can softly press the orange in your palm or roll it across the kitchen table.
- Slice the orange and remove the seeds.
- Squeeze the juice in a glass.
Add some ice and drink it up!
Grape juice
Filling in magnesium requirements during all the pregnancy trimesters is crucial. Grape juice is an excellent choice for this and helps prevent cramps. It has powerful antioxidants that help boost immunity and essential fibers that cure constipation.
Recipe:
1 large bunch of grapes
- Wash the grapes in cold water to rinse off the pesticides used (if any). You can also soak them in water for approximately 2 hours.
- Now add the grapes to a blender, along with ½ cup of water. Blend this well.
- Strain this puree using a mesh strainer.
Add this to a tall glass. You can also add salt for additional flavor.
Apple juice
Another highly recommended juice is apple juice. It strengthens the immune system, promotes skin health, and helps lower cholestrol levels. However, it may raise blood sugar levels. You can limit the juice to half a glass per day.
Recipe:
3-4 apples
- Start by cutting the apple in quarters and removing the seeds.
- Add the pieces along with ¼-½ cup water in a blender and blend for approximately 40 seconds.
- Now put this pureed apple in a strainer and let the juice drain into a glass.
Garnish this nutritious juice with some mint leaves and sip it on!
Pomegranate juice
Pomegranate juice boasts of vitamin C that helps absorb iron in the blood, it helps prevent constipation, and the folate content further prevents any possible neural tube defects in the embryo.
Recipe
2-3 pomegranates
- Cut off the crown of the fruit using a knife, and cut the fruit into quarters.
- Gently press out the pomegranate arils into a bowl.
- Add the arils into a juicer and blend.
- Now pour the juice into a strainer.
Transfer this juice into a glass. You can add salt and have it fresh.
Pear juice
Pear juice contains folate, potassium, and fiber. It helps cure constipation, which is common during the prenatal period. Potassium further regulates cell regeneration.
Recipe:
2-3 juicy pears
1 tsp lemon juice
- Cut the pears into manageable pieces.
- Add them into a blender along with ½ cup of water and lemon juice.
- Now strain the contents into a glass using a mesh strainer.
Add this juice to a glass along with a few mint leaves, and some ice.
Strawberry juice
Now, this is a tasteful option. It is a yummy delight during pregnancy and is packed with vitamins A and E that aid healthy skin and eyes; magnesium that helps fight free radicals, and endorphins that control mood swings.
Recipe:
12-14 fresh strawberries
2 tsp sugar
- Cut the strawberries into halves.
- Run the pieces into a blender, along with sugar and half a cup of water.
- Now, strain the contents using a mesh strainer.
Empty the contents into a glass, add a pinch of salt, and have fresh!
Fruit juices act as excellent food choices during pregnancy. Apart from the ones mentioned above, you could also include peaches and lime juices in your daily diet. Diluting fruit juices is not recommended, but on the brighter note, diluting aids the juices to be digested better. It is suggested that you consume fruit juices early in the morning to absorb the present nutrients in the best way possible; vegetable juices, on the other hand, can be consumed at any time of the day. However, ensure to consume juices 30-40 mins before meals.
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Remember, fruit juices do not substitute wholesome meals. In other words- avoid fruit fast during this phase. Consume these juices in adequate portions along with a healthy and nutritious diet to provide the fetus with the essential nutrients it requires. On further assistance on other beneficial juices, you can check with a doctor.
Author BIO
Emylee is a wellness lifestyle writer. She loves sharing her thoughts and personal experiences related to natural remedies, Ayurvedic, yoga and fitness through her writing. She currently writes for How To Cure. She can connect with others experiencing health concerns and help them through their recovery journeys through natural remedies.