Pregnancy is when we begin to be more conscious about our health and the food we eat. Therefore, eating a healthy and nutritious diet including ingredients like butter during pregnancy is very important. It is linked to good brain development and healthy baby birth weight. It can even reduce the risk of many congenital disabilities.
A balanced diet will reduce the risks of anaemia and other unpleasant pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue and morning sickness. Pregnant women are known to have peculiar cravings, and looks forward to having flavourful meals. Butter is one such ingredient that can add a new dimension of flavour to any dish. But many doubt whether it is safe for pregnant women to have butter during their pregnancy.
This article will talk about all you need to know about consuming butter during pregnancy — is it safe, what are the benefits, and what are the risks involved.
Is it safe to have butter during pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe to have butter during pregnancy to a certain extent. However, it is recommended to avoid having butter in case the expecting mother has a history of lactose intolerance or any allergic reactions to dairy products.
Benefits of Consuming Butter During Pregnancy
There are a lot of benefits of butter if taken in the correct quantity by pregnant women. These benefits range from physiological to keeping her mood in a good state.
- Regulate Cholesterol Levels in the Body: The fatty acids present in butter are not only healthy for the body but also act in controlling the levels of cholesterol in pregnant women but make sure that it is consumed in moderation. Women with LDL or high cholesterol levels should not consume more than one teaspoon of butter during pregnancy.
- Reduces Stress: A pregnant woman undergoes many emotional changes due to hormonal variations. As we know, they become too sensitive or get angry too fast for no reason. It is said that during pregnancy, whatever the mothers think will directly affect the mental health of the baby. So it is essential for pregnant women to be happy and stress-free by seeing life positively. The flavonoids present in some butter, like the almond butter, help in reducing oxidative stress and mental anxiety during pregnancy.
- Provides Energy: During pregnancy, a lot of energy is extended by the body, causing you to feel constantly tired and overwhelmed. Butter is an excellent source of quick energy and contains vitamin D, E, and K. These vitamins help absorb essential nutrients from the body. Make Sure you don’t add more than a teaspoon of butter to your daily diet.
- Help With Skin Problem: Pregnancy comes with many hormonal and physical changes which can make one look dull and tired. Butter is an excellent source of antioxidants and helps replenish the cells and bring back freshness to your skin.
- Help in Brain Development of the child: Intake of Vitamin E is significant during pregnancy. Vitamin E helps to support the fetus’s brain development, which keeps progressing rapidly. Butter is a good source of vitamin E, folic acid and fatty acids, which improve brain growth.
- Control hormone levels: The variations in hormone levels, to an extent, can be controlled by the consumption of butter.
- Healthy Bones: Butter also contains reasonable amounts of calcium and helps in the development of the bones and teeth of the baby.
- Development of muscles: Butter contains saturated fats that are good for the body and help develop the muscles of the baby.
Before grabbing a cube of butter, you must also know the harmful effects it could have on you and your baby. Below, we have provided some health concerns butter could raise.
What are the Risks of Eating Butter During Pregnancy?
Butter is generally beneficial for pregnant women, but it may be harmful to the mother and the baby if the consumption is not regulated. As we all know, As fat is one of the primary constituents of butter, one should be careful about including it in their pregnancy diet. In addition, if a pregnant woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes or if she has a history of heart-related problems, it’s always better to avoid eating butter which can further aggravate the condition. Obese and overweight women should also cut down the consumption of butter as they are at higher risk of gaining even more weight, which can cause health and pregnancy complications.
It’s always recommended to consult your gynaecologist/nutritionist for any change in the diet if you have any history of health conditions since the health of the pregnant woman and her baby becomes the priority.
