Can pregnant women eat marshmallows? How to make your own marshmallows at home

About the importance good nutrition during pregnancy, news to everyone. The baby takes all the nutrients necessary for growth and development from the mother’s body, which means they have a common table - one for two! But many people have a very vague idea of what and in what quantity should be on this table. This is where numerous myths about a pregnant woman’s diet come from...

Don't overdo it!

First of all, let's touch on the popular belief that a woman expecting a child needs to eat for two.

A person’s energy needs depend on his gender, age, individual metabolic rate, physical activity. Energy costs required to maintain all internal biological processes, are included in the concept of basal metabolism. The required caloric intake changes depending on physical activity. daily ration, spent to cover these energy costs and ensure basal metabolism. For a woman of average height, with normal body weight (about 60 kg), 20-40 years old, lightly occupied physical work, the average calorie content of the daily diet is 1800-2000 kcal.

In pregnant women, the basal metabolic rate increases by an average of 25%. In addition, for the growth of the baby, as well as for normal functioning all structures that support the vital functions of the fetus (placenta, amniotic fluid, membranes, growing uterus) require additional nutrients, energy. Therefore, in the first half of pregnancy, the calorie content of the daily diet remains unchanged, and in the second half it is 2500-2800 kcal.

The accumulation of fat and fluid during pregnancy within normal limits is physiological and necessary to increase volume; blood, the formation of amniotic fluid, providing energy for all processes in the body of a pregnant woman, preparation for childbirth and the birth itself, as well as for the normal course of postpartum period and lactation. Up to 90% of fats are deposited during the first 30 weeks of pregnancy. However, it must be remembered that excess accumulation fat not consumed in the above processes can have adverse influence during pregnancy and childbirth.

There is a definite connection between an increase in body weight and the occurrence of gestosis - a condition characterized by a change in the functioning of all organs and systems expectant mother and negatively affecting the condition of the fetus. Most often, gestosis is manifested by edema, the appearance of protein in the urine, and increased blood pressure.

Following the recommendation to “eat for two,” unfortunately, can lead to the formation of a large fetus (the weight of the newborn in this case is more than 4 kg). During the birth process, large babies experience much greater stress than newborns with lower weight; a large head undergoes greater deformation when passing through birth canal, the probability increases birth trauma. For a woman, childbirth large fruit are also fraught with the development of a number of complications: from weakness labor activity and discrepancies in the size of the fetal head and the bone part of the birth canal to postpartum hemorrhage due to poor uterine contractions.

In addition, with an increase in body weight, tissues lose their elasticity due to an increase in water and fat in them, which results in difficult childbirth.

Finally, the more excess weight you gained during pregnancy, the longer it will take you to lose weight after giving birth. Therefore, weigh yourself regularly 2 times a week.

Being underweight is also bad

Remember: the other extreme - malnutrition - is also harmful to the baby's health. Excessive passion different diets, most of which are unbalanced and cannot provide revenue sufficient quantity all necessary for normal development and child growth substances can lead to a number of serious problems. Chronic malnutrition or a severe deficiency of some essential components of a pregnant woman’s diet can cause defective development of the fetus, the birth of a premature, low-weight baby, and the development of a number of diseases in the newborn; The risk of early termination of pregnancy in such women increases.

What to include in your diet? In the first trimester of pregnancy, there is no need to radically change your diet, especially if the woman has no complaints about her health.

In the second trimester, all organs of the fetus are basically formed, now the baby will grow rapidly. In this regard, the expectant mother has an increased need for nutrients. Most women have a good appetite at this time, and sometimes increased. However, overeating should be avoided. Meals should be divided into larger number receptions, but portions should be small. Try not to exceed the calculated calorie intake. Have a snack better with fruit, instead of sweets, use dried fruits, but also limited, since they are quite high in calories. If necessary, for example, if you are overweight or excessive weight gain during pregnancy, it is recommended to consume low-fat dairy products. It is better to introduce grain bread into the diet, and from cereals - buckwheat, rolled oats, brown rice, millet. Sugar is excluded.

Up to 50-60% of a pregnant woman’s protein needs in the second trimester must be met from animal proteins, of which 25-30% should come from meat, poultry, fish, 20-25% from dairy products, 5% from eggs. . Refractory animal fats should be excluded from the diet ( lamb fat, beef lard, margarines), 30-40% of fats should come from vegetable oils: olive, sunflower, corn.

A relationship has been noted between the carbohydrate content in a pregnant woman’s diet and the weight of the fetus. In order not to create troubles for yourself and your baby due to the “heroic” weight of the fetus, it is recommended to reduce the amount of products containing sugar (jam, sweets, cakes, etc.). General content sugar in the diet of a pregnant woman who is not suffering overweight bodies and endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus, obesity), should be no more than 50 g per day (1 teaspoon contains about 5 g of sugar). At normal weight body before pregnancy and the absence of a sharp weight gain while expecting a child, sometimes you can indulge in sweets based on natural products - agar-agar (a substance obtained from algae), fruit juice. These are pastilles, marshmallows, marmalade.

At the beginning of the third trimester, dietary recommendations for the second trimester of pregnancy remain. However, in the last 2 months before giving birth, a pregnant woman's diet undergoes a number of changes.

The uterus, which has significantly increased in size towards the end of pregnancy, presses through the diaphragm on the stomach, so it is better to take food in small portions, but more often. In addition, due to the general relaxation of the sphincter muscles (circular muscles in hollow, tubular organs, such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, bladder etc.) heartburn and constipation may occur. To prevent heartburn, a rational regimen with the number of meals increased to 6-8 times and a decrease in the amount of food at each meal will help. Food should be chewed thoroughly and eaten slowly. Foods rich in fiber and pectin will help prevent constipation: bread coarse, dried fruits, oatmeal, raw vegetables and fruits. Due to the fact that physical activity decreases, it is necessary to reduce and daily calorie content diet. It is best to reduce the calorie content of the menu through easily digestible carbohydrates, rather than through protein.

Dangerous variety

Another misconception that sometimes arises among expectant mothers is the idea that a pregnant woman can eat anything. Many people believe that pregnancy is the right time to tirelessly pamper yourself with delicacies.

In this regard, it is necessary to emphasize that food is not only a source necessary substances, many products are a source of allergens - substances that can cause allergic conditions and diseases, not only in the expectant mother herself, but in the future - also in the baby. It is especially not recommended to abuse allergenic products in the second half of pregnancy.

There is, for example, a group of products that causes delayed reactions that do not depend on the dose of the allergen. The effect of consuming such products could be called cumulative (accumulating), i.e. with daily consumption of such products, the reaction does not develop immediately, but after some time - for example, by the end of the week. So, an allergen when frequent use becomes the protein of young meat (veal, chicken), lamb, chicken meat. It is better to avoid frying, barbecuing, and strong broths. It is more useful to prepare secondary broths (i.e., after boiling water, drain it, replacing it with new one), vegetarian soups, borscht, cabbage soup. Hypoallergenic meat - pork, white turkey meat, rabbit. It is advisable to use boiled fish; hake, cod, navaga, and ice cod are preferred. Caviar (red and black) should not be overused - leave it as a holiday treat. Protein also has an allergenic potential cereal crops: rye, wheat and oats. When preparing porridges, do not get carried away with semolina. Remember, there are many other excellent cereals: buckwheat, rice, millet, pearl barley and corn. They can be cooked with meat, cabbage, apples, butter (preferably vegetable or melted butter).

The most common allergen is protein cow's milk. If in one day a pregnant woman eats two yogurts, cheese, cottage cheese, two glasses of milk, a glass of kefir, then we can talk about “milk overload.” It is advisable to boil milk; to prepare porridges, use concentrated milk without sugar or powdered milk, and use cottage cheese in the form of cheesecakes or casseroles. Potential for complications daily use squirrel legumes: soybeans, peas, beans.

There is another group of allergens, the effects of which are determined by dose. We are talking, first of all, about orange and red vegetables and fruits. The coloring is due to specific substances that make up these fruits and vegetables - so-called natural salicylates, which are useful only in small doses. IN large quantities they cause allergies. Half a glass of fresh blackcurrant is healthy, but daily consumption of jelly from this berry, pureed with sugar, can cause allergic reaction. Wild berries are traditionally preferred in all diets for pregnant and lactating women. From the point of view of an allergic situation, eating lingonberries, cranberries, blueberries, and blueberries is absolutely harmless (it is better to use fructose instead of sugar). But be careful with dried apricots, apricots, and peaches (it is recommended to use them “by the piece”). All fruits and berries are best used in in kind, and not in jams, jelly, compotes.

Remember: your diet is also your baby’s diet!

Weight gain during pregnancy

During a normal pregnancy, weight gain averages 10-12 kg (range - from 0 to 15 kg).

In the first trimester, a woman’s weight increases by 10% on average, but may not change, and even decrease slightly in case of toxicosis. Until the 20th week, a woman usually gains 2.5-30 kg. The optimal weight gain by week 24 is about 4.5 kg; by week 28, normal weight gain averages about 9 kg. During the ninth month of pregnancy, a woman should gain no more than 1 kg.

Thus, in the first trimester, the average weight gain of the expectant mother is 1.5-2 kg, in the second - an average of 6 kg (about 0.5 kg per week), and in the third - 5 kg. Just before giving birth, at 40 weeks, there may be a slight weight loss. At multiple pregnancy the expectant mother gains 5% more weight compared to women carrying one child.

Just as every woman is individual, so are the course of each pregnancy and all the changes that occur in female body during this responsible and important period.

The rate of weight gain varies individually. Typically, expectant mothers gain about 40% of the total weight gain during the first half of pregnancy and 60% during the second, but it happens the other way around.

Marshmallow is a delicacy familiar to all of us since childhood, which is considered healthy. Nutritionists say that it can be chosen even by people who want to lose weight. It is not for nothing that marshmallow is translated from French, the homeland of the delicacy, as “light wind”. Everyone without exception likes this dessert; its light taste and pleasant consistency will not leave anyone indifferent.

What are marshmallows made from?

The composition of the delicacy recipe familiar to us all includes applesauce and sugar. More recently, manufacturers began to add to these ingredients egg white . The dessert owes its consistency to the addition of agar-agar or gelatin, and different tastes appear thanks to food colorings and additives.

The homeland of the dessert is France. It was the French who were the first to prepare marshmallows in the form we are familiar with, using marshmallows that were similar in taste and consistency as a basis. Thanks to the addition of more protein, the delicacy turned out to be white, light and airy.

The composition of marshmallows may include the following components:

Gelatin. This product is rich in proteins. It is this that gives the marshmallow its jelly-like consistency and makes it dense.
Agar-agar. It acts as a substitute for gelatin; with the addition of this component, the dessert becomes lighter and more porous. Agar-agar has no taste of its own.
Pectin. Thickener plant origin, which is often used in the food industry.

The finished dessert contains no fat, so the sweetness can be an excellent replacement for chocolate and cakes during a diet. The calorie content of the product directly depends on the components included in the marshmallow. For example, if gelatin was used in the recipe, then the resulting dessert will be higher in calories than the same product with agar-agar.

On store shelves you can find various options delicacies: with fruit filling, chocolate and even with nuts and candied fruits. It is better for people on a diet to refuse such a delicacy, since due to its additives nutritional value increases significantly. In most cases, the calorie content of finished marshmallows without additives is on average equal to 300 kcal per 100 grams. At the treats in chocolate glaze it can reach 400 kcal, so before purchasing such sweets while on a diet, you need to familiarize yourself with its composition and choose the type that is most suitable for your diet.

The beneficial properties of the product will vary slightly depending on its composition.

If gelatin was used as a thickener in the product, then this sweetness is perfect for the restoration of bones and joints after injuries. This component has positive influence on digestive system, strengthens the heart muscle. For girls one of beneficial properties gelatin will have its ability restore hair and nails, improve the condition of the skin.
A product to which agar-agar has been added, saturated with iodine, so you can eat this dessert for the prevention of oncology and diseases thyroid gland . It promotes cleansing the body of harmful substances, normalizes liver function.
Pectin is good for the immune system, removes toxins and waste from the body, normalizes blood pressure . Indicated for patients with stomach ulcers and gastritis.

Glucose, which is contained in large quantities in the product, saturates the body with energy and gives a charge of vigor, restores strength after heavy physical activity . And, of course, everyone knows that glucose necessary for active work brain. Marshmallow is a product whose consumption improves mood, satisfies hunger and normalizes work nervous system . One or two marshmallows are enough to stop fluctuations in sugar levels in the body.

Harm from eating marshmallows

Like any other sweet, marshmallows should be eaten in small quantities. This rule especially applies to people who tend to be overweight and obese in various stages.

Who can benefit from marshmallows:

People with diabetes. In the production of marshmallows according to the classic recipe, it is used large number Sahara. As a replacement, you can try a fructose dessert; it is harmless for diabetics;
Patients with carbohydrate metabolism disorders;
If you are allergic to any component of the recipe. This is especially true for dessert additives: nuts, candied fruits and chocolate. For such people, classic white marshmallows without fillings and additives are more suitable.

Is it possible to eat marshmallows during pregnancy?

If the mother does not have allergies or other contraindications, this dessert can be eaten, but in moderation. Some studies have shown that the product can be consumed during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks and improve skin elasticity.

During lactation, you can also eat sweets without fear in order to quickly replenish your energy supply after the birth of your baby and boost your health. general mood. It is recommended to give preference only natural ingredients in the composition, avoid dyes and flavors, so as not to cause allergies in the baby. The safest dessert is homemade marshmallows.

Ideal composition of the treat:

fruit puree;
fructose or sugar;
thickener;
egg whites.

Need to Avoid brightly colored sweets, it is best to opt for white marshmallows without icing and fillings during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Is it possible to eat marshmallows while losing weight?

For marshmallow as an element dietary nutrition There are no contraindications. It is important to monitor the amount of treats consumed when dieting for weight loss. In small quantities it will not interfere with losing excess weight.. There are so few fats in its composition that they do not even have time to be deposited in the body. It is quite possible to use sweetness as an alternative to other unhealthy desserts without harming your figure.

Remember that you different manufacturers Various technologies and recipes for preparing dessert are used, so before purchasing, carefully read the composition of the product and evaluate its calorie content. Of course, marshmallows in chocolate glaze or with filling are contraindicated during a weight loss diet.

If you consume this French sweet in moderation, your mood will always be high and your figure will be in good shape. This is for children healthy treat can be a complete replacement for sweets and cakes, especially since it is good for mood and health and does not harm your teeth.

Many people are interested in how to store marshmallows after purchasing or preparing them in order to preserve their benefits as much as possible. After purchasing it, it is better to eat it fresh, but if you need to store it, it is better to do this in the refrigerator, in a container with a closed lid. With this storage, you can extend the shelf life of the dessert to one month.

About what overconsumption Everyone has heard that sweets are harmful to health, as it leads to problems with teeth, skin and excess weight. But to give up sweets you need to have great willpower, especially during pregnancy.

Sugar, cakes, buns are the main sources of energy, as they contain large amounts of carbohydrates. These products have little benefit, but a lot of calories, which contribute to the rapid weight gain of not only the mother, but also the baby. Giving birth to a high-weight baby is much more difficult. In addition, after the baby is born, he may experience allergic reactions more often.

Currently in production various products containing sweeteners (fructose, saccharin, aspartame). Doctors recommend avoiding such products during pregnancy.

Some tips on how to make a pregnant woman’s diet not only tasty, but also healthy:

replace sweets with dried fruits and candied fruits;
instead of sugar, eat natural honey;
various nuts will be an excellent source of vitamins;
Sometimes you can treat yourself to fruit jelly, marshmallows, marmalade or whole wheat and mixed grain crackers;
compotes of berries and fruits without added sugar will perfectly quench your thirst;
I often crave sweets when I'm away positive emotions. When the body processes glucose, endorphin is produced - the hormone of happiness. Find as many reasons as possible for a joyful mood and the need for sweets will decrease.

You have a terrible sweet tooth, and interesting situation has only increased your love for chocolate and cakes? Or maybe, on the contrary, before you practically did not consume harmful carbohydrates, but during pregnancy you are drawn to them. terrible force? Let's try to figure out why expectant mothers crave sweets so much and what to replace high-calorie sweets and donuts with.

Cakes, buns, pastries - a source of energy due to the content simple carbohydrates. High in calories and very nutritious, they are also absorbed very quickly, but at the same time they quickly cause a feeling of hunger - the body receives empty empty calories, because they instantly turn into fat.

During pregnancy, it is important to review and balance your diet and include more complex carbohydrates in your menu in order to feel full for a long time and satisfy your sweet cravings as much as possible. Complex carbohydrates are various grains that are presented in the form of porridges: corn, oatmeal, millet, rice, buckwheat and many others.

Healthy sweets during pregnancy

A competent combination of products, fruits, berries, vegetables, nuts and other delicacies will help make a pregnant woman’s menu not only healthy, but also tasty!

1. It is much healthier for the expectant mother to prepare healthy sweets at home. Make homemade ice cream from yogurt and fruits, from frozen fruit juice. You can make homemade marshmallows from dried fruits, fruit jelly or a pie with a lot of fruit instead of dough, oatmeal cookies - there are many recipes for safe sweets.

2. An alternative to sugar is honey, but you should use it with caution. It is undoubtedly healthier, but in large quantities it can become a source of allergies.

3. For tea, put in a vase not sweets and cookies, but dried fruits. Dried apricots, prunes, dried apples, raisins are natural products containing vitamins, pectins, fiber, and antioxidants. Alternatively, you can chop them, mix with honey, add nuts - and you’ll get it healthy desserts, which increases hemoglobin and has a beneficial effect on gastrointestinal tract. Only use this sweet mixture should be limited - no more than 1 tablespoon per day.

4. Subject to classic recipes Marshmallows and marmalade can take their rightful place on the table during morning tea.

5. To get maximum benefit from chocolate, please note that pregnant women are only recommended to consume chocolate good quality and with high content cocoa beans However, doctors also warn that chocolate should not be eaten without moderation during this period. After all, this product contains substances that often cause allergies not only in the expectant mother, but also in the baby after birth.

In the first months of pregnancy, you can limit yourself to one or two slices a day, and by the second or third trimester you should completely give up chocolate.

6. Seasonal fruits, berries and sweet vegetables (corn, carrots, beets, large-fruited pumpkins) should become a natural substitute for sweets for you, with the only difference being that you don’t have to limit yourself in fruit and vegetable pleasure. Smoothies and fresh juices, salads, freshly squeezed juices are a refreshing and easiest pleasure that you can pamper yourself with.

- a source of good mood?

During pregnancy, you most often crave sweets not because of the body’s need for glucose, as many people think, justifying excessive indulgence in cakes and sweets, but because of emotional discomfort. Of course, pregnancy is an unforgettable time, but it is also a time of anxiety and doubt.

When your mood drops, it is recommended not to immediately reach for sweets, but to pay attention to foods high in B vitamins (liver, eggs, fish, nuts, meat, brown rice) and magnesium (found in oatmeal, broccoli, rice, beef).

Do things that help relieve stress: listen to music, draw, walk, chat with friends and family. Sign up for swimming classes or yoga for pregnant women - these activities are great for relieving stress and allowing you to relax as much as possible.

Prepared by Maryana Chornovil

Pregnancy is a wonderful time during which you don’t need to closely monitor your figure and, it would seem, you can indulge yourself in sweets. But, naturally, everything should be in moderation. In this case, the question arises sharply not in terms of a slender waist or the occurrence of caries - we're talking about about the health of the unborn child.

Is it possible to eat sweets during pregnancy?

It can be very difficult to cope with the desire to buy yourself something tasty - there are a lot of sweets and chocolates on the shelves, but other than extra calories, there is no other benefit from similar products No. From eating such food comes speed dial weight, which leads to an increase in body weight of both mother and baby. In this case, giving birth to a baby is much more difficult - it is often required surgery, and the baby may become the owner of allergic reactions.

The first trimester is very important for both organisms - organ formation occurs, therefore future mommy must strictly monitor what she eats. Of course, if it’s really unbearable, a small chocolate bar will save the situation, but no more. At strong desire the amount of carbohydrates consumed should not exceed 450 grams daily. It should be remembered - amniotic fluid When they become sweet, the baby really likes them, and he swallows them with pleasure.

It's best to replace sweets complex carbohydrates, and let the chocolate be bitter.

In the second trimester, you should also not overuse sweets and buns, but it is better to completely eliminate all kinds of jams and preserves. You can successfully replace sweets fresh fruit and vegetables. Bananas, citrus fruits and apples are very useful.

The third trimester involves almost complete failure from flour. Such foods, in addition to weight gain, contribute to the appearance of edema, and some mothers may develop preeclampsia. The use of dried fruits and honey is allowed, but closer to childbirth you should not eat the second product, because it can provoke allergic reactions.

Many women, until pregnancy, do not disdain products containing sweeteners (fructose, asparkam). When conception occurs, it is better to refuse such delicacies, because this can also lead to the onset of allergies.

What sweets can pregnant women eat?

So, sweets do not always only cause harm. Being a source good mood, they must be present in daily diet pregnant. Compliance simple rules consumption will allow a woman not to gain weight and get the necessary beneficial microelements.

1. Homemade sweets

Do-it-yourself treats are much healthier than regular store-bought treats.

You can make your own marshmallows, fruit jelly or oatmeal cookies without added sugar or, for example, yogurt ice cream. Natural juice in the freezer it will turn into popsicles, which even children will like.

2. Nuts

Very useful for pregnant women. In addition to being a sweet substitute, they contain fatty acids necessary to maintain health vascular system. However, you shouldn’t get too carried away with them either; you can consume no more than 30-40 grams per day.

3. It is better to give preference to dried fruits

Being natural products, dried apricots, prunes and raisins contain fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. There can be many options for consuming such products: you can add them to a salad, yogurt, or mix them with nuts and honey - the resulting sweet dessert increases hemoglobin and has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract.

4. Chocolate – only bitter

The choice should be made in favor of only good quality chocolate with a high content of cocoa beans. Of course, you can’t eat the whole bar - you need to divide it into several meals.

5. Marmalade and marshmallows

The classic varieties of these sweets, without the addition of dyes and other “chemicals”, are perfect for tea.

During pregnancy, a woman experiences mood swings, which she tries to “eat up” with sweets. In order not to harm yourself and your baby, you need to eat the “right” foods, alternating them with activities you enjoy.