Are Tomatoes Good To Eat During Pregnancy?

Are you pregnant? Have you yet consider consuming tomatoes during pregnancy by now? If not, let us go over the benefits that these vegetables bring to you in this amazing period of your life.

Tomatoes, also known under the scientific name as Solanum lycopersicum, are originated in Mexico and are cultivated in Europe for hundreds of years because they have a sweet taste, but also because they bring lots of benefits from many points of view.

These vegetables, consumed both raw and cooked, can be of red, yellow or purple color, all varieties offering essential nutrients for the organism.

The medical world`s interest for the positive effects of tomatoes is mainly due to the content of lycopene, an antioxidant which helps the organism combat the destructive action of free radicals, which attack health cells and eventually produce various forms of cancer.

Is Fresh Tomato Good for Pregnant Women?

Tomatoes are among the most essential fruits offering health benefits and vitamins that our body need. It`s safe to consume them during pregnancy, but just like with anything else, over-eating isn`t recommended. Tomatoes not only that offer iron, lycopene and vitamins A and C, but they also help the baby develop and promo complete body health.

Is It Good to Eat Raw Tomatoes during Pregnancy?

As already mentioned, tomatoes contain a lot of vitamins A and C. This`s mainly because this type of vitamins along with beta-carotene function as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals in the bloodstream. Free radicals in the blood are considered harmful because it might damage the cells. Keep in mind, the redder is the tomato you are consuming, the more beta-carotene it`s in it. Additionally, you want to remember that processing a tomato destroys the vitamins, so it`s best if they are consumed raw. – More details!

Are Cherry Tomatoes Good for You?

Cherry tomatoes represent miniature versions of these vegetables, but they`re just as nutritious. Additionally to the 20 mg of vitamin C, 1.3 g of protein and 1.8 g of fiber in a cup of cherry tomatoes, you`ll get lots of other minerals and vitamins that are very important for you and your baby`s health.

Is Tomato Sauce Good for a Pregnant Woman?

Tomatoes provide healthy minerals and vitamins, but might also lead to indigestion or heartburn. Tomatoes or foods based on these vegetables, like marinara sauce or ketchup, may lead to indigestion because of the high acidity level. During pregnancy, you`ll want to avoid indigestion, so excessive consumption of these vegetables isn`t recommended.

What Are the Health Benefits of Tomatoes?

Tomatoes aren`t only extremely beneficial during the summer (they protect the skin against UV), but also from many other points of view.

Maintaining a healthy skin – Tomatoes helps the skin to maintain its esthetic aspect. Beta-carotene from these vegetables, which can also be found in carrots or sweet potatoes, has a protective action on the skin against the harmful action of UV. Also, the content of lycopene slows the skin`s process of aging and reduces the risk of cancer.

Strengthening the bones – Vitamin K and calcium, two nutrients provided by tomatoes that are excellent factors of strengthening and regenerating bone tissue. Lycopene was proven to be useful for improving bone mass, which is an excellent way of preventing osteoporosis.

Reducing the risk of cancer – All the important antioxidant from tomatoes, lycopene, has been associated in many specialized studies with a reduced risk of onset of prostate cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer, pharyngeal and esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer and ovarian cancer. Antioxidants from tomatoes, especially vitamin A and C, combat the damages produced by free radicals on the healthy cells of the organism.

Regulating the glucose level in the blood – Tomatoes are a rich source of chromium, a mineral which regulates the level of glucose in the blood and inhibits the cravings for sweet foods.

Improving sight – Vitamin A from tomatoes improves the accuracy of sight and prevents the diseases associated with it. A scientific approach has demonstrated that a regular consumption of tomatoes reduces the risk of macular degeneration, a serious and irreversible medical condition of the eyes.

Maintaining the hair`s health – Due to the fact that they provide significant amounts of vitamin A, tomatoes are also responsible for maintaining the hair`s health, helping it to remain shiny and strong.

Preventing renal and biliary diseases – Doctors have discovered a strong relation between the consumption of tomatoes and a reduced susceptibility of developing kidney stones and gallstones, especially if the tomatoes are eaten without seeds.

Reducing the intensity of chronic diseases – Persons who suffer of recurrent chronic pains produced by diseases, such as arthritis, can find relief by eating tomatoes every day. Bioflavonoids and carotenoids from these vegetables are efficient anti-inflammatory agents, acting as natural painkillers.

Losing weight excess– Due to the fact that they contain a high amount of fibers and water, tomatoes help in losing extra weight, especially because they are low in saturated fats and calories. Therefore, they rapidly induce the sensation of fullness and improve digestion, helping to detoxify the liquids they offer. Additionally, they stimulate the production of a hormone known as leptin, which is responsible for controlling the appetite, regulating the metabolism and reducing the excess of weight.

Nutritional Values

A portion of ripe tomatoes have around 150g and is an excellent source of vitamin A, C, K, folic acid and potassium. – Visit this link!

These vegetables naturally contain small amounts of sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol or calories. For this reason, they are recommended in a healthy diet as well as in weight loss diets. They contribute in regulating body weight and reducing the blood lipid levels.

Tomatoes also provide thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus and copper, all of these necessary for an ideal health. All 150g of fresh tomatoes provide 2g of fibers, which represent 7% from the recommended daily dose. The nutritional values for 150g of tomatoes are:

• Calories – 26.8 kcal.
• Protein – 1.3 g.
• Vitamin A – 1241 IU (international units).
• Vitamin C – 18.9 mg.
• Vitamin E – 0.8 mg.
• Vitamin K – 11.8 mcg.
• Thiamine – 0.1 mg.
• Niacin – 0.9 mg.
  Vitamin B6 – 0.1 mg.
• Folate – 22.3 mcg.
• Pantothenic Acid – 0.1 mg.
• Colina – 10 mg.
• Betaine – 0.1 mg.
• Fat – 0.3 g (0.1 g polyunsaturated fat, 4.5 mg omega-3, 119 mg omega-6).
• Calcium – 14.9 mg.
• Iron – 0.4 mg.
• Magnesium – 16.4 mg.
• Phosphorus – 35.8 mg.
• Potassium – 353 mg.
• Sodium – 7.5 mg.
• Zinc – 0.3 mg.
• Copper – 0.1 mg.
• Manganese – 0.2 mg.
• Fluor – 3.3 mcg.
• Phytosterols – 10.4 mg.
• Water – 141 g.