What are the benefits of dates for pregnant women? Is it possible to eat dates during pregnancy? Not only is it possible, but it is also necessary! Can pregnant women eat dates?

During pregnancy, a woman should be especially careful about her diet. In order to provide the baby with everything necessary for growth and at the same time not gain extra pounds, the expectant mother has to create a menu, taking into account not only her preferences, but also the nutritional value of the products. Dates during pregnancy seem to be a completely safe treat, but this natural sweetness should be consumed in moderation.

Despite their plant origin, the fruits of the date palm are by no means a dietary product and can be compared to sweets in terms of calorie content. Should pregnant women eat dates and how much can they eat without harming their figure and health? Let's try to answer these questions.

The exceptional nutritional value of dates is explained by the large percentage of simple sugars (fructose) and vegetable protein in their composition. In addition, the fruits contain dietary fiber, which has a beneficial effect on intestinal function.

Dates are also rich in vitamins. They contain: ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, B vitamins, including folic acid (B9), necessary for pregnant women. In addition, dates contain many microelements, namely: magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, copper.

Thanks to this, date palm fruits have a number of beneficial properties:

  1. They quickly saturate and give energy, which is important for weakness and loss of strength.
  2. Improves the functioning of the immune system and resistance to viruses.
  3. Strengthen bone and muscle tissue, prevent the development of osteoporosis.
  4. They help maintain a normal level of hemoglobin in the blood and normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
  5. Relieves constipation, stimulates digestion and normal bowel function.
  6. Promote the production of serotonin (the pleasure hormone), thereby helping to fight stress and depression.
  7. They stimulate the production of oxytocin, so they can be used in late pregnancy to prepare the uterus for childbirth.
  8. They normalize water balance and remove excess fluid from the body.

But some of the advantages of dates can become their disadvantages under certain circumstances. For example, for women suffering from diabetes, this product, due to its high fructose content, will do more harm than good, causing a sharp increase in blood sugar levels.

They are also undesirable for pregnant women with excess body weight, as they contribute to weight gain if consumed regularly.

Those who are faced with progressive caries need to know that dates can worsen the situation. The sweet pulp of the fruit forms a plaque on the teeth, which serves as a breeding ground for bacteria, as a result of which the enamel is rapidly destroyed.

Indications and contraindications

The benefits of dates during pregnancy will be maximum if you take into account the indications and contraindications for their use. These fruits are recommended for expectant mothers who:

  • decreased hemoglobin level;
  • weakened immunity;
  • there is general weakness;
  • problems with the gastrointestinal tract (constipation, nausea, heartburn);
  • hypertension;
  • swelling;
  • joint pain, bone fragility;
  • sleep disorders, depression;
  • a history of weak labor.


Dates are also useful for women who have already given birth and are breastfeeding. They help increase the quantity and nutritional value of breast milk. But it is better not to eat dates during pregnancy if the woman:

  • has diabetes;
  • is overweight;
  • suffers from urolithiasis or peptic ulcers, caries, migraines;
  • has a history of bronchial asthma.

An absolute contraindication is an allergy to dates, as well as to paraffin. This substance is sometimes used during pre-sale processing of fruits.

Methods of use

In stores and markets you can buy dried dates, sold by weight or in small packs. Usually they are consumed without pre-treatment, simply washed with water.

Dates can also form the basis of delicious and nutritious dishes. They are used to make jelly, syrup, compotes, and make filling for baked goods. Below are some healthy recipes using dates for expectant mothers.

Fruit snack

To prepare, you will need one orange, ginger in syrup and a few dates. First you need to prepare the fruit. The orange is peeled, cut into rings or slices and placed on a plate. The dates are washed, chopped with a knife and placed on top of the citrus.

Then the ginger cut into small pieces is placed on top of the dates and the snack is ready. This simple dish strengthens the immune system and relieves nausea during toxicosis.

Dates with milk

An unusual and healthy drink is made from dates and milk. To do this, take 5-6 pre-washed dates and 250 ml of milk, put the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

The broth is kept on low heat for another 10 minutes, then cooled, filtered and drunk warm. The drink is not only tasty, but also helps relieve nausea, cope with dry cough and constipation. The remaining fruits after cooking can be eaten.

Date decoction with rice

When pregnant women have an upset stomach, a decoction of dates and rice is useful. It will support strength and improve digestion.

It is prepared as follows: pour 5 dates into a glass of water, bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes. The resulting broth is poured into a bowl, the fruits are pitted and crushed to a mushy state.

Date broth is mixed with pulp and one glass of boiled rice. The dish is consumed when necessary or just like that, as a dessert.

Precautionary measures

In order for dates to bring only benefits during pregnancy, you need to be able to choose and store them correctly. It is equally important to follow the recommended daily intake of the product. Let's consider these nuances in more detail.

Rules for selecting and storing fruits

Dates are an exotic product produced abroad, which requires long-term storage and transportation. Finding them fresh in our country is almost impossible, so let's talk about choosing dried fruits.

On the shelves you can often find dates that have been treated with syrup or overdried. This is indicated by the uneven coloring of the fruit, peeling of the skin, the presence of sugar crystals and cracks on their surface. Such a product will not bring benefits.

Ripe, properly processed and stored dates have a uniform dark brown color, are moderately hard to the touch, and not sticky. There should be no cracks on the skin, indicating that the product was drying too quickly in the oven. Preference should be given to whole fruits with pits.

Once purchased, store the dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before eating, they should be washed with water and scalded with boiling water.

Daily intake of dates allowed for pregnant women

Dates are famous for their exceptional nutritional properties; 100 g of dried product contains about 280 kcal. Therefore, to avoid sudden weight gain, they should be consumed in reasonable quantities.

The amount of dates allowed for expectant mothers depends on the duration of pregnancy. In the first trimester, especially if a woman is diagnosed with a threat of miscarriage, it is better to abstain from this product or eat no more than 2-3 dates per day.

Dates are an oriental sweet beloved by many. Much healthier than regular chocolate or candies, dates saturate your body with nutrients and give extraordinary gastronomic pleasures. Expectant mothers very often want to treat themselves to something sweet, but doctors stubbornly do not recommend getting carried away with pastries and cakes. In this case, dates can be an excellent alternative during pregnancy.

Recent studies have shown that dates have a beneficial effect on the course of pregnancy and the process of childbirth. Why exactly are they so useful, and whether you should eat dates during pregnancy, we will discuss in this article.

Can dates be eaten by pregnant women?

Most pregnant women are very careful about exotic fruits during pregnancy, and rightly so: many of them can cause allergies and cause a lot of trouble for the expectant mother.

But don’t worry about dates - according to many doctors, they are not only safe, but also healthy due to their composition. Dates contain phosphorus and calcium, which are necessary for the body of a pregnant woman, especially during the formation of the child’s skeletal system.

Also, with the help of dates, you can maintain the water balance of your body and recharge your energy. Dates are high in fructose, which promotes breast milk production. If you eat dates just before giving birth, the contraction of the uterine muscles will increase and labor will go faster.

The benefits and harms of dates during pregnancy

Dates help replenish blood sugar deficiency and prevent low blood pressure, which is especially important during childbirth. Due to their high nutritional value, they help quickly restore energy after prolonged physical activity and stress. Dates also contain oxytocin, which helps in the process of childbirth.

In addition, dates contain folic acid, without which normal intrauterine development of your baby is impossible. In addition, folic acid protects the child from possible congenital pathologies.

Many women during pregnancy suffer from toxicosis, which results in a lack of potassium in the body. Dates contain enough of this element to save the expectant mother from nausea and alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of toxicosis. Potassium helps deliver the necessary amount of oxygen to the brain, helps get rid of waste and toxins.

Iron, another useful component of a product such as dates, is responsible for normalizing hemoglobin levels in the blood. Iron is necessary for the expectant mother to prevent the possible occurrence of anemia. In addition to the above-mentioned and other useful substances contained in dates, the exotic fruit boasts an enviable amount of protein, which is practically not found in fruits.

Despite all the beneficial properties of dates, there are contraindications to their consumption in the first place, these are diabetes mellitus and digestive disorders. In other cases, dates are quite safe and healthy for expectant mothers.

In addition to being a snack for tea, dates can be used to make a nutritious smoothie. To do this, the fruits must be thoroughly washed and poured with hot milk. After a short period of time, the cocktail will infuse and be ready for use.

Pay attention to the quality of the dates you purchase. They should not be moldy, have a pungent odor or a suspicious color. It is best to buy dates in trusted places and packaged in boxes.

Paying attention to your diet during pregnancy is the key to the health of both the woman and her unborn baby. It must be remembered that each food product has a certain calorie content and a complex of various substances and microelements that can significantly affect the course of pregnancy. Therefore, you should consume foods, especially unusual and exotic ones, wisely and competently.

This fully applies to dates, which are not rare and are widely available on sale. The fruits of the date palm have the most striking feature - they are very sweet due to the huge amount of sugars (mainly fructose), which determines their high calorie content. According to this indicator, they are comparable to confectionery products, especially sweets.

Benefits of dates

Almost 300 kilocalories and 70 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams of date pulp are very noticeable indicators, which, if the fruit is used incorrectly (excessively), can be of no benefit. However, the high fructose content can be used for its intended purpose: it should become a source of energy. Therefore, it is not for nothing that dates are considered a product that will quickly restore strength when tired, lift your spirits and restore an optimistic mood. Just a few dates a day will be enough for this.

In addition, the unique taste, fruity sweetness and unique combination of microelements can greatly help with toxicosis during pregnancy, especially in the early stages. Two or three dates eaten perfectly relieve attacks of nausea and help regulate digestion.

Vitamins C, A, group B, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, a sufficient amount of dietary fiber - all these components of dates turn out to be very useful for a pregnant woman and the unborn child. Thanks to this composition, dates can even be called a medicinal product, since they have the following effects on the body:

  • ascorbic and folic acids have a stimulating effect on the immune system and help resist infections, and when, for example, colds develop, they inhibit the inflammatory process and lead to rapid recovery;
  • fructose is a source of energy;
  • iron serves to prevent anemia;
  • calcium and phosphorus strengthen the skeletal system of mother and child, prevent the progression of caries and tooth loss;
  • magnesium regulates the state of the nervous system, eliminates mood swings and ensures a positive psychological mood;
  • date fiber helps prevent constipation and regulates the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
  • a complex of microelements is involved in the regulation of water-salt metabolism and the prevention of edema by removing excess fluid.

An equally important feature of dates is their ability to influence the production of oxytocin in the body of the expectant mother. The more dates a woman eats per day, the more oxytocin can be produced, which helps contract the muscles of the uterus. This property is useful only in the last weeks before childbirth, in order to prevent its protracted course. In addition, dates help prepare the mammary glands for lactation.

Are dates dangerous?

Recipe for the occasion::

In addition, the sweet pulp of the fruit forms a film on the teeth in which bacteria begin to multiply. This process aggravates caries and accelerates the destruction of enamel, so you should definitely brush your teeth after eating dates.

It is better not to get carried away with dates if a woman is obese or overweight. The metabolism of carbohydrates may not follow the path of breakdown with the release of energy, but along the path of deposition “in reserve” in the form of fat accumulations.

Stimulating the production of oxytocin and, therefore, premature uterine contractions can lead to undesirable consequences in the first half of pregnancy, especially if it is already threatening miscarriage. In these situations, dates are excluded from the woman’s menu.

We should not forget about the allergic effect of dates on the body. Therefore, those pregnant women who have atopic dermatitis, chronic eczema or bronchial asthma need to replace dates with other fruits or berries.

How to choose and eat dates

In stores, date palm fruits are sold dried (less often dried), often already treated with special syrup or paraffin. It is better to choose dates that do not have a bright glossy shine, uneven color, cracks or peeling skin. Before use, just scald them with boiling water and then rinse with running water.

To get the required amount of fiber, vitamins and nutrients, it is enough to eat 5-6 dates a day. This is the norm for women who do not have any abnormalities in their health and pregnancy. In other cases, it is recommended to consult your doctor about the daily amount of dates. Typically, in the first trimester, 1-3 fruits per day are allowed, and before childbirth - up to 10. It is necessary to completely give up dates in very rare situations.

It is useful to consume these fruits in dried form, since the vitamins are preserved in an undestructed state, but you can also prepare drinks and salads. Here is an example of a fruit salad with dates:

  • Peel one orange and cut into cubes.
  • Wash several dates, dry them, remove the pits, and cut each into halves.
  • Grate a small piece of ginger root.
  • Combine ingredients in a salad bowl.

This salad effectively relieves nausea and normalizes appetite, and also improves mood and gives vigor. Any dishes made from dates will be extremely useful during pregnancy; it is important to use them correctly.

The pregnancy period is a time during which a young mother pays special attention to her nutrition. After all, now she is responsible not only for herself, but also for the developing child.

It is very important to provide the growing body with all the necessary substances. A significant number of such elements can be found in date- one of the healthiest fruits for pregnant women.

General information

Dates have been known for a long time, and their usefulness for pregnant and laboring women is mentioned even in the Bible and the Koran. And in the Far East it is considered the most valuable dried fruit that prolongs youth.

And this is not surprising, because it contains such elements as iron, magnesium, calcium, copper, phosphorus, sulfur, boron, sodium and many other minerals.

The distinctive feature of the date compared to other fruits is that it contains approximately 23 amino acids, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and oxytocin necessary during childbirth.

Moreover, in it a lot of vitamins A, B, C, more than 50% fructose and a significant amount of protein, absent in ordinary fruits.

Dates during pregnancy

Benefits and harms

The list of all the beneficial properties of dates for expectant mothers is endless. Let's name just a few of them:

    1. Beneficial effect on immunity pregnant woman, strengthening bone tissue, eye muscles and teeth, providing energy and cell renewal. Calming effect on the nervous system due to the high content of fructose.
    2. Significant content, which has a great influence on the formation and division of cells during the period of intrauterine development of the baby.
    3. Potassium content in dates provides water balance and helps deliver oxygen to the brain, which prevents attacks of nausea during the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
    4. Boosted by the high amount of iron in dates.
    5. Reduced pressure and maintaining the cardiovascular system.
    6. Protecting the body from osteoporosis and bone fragility, as well as the formation of a healthy musculoskeletal system in a child due to the presence of calcium and phosphates.
  • Beneficial effects of magnesium on the kidneys. To meet your daily requirement for magnesium, it is enough to consume only 2 – 3 dates per day.
  • Maintaining Energy and the process of cell renewal.
  • Strengthening the muscles of the uterus during pregnancy.
  • Elimination and removal of excess fluid in the body.
  • Presence of oxytocin in dates helps the uterus actively contract during childbirth, and also takes part in the production of breast milk and restoration of expended energy.

The only harm from dates is their excessive consumption. Dates - enough high-calorie fruit, which may affect the figure.

Eating dates in large quantities is also contraindicated for pregnant women with a sick stomach and intestines due to the coarse fibers that make up this fruit.

Indications and contraindications

Contraindications for eating dates very little. Pregnant women with kidney stones and gastrointestinal problems should be careful.

Women with bronchial asthma should also use dates with special care, since they are sometimes dried using paraffin, which is not tolerated by everyone.

Based on the beneficial properties of dates, they are recommended for the following problems and diseases:

  • with a decrease in hemoglobin levels;
  • loss of strength;
  • toxicosis;
  • fragility of bones and teeth;
  • at ;
  • with weakened immunity;
  • at ;
  • with impaired vision;
  • for swelling;
  • to prevent good labor;
  • with a decrease in the quantity and quality of breast milk.

Methods of use

Dates are eaten as in kind, having previously washed them with water, and used in preparing various dishes.

Dates are an ancient product with a rich history. It was valued in the countries of the Middle East and Africa, in India and Mesopotamia several thousand years BC. The fruits are depicted on the frescoes of ancient Babylon, they are mentioned in the Bible and the Koran. And all because a small date is a source of great energy and an assistant for those who want to maintain health. But pregnant women are wary of these fruits. This article will tell you whether the fears are justified and how expectant mothers should take the product correctly.

Benefits for expectant mothers

Dates are the fruit of the date palm. They are considered highly valuable. Such palm trees grow exclusively in countries with hot climates, and therefore dates on the Russian table are usually not fresh fruits, but dried - in the form of dried fruits.

Often dates are also called fruits of other plants that, from a biological point of view, are not directly related to date palms. For example, the jujube fruit is often called the Chinese date, but this is an erroneous formulation.

Speaking about whether pregnant women can eat these dried fruits, the answer is always positive - yes, Dates are very useful for women both when planning pregnancy and while carrying a baby. But their use requires some care and compliance with certain conditions.

Speaking about what dates are from a chemical point of view, it should be noted that This is a very high-calorie product, per 100 grams of which there are more than 200 kcal. This means that a woman must be extremely careful - if you eat a lot of dates, you can quickly gain extra pounds, which will significantly complicate the course of pregnancy, the course of childbirth, and the postpartum recovery period.

Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals, which allowed wanderers and heroes of ancient legends to eat only them for weeks in wastelands, only washing them down with water. But at the same time, the date is a real record holder for the glycemic index value, and therefore the product is not suitable for diabetics.

Thanks to its high calorie content dates quickly satiate, satisfy hunger and restore energy balance. This can come in handy during pregnancy, when a woman wants to eat almost constantly, as well as for expectant mothers who work a lot, study and often experience all the “delights” of chronic fatigue and exhaustion. A couple of dates will help you quickly restore strength and feel good and cheerful.

Due to the abundance of glucose, date palm fruits prevent the development of acetonemia and support liver function.

The fruits are rich in B vitamins, especially folic acid. It is necessary at the planning stage of pregnancy and in the early stages, since it is directly involved in the formation of the baby’s nervous system. Scientists have proven that a lack of folic acid can lead to the formation of neural tube defects in the fetus - anencephaly, microcephaly, hydrocephalus, and nonunion of the spinal column. Many such intrauterine anomalies are incompatible with life. And therefore dates are an excellent treat for pregnant women in the first trimester, if there are no contraindications.

Ascorbic acid in the fruit will help maintain the immune system, and all expectant mothers need this, because their immune defense is reduced. Magnesium Containing dates, it will support the nervous system of the expectant mother, help improve sleep and increase stress resistance. Potassium necessary to ensure proper water-salt balance in the body.

It is believed that some plant substances in the dried fruit contribute to the production of oxytocin and the formation of a generic dominant in the later stages, and therefore expectant mothers are advised to use these fruits before childbirth to prevent the baby from carrying the baby to term.

Eating dates gives a woman pleasure. Serotonin is actively produced - the hormone of joy and happiness. Your mood improves, and stress begins to seem like something so insignificant that you don’t even want to pay attention to it.

If a woman suffers from a mild form of gestosis with edema, then Due to the content of calcium salts, dates will help cope with minor swelling- urination increases, the amount of intercellular fluid decreases, swelling disappears naturally.

Dates are also recommended for constipation.. They stimulate the intestinal walls, because plant fiber, passing through the digestive tract, is not digested, it gently irritates the receptors, increasing peristalsis. Eating dates wisely will help avoid constipation and hemorrhoids.

With toxicosis, a woman can relieve an attack of nausea with just one date. The big advantage of the product is that dates almost never cause allergies, and therefore can be included in moderate quantities even in the diet of women with allergies.

Harm and contraindications

There are two main dangers from eating dates - high calorie content and high glycemic index. Therefore, dates are either strictly limited or generally prohibited for women suffering from diabetes of any type, as well as expectant mothers with gestational diabetes. Others whose risks of carbohydrate metabolism disorders are high, but not yet critical, should take dates carefully taking into account the very likely jump in blood sugar levels and only after consultation with your doctor.

The high calorie content of the product is the reason why date palm fruits are not recommended for obese, overweight women and pathological weight gain for the current stage of pregnancy.

Dates should be consumed with caution by expectant mothers who have problems with their teeth. High sugar content means increased risks of caries, and they can only be reduced by proper consumption of dates: after a woman eats them, she needs to rinse her mouth with clean water. In this case, the acidity level will be maintained at a stable level, and pathogenic bacteria, which “respect” the sweet environment so much, will not receive food for active reproduction.

So that there is no harm, a woman without diabetes and obesity should eat no more than 5-7 fruits per day. Exceeding this dose recommended by experts can lead to disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism, diarrhea, digestive disorders, and unjustified weight gain, which will then be very difficult to get rid of.

How to take at different times?

Pregnancy consists of three trimesters. And each of them has its own characteristics, which a woman should be aware of when planning her diet. Dates can have different effects on the body at different times.

1st trimester

In the early stages, it is important for pregnant women to maintain balance, preventing a lack of vitamins and their excess. During embryogenesis, both pose a danger. Therefore, it is very important at the beginning of pregnancy to strictly adhere to the recommended amount of the product, especially if a woman is simultaneously taking multivitamins.

During the first trimester, many nutritionists generally do not advise eating dates, as the woman may gain weight. The production of oxytocin at this stage is also considered dangerous. But for a woman to have a miscarriage due to overeating date palm fruits, you need to eat 10 kilograms of them, no less.

And, naturally, no one can handle such an amount. Therefore, 2-3 fruits, for example, to relieve toxicosis, if a woman loves dates, are acceptable.

2nd trimester In the second trimester, if desired and there are no contraindications, you can increase the number of fetuses to 7 per day.

At this stage, the risks are minimal, and the woman may well enjoy her position and goodies.

3rd trimester

If there is ever a better time to consume this product, it is the third trimester. In the later stages, and especially before labor in the last weeks, dates are a highly recommended delicacy and are considered an important dish in preparation for childbirth. It seems that the hormonal benefits of the product are somewhat exaggerated, but the harm in the absence of diabetes and excess weight has not been proven by medicine.

The only thing you shouldn’t hope too much for is the reduction in labor time that traditional medicine experts promise if a woman eats dates. The time of birth does not depend in any way on food preferences.

How to choose and use correctly?

The oriental delicacy reaches the shelves of Russian stores after being processed in paraffin and sugar syrup. This helps extend their shelf life, but makes them even sweeter than fresh date palm fruits. Experts are sure that. Therefore, when choosing a product, you need to carefully evaluate the skin - if it has cracks, if it is sticky or has a strange shine, such fruits are unsuitable for feeding expectant mothers. Buy the product only from reputable stores, and do not buy dates second-hand from roadside stands and dubious green markets.

Good fresh dates have no signs of mold, unpleasant odor, or bitter taste.

The fruits can be consumed as a separate delicacy, or can be used in cooking, for example, for stuffing apples or adding to cottage cheese casserole. Some include sweet dates in combination with sour berries or fruits in the compote, but do not put sugar in the dish, since the fruits of the date palm generously share it with their more sour “neighbors” in the culinary community.

For more information about why pregnant women need to eat dates, watch the following video.