5 Benefits Of Chocolate When Pregnant
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Have you been told to stay away from chocolate now that you are pregnant? Are people saying that it will harm your unborn baby? Well not to worry it is perfectly safe during pregnancy for almost all women.
“To be honest I eat chocolate every single day of my life and I’ve been doing so for many years. I ate it straight throughout my pregnancy and while I’m breastfeeding. I absolutely love it.” Ps I also drink milo daily.
Take note that you are allowed to eat chocolate, but you should eat it in moderation. This is due to the traces of caffeine found in it. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that a pregnant woman should decrease her daily dosage of caffeine. It should be no more than 200mg. Your GP or doctor will also say the same. The reason is that caffeine can affect the blood flow to the fetus in a negative way and result in preterm labor.
So if your doctor advises you to stay away from chocolate and caffeine rather be on the safe side. Save it for another day or year or give it to someone else.
I have listed 5 benefits of eating chocolate during pregnancy.
1. Better Mood
It is a mood booster and many people use it as a form of self-medication. It has so many health benefits. Before you go and shop take note that dark chocolate is on top of the list with the most benefits. It is proven that it contains serotonin (a neurotransmitter that improves the mode, enhances better sleep and reduces stress and pain). This is everything that a pregnant women needs to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy journey. Bring the chocolate!
2. Lowers Risk Of Preeclampsia
Some women develop the risk of getting preeclampsia during pregnancy. This is caused by increased blood pressure and a protein found in urine. It can lead to premature birth, early labor and or other complications. A study found that eating dark chocolate delivers favorable levels of blood pressure.
3. Bye Bye Stress
It diminishes stress hormones! A test was run on people with high levels of stress. They were told to eat chocolate for several days and had a significant drop in their stress levels. There is also a previous study that found that it can help fight heart disease and lower risks of getting cancer.
4. Controlled Weight Gain
During pregnancy a woman can have numerous cravings. Each of these cravings will play a role on your health and weight. I also had an intense sweet pregnancy craving. The positive thing is that chocolate doesn’t contain a lot of calories. It ensures healthy and slower weight gain. We all want to be able to eat what we want and not really gain weight.
5. Welcome Antioxidants
Dark chocolate contains flavanoids which are important antioxidants that are anti-cancer and anti-viral. It is proven to contain more antioxidants than any other fruits.
INTERESTING FACT :
A 100-gram bar of dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa contains the following :
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6, B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Copper
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- It also contains thiamine, riboflavin, potassium, phosphorus, selenium and many more. Extremely nutritious!
My favorite brand is of course Lindt. Delicious!
Go Grab That Slab!
The bottom line is to follow the guidance of your doctor to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy. But if you get the go ahead and crave a block of your favorite chocolate, go for it.
