Is Grapefruit Safe During Pregnancy?

It’s important for women to be careful about what they put in their bodies while expecting. An unborn baby gets all its nutrients from its mother, and so diet plays a huge role in the baby’s development. Likewise, a healthy diet – one that includes a proper balance of fats, carbs, protein, water, vitamins and minerals – helps ensure both mother and child remain healthy throughout the pregnancy and prepared for the upcoming labor and delivery. But healthy eating during pregnancy isn’t just about what an expectant mother should eat…it also takes into consideration such foods that she should not eat. Which begs the question…should grapefruit be on the list of “Don’ts?”

Is it Safe to Ship Grapefruit to Pregnant Women?

What to eat and what not to eat during pregnancy can be a bit confusing, particularly when one factors in myths and old wives’ tales. It’s always safest for those who are pregnant to follow the advice of their OBGYN, but some foods to avoid are common knowledge. These include alcohol, raw or undercooked eggs, meat or fish, smoked meats or fish, unpasteurized dairy products, and fish with high mercury levels (such as swordfish).

Then again, other foods pregnant women have historically been advised to avoid can actually be eaten in limited quantities (such as tuna and caffeine) or need no restrictions at all (such as peanuts for women who don’t have a peanut allergy).

If you’re an expectant mother who loves farm-fresh, sweet and juicy Rio Ruby™ Red Grapefruit, might be asking yourself: is grapefruit safe during pregnancy? Perhaps you’re aware that grapefruit can interfere with the efficacy of some medications and increase the side effects of others, or maybe you’ve heard that grapefruit can increase the risk of estrogen side effects in some women, including nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, and fluid retention (symptoms pregnant women frequently experience already).

The fact is, however, that most expectant mothers can eat grapefruit – in fact, citrus cravings are common during pregnancy because the vitamin C found in citrus fruits supports an unborn baby’s bones and other vital tissues, as well as keeping mothers-to-be healthy.

Things to Consider Before Enjoying Grapefruit While Pregnant

So – can pregnant women eat grapefruit? The answer is yes, most can – but that doesn’t mean you can. You should check with your doctor first before eating any grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice if you:

• Have a history of allergies. People who suffer from allergies can run the risk of developing an allergy to grapefruit or having a reaction of some kind from eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice.
• Are taking medication for symptoms related to a difficult pregnancy. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice have been known to interact with some drugs, including medications used to treat high cholesterol and blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, depression and anxiety, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, among others.
• Have a history of liver or kidney illnesses, cystitis or stomach ulcers. If you suffer from any of these conditions you should avoid grapefruit, as the fruit’s high citric acid levels could aggravate your symptoms.

Is Grapefruit Good for Pregnancy?

If you are not allergic to citrus, not on special medications, and are experiencing a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, grapefruit is not only likely safe for you to eat – it’s highly recommended you do so by health providers because it’s very beneficial to both you and for your unborn child.

Here are a few ways in which grapefruit’s many nutritious health benefits aid both mother and child when enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet:

How grapefruit helps baby:

• Grapefruit contains calcium and potassium, both of which are crucial to the development of strong bones in an unborn baby.
• Grapefruit is a good source of folic acid, which is essential for the unborn child’s neural development.
• The vitamin B complex found in grapefruit promotes healthy cell growth and division, enhances the functions of the nervous system, and helps build a stronger immune system in the fetus.
• The folic acid found in grapefruit helps prevent birth defects in unborn babies.
• The vitamin C and flavonoids found in grapefruit can help prevent asthma from developing in children whose mothers consume grapefruit while pregnant.
• Pregnant women can be prone to anemia, which can have a profound effect on the development of the unborn baby. Grapefruit contains vitamin B, which has been found to decrease the risk of anemia in women.

How grapefruit helps mom:

• Pittman & Davis Rio Ruby™ Red Grapefruit is satisfyingly sweet and refreshing, but very low in calories and sugar, which can help moms-to-be maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy, lose the baby weight faster, and reduce the risk of developing diabetes (a condition that has been on the rise in pregnant women).
• Grapefruit is high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system so expectant moms are better protected from colds and viruses, helping them to remain strong and healthy while preparing for childbirth. Vitamin C also promotes healthy skin, giving pregnant women their characteristic “glow.”
• Pregnant women often find their feet swell during the third trimester due to decreased circulation. The bioflavonoids and vitamin C in grapefruit help reduce swelling.
• Constipation is another common complaint during pregnancy. Grapefruit’s high fiber content keeps the digestive system running smoothly and promotes overall gut health.
• Acid reflux is another late-pregnancy bane for many expectant moms, but grapefruit creates an alkaline reaction in the body that can relieve the discomfort of acid reflux.
• Calcium leached from the mother’s body to promote proper bone development in the fetus can lead to bone density loss in pregnant women, and osteoporosis later down the road. Grapefruit’s calcium content aids in maintaining bone density in pregnant women.
• High blood pressure can lead to pre-eclampsia, a frightening condition that can cause potentially dangerous complications for expectant mothers and their unborn babies. The potassium found in grapefruit helps prevent and lower high blood pressure – as does lycopene, an antioxidant found in red grapefruit (like Pittman & Davis’s Ruby Gems).
• Grapefruit promotes better sleep, eases indigestion, helps the body stay hydrated, and soothes the effects of morning sickness.

As you can see, with the many benefits grapefruit has to offer both an expectant mother and her unborn child, adding it to her diet in moderation is an excellent step towards ensuring both a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Including grapefruit in her diet is easy, too – along with enjoying Pittman & Davis Grapefruit fresh out of hand, it can readily be added to smoothies, salads, yogurt, cereal, drinks, teas and main entrees. It’s even tasty when grilled and sprinkled with cinnamon for a healthy dessert!

In Summary

Grapefruit is rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential for keeping both a pregnant woman and fetus healthy. If you can safely enjoy grapefruit, add it to your diet throughout your pregnancy. Your body and your baby will reward you with vibrant health!

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