In this brief article, we will answer the question, “Why you should avoid bananas during pregnancy?” and provide information on complications of banana allergy, tips to deal with them, other reasons for not taking them during pregnancy as well as tips to eat them during gestational diabetes.
Why you should avoid bananas during pregnancy?
You should avoid bananas during pregnancy if you are allergic to them. Some symptoms of banana allergy are itching or swelling of the mouth, hives, difficulty breathing, itchy sensation in the eyes, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Banana trees contain allergic proteins. Individuals who are allergic to latex can experience allergic symptoms after the consumption of bananas. This is because both bananas and latex have similar allergic proteins.
Individuals who are exposed to latex or wear latex-based materials might also develop allergic reactions to bananas. As a result, pregnant women allergic to bananas should not consume them.
What can be some complications of banana allergy?
Some complications associated with a banana allergy can be flushing of the skin, swelling of the tongue, rough voice, reduced blood pressure, tiredness, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What can be done if you suffer from a banana allergy?
Some tips to deal with banana allergy are given below:
- Do not consume or use products containing banana or banana flavor. This includes medications and cosmetic products as well.
- If you have ordered smoothies, cakes, or any other desserts in a restaurant, check whether there is a banana present in them.
- If you are allergic to both bananas and latex, do not use bananas or latex-containing objects.
- Some alternatives to bananas are orange, pumpkin, squashes, berries, sweet potatoes, or yam.
What are some other reasons for pregnant women to avoid bananas?
Other reasons to consume bananas in moderation are given below:
- Excessive consumption of bananas is not recommended for women who suffer from gestational diabetes. Sugar content in bananas can vary depending on their size and ripeness.
This means if the bananas are large and ripe, they can have a glycemic load ranging from 22-25. A glycemic load of more than 20 is considered to be high.
- Eating overripe bananas is a bit risky. This is because overripe bananas can be infested with flies. Consumption of such bananas can result in vomiting, dehydration, bloating, and diarrhea.
- Some advice against the consumption of bananas in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is because extra calories should be consumed in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
- Do not eat bananas on an empty stomach as there can be bloating and acidity observed.
- Bananas contain amino acids which can convert to Tyramine. This can increase the risk of developing migraines.
- Consuming excessive bananas is not recommended as it can increase the risk of developing hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood).
What are some tips to consume bananas if you have gestational diabetes?
- Make sure to consume a smaller and less ripe version of bananas. Some people consume green bananas and prepare vegetable-based side dishes with them as they are savory.
- If you like ripe bananas, consume smaller ones.
- Do not consume a large banana at once. You can spread the consumption of one large fruit 3-4 times throughout the day.
- Pair bananas with other foods. For instance, you can pair bananas with fiber-rich nuts or even consume them with low-fat unflavored yogurt.
Should bananas be completely avoided during pregnancy?
No, bananas do not need to be completely avoided. Moderate consumption of bananas can be beneficial. These are given below:
- Bananas can reduce the risk of developing nausea. Pregnant women are prone to suffering from morning sickness. In such cases, consuming a small banana can help in reducing the feeling of nausea.
- Bananas contain soluble fiber. Soluble fiber can aid in reducing constipation. It promotes the formation of softer stools.
- Bananas are a good source of potassium. Potassium present in bananas can aid in reducing blood pressure.
- Bananas contain folic acid which can help in preventing fetal birth defects. Although pregnant mothers can consume a combination of folic acid and iron supplements, consuming bananas can be beneficial too.
- Heartburn might be a common symptom experienced in pregnancy because of a rise in acid levels. Bananas can help in bringing down these levels during pregnancy.
- Bananas contain a good amount of carbs along with sugars. This can boost metabolism and maintain energy levels during pregnancy.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we have answered the question, “Why you should avoid bananas during pregnancy?” and provided information on complications of banana allergy, tips to deal with them, other reasons for not taking them during pregnancy as well as tips to eat them during gestational diabetes.
Reference
https://www.healthline.com/health/banana-allergy#incidence
https://blog.allaboutwomenmd.com/pregnancy-prenatal-care/benefits-bananas-during-pregnancy.htm
