Star fruit is a refreshing exotic fruit that’s low in calories and high in nutrients. Since there are some precautions around exotic fruits, we’ll discuss whether it’s safe to eat during pregnancy.
Star fruit is an excellent choice for pregnant women and is usually safe to eat when you’re pregnant. However, there are a few things to consider before adding it to your diet.
What is the right way to prepare star fruit? Is it okay to eat it unpeeled? Let’s take a closer look!
Can Pregnant Women Eat Star Fruit?
Start fruit is generally considered safe to eat during pregnancy. However, as with any food, it’s important to take a few precautions.
The main concern with eating star fruit during pregnancy is the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can harm you and your baby (source: CDC). But this risk is low, as long as you wash the fruit thoroughly.
Wash star fruit under running water, paying special attention to any bruises or cuts, which can harbor bacteria. You don’t have to use cleaning products unless you want to. Check out our article that talks about cleaning products here to learn more.
Choose star fruit that is as fresh as possible from your trusted fruit supplier.
Star fruit can be eaten peeled or unpeeled. If you’re peeling the star fruit, you should still wash it first. Even though you’re not eating the skin, there is still a risk of toxoplasmosis when the knife or peeler comes into contact with the fruit.
If you can’t find fresh star fruit, you can also buy frozen or canned.
For canned star fruit, make sure to check the label to make sure it doesn’t contain any added sugars or syrups. Too much sugar during pregnancy can contribute to the development of gestational diabetes (source: Mayo Clinic).
Another thing to consider is the high levels of oxalates in star fruit. Oxalates are compounds found in some fruits and vegetables that can cause kidney stones (source: Indian Journal of Nephrology).
If you’re prone to kidney stones, it’s best to avoid star fruit or eat it in moderation. If you have any concerns, speak to your doctor first.
Is Star Fruit Good for Pregnancy? The Benefits
Star fruit is a nutritious fruit that’s low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. Here are some of the nutrients found in star fruit:
Vitamin C: Helps to keep the immune system strong, which is especially important during pregnancy (source: Nutrients Journal). For pregnant women, the recommended daily intake of vitamin C is 60 mg (source: FDA). One small start fruit (about 70 grams) contains about 24.1 mg of vitamin C (source: USDA).
Potassium: This mineral is important for maintaining fluid levels in the body and keeping blood pressure under control. Experts recommend a daily intake of 4000 mg potassium during pregnancy (source: Annal of Nutrition and Metabolism Journal). One small star fruit has about 93.1 mg of potassium (source: USDA).
Folate: This nutrient is important for the development of the neural tube, which becomes the baby’s brain and spinal cord. The recommended daily intake of folate for pregnant women is 400 mcg (source: CDC). One small star fruit has about 8.4 mcg of folate (source: USDA).
Fiber: Fiber is important for keeping the digestive system working properly. The recommended daily intake of fiber during pregnancy is 25 grams (source: Nutrients Journal). One small star fruit has about 1.96 grams of fiber (source: USDA).
Like other kinds of fruit, star fruit might be acidic for some people (source: Journal of Research in Medical Sciences). If you have heartburn or acid reflux, eat star fruit in moderation or avoid it altogether.
Overall, star fruit is a nutritious option for pregnancy, so go ahead and add this refreshing and healthy fruit to your pregnancy diet!
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