When you’re carrying your precious unborn baby, you are probably like most women in that you want to eat and drink things that will help you both to thrive. While there are many supplements and products that have been created to cover many of the nutritional needs both mom and baby have during pregnancy, there are also simple, natural foods and beverages that can benefit pregnant women.
Coconut water is one of them, with many natural health benefits that expecting moms can safely enjoy. Drinking coconut water while pregnant is an easy way to promote a healthy body and support the growth of a healthy baby, and there are a variety of ways to enjoy it! Here we have assembled a list of the benefits of drinking coconut water while pregnant, tips on when you should drink it, and different recipes that feature it. Cheers!
Check out our article on Coconut oil uses for pregnancy>>> HERE
Benefits of Coconut Water While Pregnant
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness can be a miserable aspect of an otherwise joyful time and drinking coconut water can help to alleviate some of its challenging symptoms. Coconut water morning sickness benefits include combating the dehydration morning sickness can often lead to, thanks to its natural electrolytes. It also helps with digestion and settles the stomach, two things that can provide a lot of relief when you’re in the throes of morning sickness.
Fighting Infection
Drinking coconut water plays a part in helping your body to fight infections during pregnancy, especially painfully common urinary tract infections. With natural diuretic qualities, the fruits’ water aids with flushing your system, which can reduce your likelihood of getting one.
Coconut water also has been shown to improve kidney function and kick your immunity up a notch, which is beneficial to your body as it focuses on supporting your growing baby.
Improves Digestion
Making coconut water something you drink regularly can help your digestive system function at its best. Monolaurin, a monoglyceride found in coconut water, aids the body in combating digestive illnesses. The fiber in coconut water also helps to prevent indigestions and minimize acid reflux.
Fewer Calories
While water is the ideal beverage for staying hydrated when you’re pregnant, sometimes something a bit tastier is what sounds the best. Coconut water gives you a flavored beverage with few calories and a smaller amount of sugar than many other juices, fruit drinks, or even sodas. It’s a tasty way to make sure your body is getting the hydration it needs for you and your baby, while also being a healthy drink for which you don’t have to worry about calorie and sugar amounts.
When Should You Drink It?
Early in Your Pregnancy
Like we mentioned before, coconut water is a great natural remedy for some of the undesirable symptoms of morning sickness. During the tough days (not just mornings!) in the first trimester that can sometimes be plagued with nausea and vomiting, regularly drinking coconut water while pregnant can help you to keep healthy fluid levels and maintain your hydration.
When You Experience Muscle Cramps
Coconut water is effective at helping to alleviate the pain and discomfort of cramps that pregnant women experience as their bodies change to accommodate and carry their baby. With as much potassium in one 8-oz serving as is found in a banana, a glass of coconut water has 405mg of it, making it a fast way to get rid of pregnancy cramps right as they begin and before they become unbearable.
When You’re Low on Energy
Coconuts are one of nature’s superfruits, and water derived from them has many qualities that can boost your energy levels. With nutrients that help to balance your body’s pH levels, create stability for your core temperature, and enhance your mental focus, coconut water is a great option when you are feeling fatigued and want to avoid caffeine and sugary drinks for extra energy.
When You’re Experiencing Indigestion
Coconut water is an excellent source of magnesium, which encourages your digestive system muscles to relax, which can help constipation by moving stool more effectively through your intestines. It’s also packed with fiber and regular consumption helps to keep your body hydrated, which is optimal for maintaining a productive digestive tract.
When Heartburn Hits
Heartburn can rear its head at any point in your pregnancy, and for some women it’s a painful constant. Sometimes beverages that feature caffeine, sugar, and carbonation can aggravate heartburn and make it worse. Try drinking coconut water when heartburn symptoms come on, and let their natural electrolytes help to balance the pH in your body – an important part of controlling acid reflux.
During Breastfeeding Months (or Years)
Drinking coconut water while you’re breastfeeding has been proven to have a variety of positive effects. Consuming it builds the capric and lauric acid levels found in your breastmilk, which benefits your baby’s immunities. It also helps your baby’s body with bone and brain development and can even boost protection of them from harmful infections thanks to its antifungal and antibacterial properties.
For mom, drinking coconut water while pregnant is great for rehydrating and balancing your body’s electrolytes. It’s a safe beverage option, compared to soda, juice, and other caffeinated or sugary drinks. It also promotes breast milk secretion, contributing to a better breastfeeding experience.
Recipes to Include Coconut Water in Your Diet
While pouring a glass or grabbing a straw is an easy and go-to way to enjoy your coconut water while you’re pregnant, there are a lot of ways you can incorporate the healthy liquid into your diet without drinking it plain. You can try one of these recipes featuring coconut water while pregnant and enjoy its beneficial qualities in a new way.
Strawberry Coconut Lemonade
For pregnant moms, this recipe Strawberry Coconut Lemonade might be a nice alternative to your favorite fruity cocktail! Put a tropical twist on your coconut water and add it to this refreshing and fruity beverage from Iowa Girl Eats. The recipe features the juice of fresh-squeezed lemon along with the summery blend of strawberries. With a splash of sparkling water, this coconut water beverage is bound to have your taste buds tingling. It is perfect to serve chilled or over ice as warmer months and summer approaches.
Coconut Water Rice
This rice dish is a versatile one that can be made and prepared as a side dish or can aeven be enjoyed as part of your main dish. The recipe for Coconut Water Rice from Munaty Cooking creates a fluffy rice, and with only a handful of ingredients, it’s also very simple to make.
Adding ginger to the mix will give the rice a delicious boost of flavor, and you can even try other seasonings you might enjoy. If you like this recipe, you could also play with using coconut water to cook brown rice, quinoa, and similar foods.
Quick Coconut & Chia Seed Pudding
With the health benefits of coconut water and chia seeds, this easy Quick Coconut & Chia Seed Pudding recipe shared by The Healthy Foodie is not only delicious, but very healthy! Chia seeds are a great addition to a recipe to be enjoyed when you’re pregnant – full of fiber, protein, healthy fat, calcium, and magnesium, the chia seeds add a nutritional punch that are great for you and baby.
The pudding is versatile, adapting to any fruit or sweetener you might choose to add to it. This coconut water infused pudding is a great snack option at any time of day, even for late night pregnancy cravings!
Lemon Coconut Water Vinaigrette
Make an already healthy salad even more nutritious by topping it with this Lemon Coconut Water Vinaigrette from Casual Claire! Some of the most popular and best-tasting salad dresses are loaded with sugars and fats that don’t do anything positive for you or your baby, so why not try this vinaigrette that has plenty of beneficial ingredients?
A mix of coconut water, olive oil, lemon juice, and great-tasting basil and parsley, make this vinaigrette a flavorful and easy accompaniment for any salad. It’s as simple as shaking up all of the ingredients and pouring over your salad for a delicious dish you won’t feel guilty about indulging in.
Coconut Water Marinated Chicken Kabobs
Creating a marinade featuring coconut water is an easy way to infuse your main dish with the flavor and nutrients found in it, and this recipe from The Delicious Cook is a must-try! Coconut Water Marinated Chicken Kabobs require a list of ingredients you likely already have in your pantry (think soy sauce, chili powder, and garlic).
Marinate your chicken overnight in a tasty mix of spices and flavorings and enjoy cubes of this chicken grilled or cooked on a skewer for a healthy and great tasting serving of protein.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy diet for you and your baby while you’re pregnant is so important, but it can be challenging to make good choices while also enjoying things that taste good and satisfy your pregnancy cravings.
Coconut water is a natural beverage that boasts countless health benefits, and that can be enjoyed throughout your pregnancy and after to help you incorporate nutrients that are good for you and baby.
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