Eating Jackfruit During Pregnancy – Is it Safe?

Eating fruits, veggies, and other nutritious foods is necessary during pregnancy. You know the reasons: a balanced diet can provide the right nutrition to the baby, healthy food can keep both the mother and the baby healthy, and more. But there are certain fruits and vegetables that pregnant women are told to avoid. In this article, we will talk about one particular exotic fruit: jackfruit. Jackfruit, especially jackfruit pickle and chips are loved by all. But if you are pregnant, you might wonder whether or not it is safe to eat jackfruit in pregnancy. So, read on to know!

Nutritional Value of Jackfruit

Jackfruit is very nutritious. It contains moderate amount of calories: about 155 calories in a single cup of jackfruit. But barely 5 calories come from its fat, which makes it quite a healthy option. Jackfruit is a good source of folate, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin and even Vitamin C and Vitamin A, which makes it a healthy choice. It also contains a number of minerals such as manganese copper, potassium, iron, and calcium. And the best part: it contains very less amount of saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium.

The fibre present in jackfruit plays a vital role in stimulating digestion, and the absence of sugar makes it a great choice for women with gestational diabetes.

Is It Safe to Consume Jackfruit During Pregnancy?

Searching for the answer to “Can I eat jackfruit during pregnancy?”

Many women, certain experts, and even a few doctors usually suggest pregnant women to not consume jackfruit, simply because there isn’t enough evidence to prove its benefits. Some women also believe that consumption of jackfruit during pregnancy causes miscarriage, but that’s not true. Jackfruit, when consumed in healthy amounts, won’t cause any harm to the mother or the baby.

Benefits of Eating Jackfruit During Pregnancy

If you have doubts about consuming jackfruit during pregnancy, read its benefits. Consuming jackfruit during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, can offer a load of nutrients and benefits to the body. Here are some benefits that prove that jackfruit is good for pregnancy.

1. Provides Relief From Stomach Problems

Eating jackfruit in the right quantity can help alleviate various stomach problems, such as stomach ulcers present on the stomach lining during pregnancy.

2. Helps in the Growth and Development of the Baby

Jackfruit can provide you with calcium, zinc, iron, beta-carotene, etc. These minerals can help in the growth of your baby. It is also a rich source of various vitamins like Vitamin A and C, and folate, iron. All these nutrients help in the formation of necessary organs of the baby.

3. Helps Regulate Blood Pressure Levels

An increase in blood pressure levels of a pregnant woman can be detrimental for the foetus and result in various complications. However, by consuming healthy foods like jackfruit can help keep blood pressure levels in check and ensure that both the mother and the baby are healthy.

4. Helps Fight Fatigue

Pregnancy can be very exhausting for a woman. If you are pregnant, you might feel lazy or fatigued because you will be supporting your baby. But by eating healthy fruits and veggies like jackfruit can provide you with energy and prevent fatigue.

5. Stimulates Digestion

Constipation and digestion-related issues are common during pregnancy. If you also experience constipation or digestion problems, you can fibrous fruits and veggies such as jackfruit to fight digestion-related issues. The fibre content in jackfruit can meet nearly 10 per cent of the daily fibre intake. This will help streamline your bowel movements, relieve constipation, and optimise digestive processes.

6. Helps Lower Stress

The nine months of pregnancy can easily get stressful for you, but it is not good for you or your baby. If you feel stressed, you can meditate or try yoga. You can also eat include certain foods like jackfruit in your diet to lower stress. Jackfruit seeds are especially beneficial, as they contain protein and various other micronutrients, which help manage mental stress.

7. Strengthens the Immune System

Vitamin C is necessary to strengthen the immune system, especially during pregnancy. While pregnant, you can consume fruits like, jackfruit, which is rich in vitamin – it will boost your immunity.

8. Satiate Sugar Cravings

Jackfruit has natural sugars that boost energy and might help satiate pregnancy cravings.

Benefits of Eating Jackfruit Seeds During Pregnancy

Jackfruit seeds also offer lots of benefits to a pregnant woman. Here are some jackfruit seeds benefits for pregnancy:

1. Helps Fight Anaemia – Jackfruit seeds, being rich in iron, and they help combat anaemia. The iron content optimises the production of red blood cells. Iron-deficiency is a common problem during pregnancy and it could be detrimental for a baby’s health. RBCs are strongly required for optimal development of the fetus, which is why pregnant women are told to consume iron-rich foods. You can include jackfruit seeds in your diet, as it is a good source of iron and can keep your iron levels in check.
2. Good for Skin and Hair – Consuming jackfruit seeds is a natural way will keep your skin glowing. If you want to have great hair and healthy skin, consume foods rich in minerals like jackfruit seeds.
3. Helps Treat Cold and Viral Infection – Eating jackfruit seeds can help cure cold and viral infections during pregnancy.

Side Effects of Eating Jackfruit During Pregnancy

Although jackfruit offers various benefits to a pregnant woman, that does not mean it is completely safe for consumption. Here are some of the risks of consuming jackfruit during pregnancy.

1. Eating jackfruit can sometimes fluctuate a woman’s sugar levels. Hence, it should be avoided by diabetic women.
2. Jackfruit is known to accelerate the coagulation of blood. Although this is beneficial for most people, if you have a pre-existing blood-related health condition, you must avoid eating jackfruit.
3. Eating jackfruit in excessive amounts can lead to diarrhoea and excretory problems since it tends to act as a natural laxative.
4. Certain women do have the possibility of an allergy from jackfruit.
5. The jackfruit seeds may have an immune-simulative effect, so women with tissue transplants should avoid eating jackfruit when pregnant.

Different Ways to Include Jackfruit in Your Pregnancy Diet

Jackfruit can be consumed in a variety of forms, including as a raw fruit or a ripe one, or by cooking a vegetable from it. Having jackfruit chips during pregnancy is also fine, but you should eat them in limited quantities. You can also consume jackfruit slices garnished with grated coconut.

How to Select and Store Jackfruit?

While buying jackfruit, pick the one that is yet to ripen and is fresh and heavy, with dark green colour and hard thorns. For eating right away, choose a ripe one with soft thorns. You can store it for longer if you refrigerate it.

Pregnancy-Friendly Jackfruit Recipes

Here are some pregnancy recipes that you can try at home using simple ingredients:

1. Jackfruit Chips

Ingredients

• Raw jackfruit
• 1/2tsp turmeric
• 3tbsp water
• Salt as required
• Vegetable oil, enough for deep frying

How to Make

1. In a bowl, Mix turmeric, salt, and water.
2. Slice the jackfruit lengthwise and spread them on a clean cloth until the moisture evaporates.
3. Add enough oil to a wok and heat it.
4. Add the fruit slices and fry them until they turn golden brown.
5. Drain the excess oil. Add some salt and red chilli powder.
6. Toss them well and store them in an airtight container.

Preparation Time

10 minutes

Servings

5

2. Mango and Jackfruit Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped mango.
• 1 cup chopped jackfruit.
• Milk to set the consistency.
• Honey

How to Make

1. Add mango and jackfruit in the blender and make a smooth paste.
2. Add honey and milk to adjust the consistency.
3. Pour it into the glasses and top it with mango chunks.

Preparation Time

7 minutes

Servings

2

3. Jackfruit Curry

Ingredients

• ½ raw jackfruit
• 1 onion
• ¼tsp turmeric
• Salt as required
• 3tbsp coconut grate
• 1 ½tbsp coriander seeds
• 1tsp cumin seeds
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 red chilies
• 1tsp pepper
• Oil as required
• 1tsp mustard seeds
• 1tsp urad dal
• 1 sprig curry leaves

How to Make

1. Take the jackfruit flesh without seeds and cut it into small pieces.
2. Soak them in a bowl of rice water or buttermilk for about 10 to 15 minutes, then take them out and squeeze the water.
3. Boil some water with salt and turmeric, and add the jackfruit pieces. Cook them until soft.
4. Now blend coconut, coriander seeds, garlic cloves, cumin seeds, red chillies and pepper, along with some water, to make a paste.
5. Heat some oil in a wok, and add mustard seeds, urad dal (black gram), curry leaves and onions. Fry them until the onions turn soft.
6. Now add the paste and cooked jackfruit. Fry everything on a medium flame, and sprinkle some salt.
7. Keep stirring at regular intervals, and the curry will be ready in 15 minutes.
8. You can have it hot with chapattis, rice or a salad.

Preparation Time

1 hour

Servings

2-3

FAQs

1. Is It Possible to Gain Weight by Consuming Jackfruit in Pregnancy?

Consuming jackfruit may not aid in weight gain during pregnancy as it is high in fibre, low in glycemic index, and low in fat content.

2. How Much Jackfruit Can I Eat While Pregnant?

Jackfruit during pregnancy 1st,2nd and 3rd trimester must be consumed in moderation with the right portion, such as 1⁄2 cup of jackfruit (75 grams)

Jackfruit is healthy and can offer a lot of benefits to you during pregnancy. That being said, you should not consume it in excessive quantities, as it can affect your health negatively. Whatever you eat, eat in moderate amounts and you will be fine. Furthermore, before including any food in your pregnancy diet, consult a doctor or a nutritionist and you won’t have any doubts. Have a healthy pregnancy!

References/Resources:

1. Jackfruit: What It Is and Why It’s Healthy; health.clevelandclinic.org; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-jackfruit-and-is-it-healthy/

2. Real Food Encyclopedia | Jackfruit; foodprint.org; https://foodprint.org/real-food/jackfruit/

3. 10 Surprising Health Benefits Of Jackfruit You Need To Know; lifehack.org; https://www.lifehack.org/317644/10-surprising-health-benefits-jackfruit-you-need-know

4. Jackfruit, raw; fdc.nal.usda.gov; https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174687/nutrients

5. R. A. S. N. Ranasinghe, S. D. T. Maduwanthi, R. A. U. J. Marapana; Nutritional and Health Benefits of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.): A Review; National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6339770/; January 2019

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Consuming Durian Fruit in Pregnancy
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Consuming Mango when Pregnant
Eating Pineapple while Pregnant