Consuming Honey during Pregnancy! Is it safe or not ?

Having Honey during your Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a crucial stage when you have to be extra careful about your food habits. The golden rule every mom should follow is to eat all forms of sugar in moderation and include veggies, lean organic proteins, good fats and fruits low on glycemic in your diet. The composition of honey is 17% water and two basic sugars named fructose which is 38% and glucose which is 31%.

Apart from these, honey also has a few bioactive compounds. But the composition of these is very low and they do not have any adverse effect on health, including that of a pregnant woman. So, honey is relatively safe to have during your pregnancy. But ensure that you do not have it any form that could adversely affect your health.

 Things to keep in Mind

• Don’t add honey in hot water or beverages as this might eliminate its healthy enzymes. However, you can add it to lukewarm water.
• Don’t mix honey to bean curd as it can reverse the benefits and lead to indigestion.

Tips for Choosing Honey

It is of utmost importance that the quality of honey is good, especially when consumed during pregnancy. Check if the honey is pasteurized. Normally all the brands sell pasteurized honey but it’s always better to check. Avoid the honey sold by roadside sellers, bee farms, or local markets as they are mostly raw honey and should be avoided during pregnancy. Go for trusted, organic honey as it goes through nominal processing.

Benefits of Honey

Honey has reserved a place for itself in traditional medicine in most parts of the world because of its therapeutic properties that also benefit pregnant moms.

• Sore throat: Right from the days of the ancient Greeks, honey was used honey to treat a sore throat, caused by a bacterial or viral infection. The anti-inflammatory properties of honey provide some symptomatic relief. Add honey to ginger or lemon tea and drink it warm to relieve a sore throat.
• Immune System: Honey’s antibacterial and antioxidant properties help in immune development against pollen and seasonal allergies and other diseases. It is also said to heal wounds effectively like small cuts and minor burns. Consuming it orally may provide relief from heartburn.
• Cures Insomnia: Since the early days of Ayurveda, honey has been used to battle insomnia. Ayurvedic literature suggests that honey possesses a hypnotic action that helps overcome insomnia. Mixing a spoon of honey in a glass of milk before bedtime is supposed to promote undisturbed sleep.
• Cures Cold and Cough: Honey is used with ginger or lemon as a home remedy to treat acute cough and cold thanks to honey’s antiviral properties.
• Improves scalp health: Research indicates that the antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-oxidative nature of honey helps to cure dandruff and itchy scalp. Dilute some honey in warm water and apply it to the scalp to treat such hair conditions.

Side Effects of Honey during Pregnancy

Like all foods, honey must be also had in moderation to avoid any side effects like:

• Insulin sensitivity, could be aggravated because of overconsumption of honey as this can raise blood sugar levels and weaken insulin resistance. Insulin sensitivity during pregnancy is not desirable as it could lead to gestational diabetes.
• The high levels of sugar in honey could cause dental cavities and tooth erosion.
• As one tablespoon of honey has more calories than a tablespoon of refined sugar, overconsumption could cause weight gain.

How Much Honey Is Safe During Pregnancy?

There is no safe limit set aside for the consumption of honey, especially for pregnant ladies. Consult a nutritionist to determine what your safe limit is. While setting the safe limit however, keep in mind that the calories from simple sugars should not be more than 10% of the total calorie requirement during pregnancy. This requirement is approximately 1800 to 2400 calories per day.

Should Honey be given to New-borns?

Honey is not really safe for babies. This is because honey has bacteria that can germinate in a baby’s gut causing a rare but fatal disease known as infant botulism. A baby’s intestine is not strong enough to destroy the bacteria that are formed. So, it’s wise to keep your baby away from honey till s/he is one year old.

But even though you can’t feed your baby honey, there is no harm for pregnant moms to consume honey. In fact, the benefits are aplenty. But ensure that the honey that you purchase is pasteurized and certified by a food inspector. Honey brings about no risk for a pregnant mom and her unborn baby. So enjoy that dash of honey in your tea, use it to sweeten up your baked dishes and use it to soothe your sore throat. But indulge in moderation!

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it safe to drink warm water with lemon and honey during pregnancy?

Lemon consumption can help relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and is generally a safe option. However, women planning to treat pregnancy effects with lemon should speak to their healthcare provider first. People can consume lemon in the forms of tea, water and lemon mixtures, and fresh lemon juice.

Can a pregnant woman take honey for cough?To relieve coughing during pregnancy is recommended to avoid cold, heavily polluted, or dusty places. Alongside, pregnant women should also drink about 2 litres of water a day, as well as warm teas, with honey and lemon, which can help relieve the cough naturally.

Is honey citron tea good for pregnancy?

Citron has a unique scent and has long been pickled or infused for drinking. It is good for colds, fevers, coughing, and swollen tonsils. It’s effective for hangovers and lost appetite of pregnant women.

Disclaimer: Always consult your physician/paediatrician before beginning any program. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate program for you and your child.