Marshmallows in pregnancy

The most delicate sweetness, airy and light marshmallow leaves no one indifferent, perhaps, to itself. However, some women are interested: is marshmallow allowed during pregnancy?

After all, in this “interesting” period, you should be careful and selective about food products. We will try to answer this question in our article.

Can you eat marshmallows during pregnancy?

The word "zephyr" means "light wind", which fully characterizes the lightness and tenderness of this dessert. This tasty delicacy has its fans in all countries of the world. Perhaps, marshmallow is one of the few sweets recommended by nutritionists for people who prefer healthy eating. Marshmallow contains a lot of carbohydrates, which saturate the body with energy for physical activity, but at the same time there is almost no fat in it.

Marshmallow is obtained by whipping a berry-fruit mixture with sugars and chicken egg whites, after which agar-agar or another gelling agent is added.

According to the principles of using gelling agents for the production of marshmallows, it can be classified as follows:

• dessert using pectin;
• dessert using agar-agar;
• dessert using gelatin.

All these gelling agents are natural and beneficial for our body. Gelatin is obtained from cattle bones. Pectin is of fruit origin: most often it is extracted from apples. Agar-agar is produced from seaweed.

The method of making marshmallows has much in common with the process of making marmalade, and both desserts are considered to be the most healthy.

Is it possible to eat marshmallows during pregnancy? It is possible, and even necessary, but under certain conditions:

• if you do not suffer from diabetes;
• if you are not overweight;
• if you are not allergic to pectin or other components of the product.

When choosing marshmallows, for their greater benefit, choose real marshmallows - white or cream, without additives and chemical dyes, preferably without chocolate and other glazes and sprinkles. Only such marshmallows can be useful for your health, and will not pose a danger to your future child and pregnancy in general.

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Benefits of marshmallows during pregnancy

As we have already said, marshmallows can contain pectin, agar-agar or gelatin. By and large, it is these gelling agents that determine the beneficial properties of the product.

• Pectin - the translation of this word from the Greeks means "frozen". Experts highlight three main properties of this substance - it reduces the level of glucose in the blood, lowers cholesterol levels, and reduces the risk of cancer. In addition, pectin is able to remove toxic substances and salts from the body, and is involved in the regulation of blood pressure. Pectin is a plant product, it is produced in different countries from apples, berries, apricots, and orange peel. In our country, pectin is obtained from apples.
• Gelatin is a gelling product produced by boiling bone, cartilage and tendon tissue of animals. The main component of gelatin is the protein collagen, which is known for its effect on tissue elasticity. In addition to collagen, gelatin has a rich amino acid composition, which, in particular, is represented by aspartic and glutamic acids, glycine and oxyproline. As a result of consuming gelatin-containing products, metabolic processes are accelerated, brain activity improves, and the work of the heart is facilitated. Joints become more flexible, skin is fresher and younger.
• Agar-agar is obtained from red-brown sea and ocean algae. To turn fruit mass into jelly, much less agar-agar is required than gelatin, and this product hardens faster. Agar-agar itself is devoid of any taste, which allows you to add it to both sweet and other dishes. Agar-agar is rich in all the substances that are present in algae. This is iodine, iron, calcium and other useful elements. Gelling agar facilitates liver function, helping it to remove toxic substances from the body.

Marshmallow, regardless of which of the above thickeners are used in it, always has a positive effect on the skin, hair and nails. However, when buying, you should pay attention to the composition of the product: the closer it is to the classic version, the more useful the product will be. The classic marshmallow recipe provides for the presence of berry and fruit mass, sugar (or its substitute), egg white and gelling agent.

Eating marshmallows during pregnancy makes the skin more elastic, which can serve as a good prevention of stretch marks. The benefits of marshmallows during pregnancy are obvious, so you should not be afraid to eat it (within reasonable limits, of course).

Reviews of marshmallows during pregnancy

According to users, the most important rule when eating marshmallows, as well as other food, is to observe moderation. After all, the most unfavorable consequences develop, in most situations, when abusing food products. If you are prone to excess weight, then marshmallows will not harm you: they are less caloric than cakes and sweets, since they do not contain fat. Butter creams and condensed milk are much more harmful to your weight than marshmallows. Especially considering how easy it is to gain extra pounds during pregnancy.

Of course, it is not advisable to eat only marshmallows throughout your pregnancy. As an alternative to sweets, it is recommended to try dried bananas, dates, dried pumpkin or raisins with nuts. However, do not forget that even the healthiest foods, consumed in excessive quantities, can easily cause allergies in you or your future baby.

When choosing marshmallows in the store, carefully study their composition - a minimum content of various additives is welcome. The ideal choice is white or cream-colored marshmallows, without sprinkles or glaze: such a dessert will definitely not contain dyes and preservatives that are unsafe for your baby.

Marshmallows during pregnancy can lift your mood, as the carbohydrates in their composition stimulate the production of serotonin, the "hormone of joy." However, if the love of sweets turns into an addiction, you can acquire major health problems and problems with the normal course of pregnancy. Therefore, eat in moderation and be healthy!

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