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Marshmallows during pregnancy
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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The most delicate sweetness, the airy and light marshmallow does not leave indifferent to itself, perhaps, not a single woman of the fair sex. However, some women are interested in: Is marshmallow allowed during pregnancy?
Indeed, in this “interesting” period one should carefully and selectively treat foodstuffs. We will try to answer this question in our article.
Can marshmallows during pregnancy?
The word "marshmallow" means "light wind", which fully characterizes the lightness and tenderness of this dessert. Pleasant delicacy has its fans in all countries of the world. Perhaps, marshmallows - one of the few sweets, recommended by nutritionists for people who prefer a healthy diet. Zephyr 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 produced by whipping fruit and berry mass with sugars and proteins of chicken eggs, after which agar-agar or another gelling agent is mixed.
According to the principles of using gelling agents for the production of marshmallow, it can be classified as follows:
- dessert using pectin;
- dessert using agar-agar;
- dessert using gelatin.
All these gelling substances are natural and beneficial to our body. Gelatin is derived from cattle bones. Pectin has a fruit origin: most often it is extracted from apples. Agar-agar is produced from seaweed.
Making marshmallow in its method has much in common with the process of making marmalade, and besides that, and another dessert are considered the most useful.
Can marshmallows during pregnancy? It is possible, and even necessary, but under certain conditions:
- if you do not suffer from diabetes;
- if you do not have excess weight;
- if you are not allergic to pectin or other components of the product.
When choosing a marshmallow, for its greater benefit, choose a real marshmallow - white or cream, without additives and chemical dyes, preferably without chocolate and other glazes and powders. Only such a marshmallow can be good for your health, and will not be a danger to your unborn baby and pregnancy in general.
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The benefits of marshmallow during pregnancy
As we have said, marshmallows can contain pectin, agar-agar or gelatin. By and large, it is these gelling substances that determine the beneficial properties of the product.
- Pectin - the translation of the word among the Greeks means "frozen." Experts identify three main properties of this substance - a decrease in blood glucose levels, a decrease in cholesterol levels, and a reduction in the risk of cancer. In addition, pectin is able to excrete 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 the bone, cartilage and tendon tissue of animals. The main component of gelatin is protein collagen, which is known for its influence on the elasticity of tissues. In addition to collagen, gelatin has a rich amino acid composition, which, in particular, is represented by aspartic and glutamic acids, glycine and hydroxyproline. As a result of the use of gelatin-containing products, metabolic processes are accelerated, brain activity improves, and heart function is facilitated. The joints become more mobile, the skin is fresher and younger.
- Agar-agar is obtained from red-brown sea and oceanic algae. The transformation of fruit mass into jelly requires much less agar-agar than gelatin, and this product freezes faster. By itself, agar-agar is devoid of any taste, which allows you to add it to both sweet and other dishes. Agar-agar is rich in all those substances that are present in algae. This is iodine, iron, calcium and other useful elements. Gelling agar facilitates the function of the liver, helping it to remove toxic substances from the body.
Marshmallow, no matter what thickeners of the above listed 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 become. The classic recipe for marshmallow involves the presence of fruit and berry mass, sugar (or its substitute), egg white and a gelling agent.
The use of marshmallow during pregnancy makes the skin more elastic, which can serve as a good prevention of stretch marks. The benefits of marshmallow during pregnancy is obvious, so do not be afraid to eat it (of course, within reasonable limits).
Reviews marshmallow during pregnancy
According to users, the most important rule when consuming marshmallow, as well as other food, is compliance with the measure. After all, the most adverse consequences develop, in most situations, with the abuse of food. If you are prone to excess weight, then the marshmallow will not hurt you: it is less calories than cakes and sweets, because it does not contain fat. Oil creams and condensed milk are much more harmful to your weight than marshmallows. Especially when you consider how easy it is to gain extra pounds during pregnancy.
Of course, to use only marshmallow during the whole pregnancy is undesirable. As an option for sweets, it is recommended to try dried bananas, or dates, dried pumpkin or raisins with nuts. However, do not forget that even the most useful foods that are consumed in excessive amounts can easily become the causes of allergy in you or your future baby.
When choosing a marshmallow in the store, carefully study its composition - the minimum content of various additives is welcomed. The ideal choice is a white or cream-colored marshmallow, without sprinkling and glaze: in such a dessert there certainly won't be any dyes or preservatives unsafe for your baby.
A marshmallow during pregnancy is able to elevate mood, since carbohydrates in its composition stimulate the production of serotonin, the “joy hormone. However, if the love of sweets turns into addiction, you can get big health problems and with a normal course of pregnancy. Therefore, eat in moderation, and be healthy!
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