Expectant mothers usually have a lot going on for them, from the changes in their body to the imminent changes in their life. Their primary responsibility is to consume a healthy diet and generally be more mindful of what they eat. British organisation Apples and Pears teamed up with leading nutritionist Lily Soutter to explain why pears are one of the best foods to consume during pregnancy.
Pears are also an excellent source of dietary fibre with just one pear providing 20 per cent of our daily fibre requirement. Fibre is crucial for digestive health, which is often sluggish during pregnancy. Getting enough fibre in a pregnancy diet aids the functioning of the digestive system, to help ease constipation.
Soutter explains, “Pears are low in calories and have high nutritional value, which is essential for the development of a healthy pregnancy. The regular peak in births in late September indicates the biggest pregnancy boom is at the start of the year, making it a perfect season to enjoy more pears.” She adds, “Pears are a tasty way for expectant mothers to consume vital nutrients such as potassium, folate, vitamin C and vitamin K, all of which alongside a nourishing diet, contribute to our daily requirements. Pears also provide an array of antioxidants which lie within the skin. It's important to enjoy the skin of a pear as well as the flesh as peeling the skin has been shown to result in a 25 per cent loss of these beneficial plant chemicals.”
Pears are also a great fruit to try in the early stages of weaning, when introducing your baby to solids. It's important to peel the pear for a young baby, and if it's ripe enough, you can also steam it for a few minutes to soften the fruit. Executive Chair of British Apples and Pears, Ali Capper says, “Britain has the perfect climate to grow delicious pears, which are readily available in supermarkets across the UK, all year round. There has never been a more important time to incorporate healthy foods into our diets, and this is especially important for pregnant women who need to closely monitor the foods they consume for their own health and for their baby's.”
