I love starting my mornings with a good nutritious smoothie.
This combination of ingredients may sound strange, but give it a try.
• 1 banana
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 tsp Cacao powder
• 1 Madghool date
• 2 tsp Chia seeds
• 2 cups of Plant-based milk (of your choice)
This shake tastes great and is packed with nutrients that nourish your brain, gut, and skin and support blood formation (for anemic women). Let me know if you love it.
From a western point of view:
Bananas- Have fiber, are suitable for those who are constipated, have a good amount of potassium- which is essential for bone health and baby development, and have vitamin B6- which is vital for baby's development, aids with anemia during pregnancy, which can also help with tiredness.
Some say eating bananas during pregnancy helped with their morning sickness and heartburn.
Avocado- Contains vitamins C, B6, E, K, potassium, and copper and is a great brain food (because of its healthy fats).
Eating avocados during pregnancy can aid constipation because it is abundant with magnesium and fiber.
Because avocados have vitamins C + B6 in them, they can help reduce morning sickness, support the immune system, nourish your baby, and aid with pregnancy fatigue.
They maintain healthy blood pressure during pregnancy.
Cacao powder- Cacao is known to be packed with antioxidants, which can help fight inflammation. Cacao is a powerful brain food that aids our and our baby's brain development, and it helps regulate our moods and calms stress & irritability.
Because Cacao has flavanols, it can help regulate blood pressure and relieve pregnancy constipation.
Dates- are abundant in vitamins B and A and minerals such as iron, potassium, copper, and magnesium, all of which are important to help nourish and build a healthy body. They support our digestive system and are high in fiber (which is excellent for pregnancy constipation and keeping uninfected cells). Dates nourish the blood and keep us satiated.
Chia seeds- are abundant with omega-3 fatty acids that support our brain functions, keep us energized, and help clean our blood.
Kale- is a dark leafy green, abundant with anti-oxidants, vitamins A, K, B, and C, and minerals such as iron, potassium, copper, and calcium. It helps to keep our cells clean and keep inflammation away.
Adding kale to a smoothie is a great way to get all its benefits for those who do not like its flavor.
From a Chinese medical point of view:
Bananas- Aid with constipation, which is a major complaint for pregnant women. Bananas are said to lubricate the intestines
Because bananas are cooling in nature, it is good for those who are feeling hot sensations, or thirst.
Bananas can help lower blood pressure, an important fact for those who have high blood pressure during their pregnancy.
Avocado- Helps to support blood & fluid formation- especially important for those who have pregnancy anemia.
Avocados are known to be an excellent source of brain food, which is important for both the mother's and baby's brain development.
Avocado can be beneficial for nursing mothers because of its high nutritious value in good oils.
Kale- Helps heal the stomach from ulcers- anti-inflammatory.
Dates- Support blood formation, which helps women with blood deficiency symptoms (anemia).
They aid digestion, which can help those who feel constipated.
Citations:
Zapien, L. (2020, November 24). Top benefits of eating bananas while pregnant. All About Women. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://blog.allaboutwomenmd.com/pregnancy-prenatal-care/benefits-bananas-during-pregnancy.htm
MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Best fruits to eat during pregnancy and what to avoid. Medical News Today. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322757#the-best-fruits-to-eat-during-pregnancy
Khan, A. (2022, December 12). Eating bananas during pregnancy. FirstCry Parenting. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/eating-banana-during-pregnancy-health-benefits-and-more/
Khan, A. (2022, December 12). Eating bananas during pregnancy. FirstCry Parenting. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/eating-banana-during-pregnancy-health-benefits-and-more/
User, G. (2021, March 25). The unexpected benefits of avocado during pregnancy. Avocaderia. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.avocaderia.com/journal/unexpected-benefits-avocado-during-pregnancy
Kubala, J. (2020, July 30). Avocado in pregnancy: Benefits for you and your baby. Healthline. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/avocado-pregnancy#blood-pressure
Pitchford, P. (2009). Healing with whole foods: Asian traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books.
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