Content
Sunflower seeds when breastfed may seem like a good addition to a young mother's diet. They are rich in many valuable elements. In addition, eating them in the traditional Russian manner is akin to oriental meditation and calms the nerves well. But excessive use can lead to problems for the mother or child.
Is it possible for nursing sunflower seeds
As with most food, you can, if in moderation. The only question is in what form you need to use sunflower seeds. There are some disagreements here. There is an opinion that raw kernels should be eaten. It is only necessary to dry them to make it easier to remove the husk. In this form, the seeds retain a maximum of useful substances. Fried sunflower seeds with HS do not harm, but there is no benefit from them. 90% of the elements required for breastfeeding are destroyed by heat treatment.
Another opinion is that it all depends on the personal preferences of the lactating woman. Someone likes raw seeds, while others prefer fried ones.
But it should be noted that the latter have one significant drawback: over time, they develop a characteristic taste of rancid sunflower oil. The raw ones have minus one: it is harder to peel the husk. And even then not all varieties. There are those that are equally well cleaned in any condition.
Why sunflower seeds are good for breastfeeding
Young mothers who like to relax with seeds will be delighted by the fact that this product stimulates milk production. The seed kernels contain:
- calcium, which compensates the mother for the loss of this element during breastfeeding;
- potassium, which improves the functioning of the heart muscle;
- vitamin D, which is actually not particularly required in this case (it is produced naturally in the body during long walks in the fresh air);
- vitamin A, which is an antioxidant;
- a large amount of vegetable protein, which, although it does not completely replace animal protein, also serves as a material for building muscle tissues;
- amino acids.
The sunflower oil contained in the seeds helps to improve digestion and prevent constipation in the mother. The effect of seeds on the gastrointestinal tract of an infant during breastfeeding is minimal.
This variety has a thick shell, making it easier to clean the seeds when raw kernels are eaten.
Another subtle plus of eating sunflower seeds while breastfeeding is the ability to quit smoking. Nicotine and tar contained in cigarettes are definitely harmful to a child. But you can replace smoking by eating sunflower seeds.
Damage to sunflower seeds during breastfeeding
But seeds can not only increase the amount of milk during breastfeeding. If you use them in large quantities, you can harm your health and your baby. Often this is not direct harm: if you eat it, you get a problem. Sometimes the consequences can be delayed in time.
Will quickly appear:
- constipation;
- colic;
- allergy.
Not with the mother, but with the child. But babies can be allergic to anything. If the baby has a rash on the skin, you need to see a doctor and exclude all potential allergens from the mother's diet.Immediate consequences include the appearance of bad breath. In terms of its quality, it is almost not inferior to that which arises after smoking a cigarette.
Late and unobvious results include excess weight and damaged teeth. Sunflower seeds are very high in calories, and if you do not keep track of their quantity, you can easily gain extra pounds. If a mother is monitoring her weight, she should take this point into account when calculating her daily diet.
The teeth deteriorate due to the fact that the husk scratches the enamel. Day after day, seed by seed, and now the tooth is rubbed to the dentin. And then cariogenic bacteria come into play.
Contraindications to sunflower seeds with HS
The main contraindications are based on the harmful effects of seeds during breastfeeding. That is, if the child has constipation, colic or allergies, it is better to refuse this product. However, the same goes for the mother.
Pumpkin seeds are better suited for breastfeeding than sunflower seeds.
Rules for the use of sunflower seeds with HS
The basic rule is not to overeat. Sunflower kernels can be used as a snack between meals. They are good at suppressing appetite. But because of their high calorie content, they can also be considered a complete meal. When breastfeeding, it is better not to get carried away with seeds. To obtain a daily dose of the necessary elements, only 100 g of purified kernels are enough.
When breastfeeding, you need to carefully introduce seeds into the diet. You need to start with 20 g per day and observe the baby's reaction. If you have any problems, you need to refuse such a "snack". If everything is in order with the baby, the rate is gradually increased. At the same time, it is necessary to continue monitoring the child's reaction.
Useful Tips
If preference is given to fried seeds, it is better to cook them yourself. Ready-made packages are usually treated with preservatives. There is nothing terrible in this, but the baby is unlikely to need additional risks.
For self-preparation, the selected seeds are washed with water and dried on a towel. For frying, it is better to take a cast iron pan and heat it over a fire.
The seeds are scattered in an even layer and fried, stirring constantly. Cooking time depends on the number of seeds. The main task: not to let them burn and dry evenly. The degree of roast is checked for taste. It is better to remove the pan from the heat shortly before it is fully cooked. This will allow the seeds to "come to readiness" during the cooling process.
Conclusion
Sunflower seeds can be eaten raw or fried when breastfeeding. But doctors recommend dried raw. More nutrients are stored in such nuclei. However, if you listen to the recommendations of doctors, then there is more benefit from pumpkin seeds.
