Can You Eat Cornstarch While Pregnant?
While it contains some nutrients, including vitamins A, B6, and E, it doesn’t necessarily contain all the nutrients we expect from food that’s supposed to be healthy.
And yet, if you think about it, cornstarch is nutritious! You see, it contains dietary fiber that helps keep your digestive system running smoothly. It also has a low glycemic index rating (which means it won’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels).
Can You Eat Cornstarch While Pregnant?
Can you eat cornstarch when pregnant? Yes, you can. Cornstarch is a very common ingredient in both sweet and savory recipes. It’s also one of the most common sauces, soups, and gravies thickeners.
So, if you’ve been wondering whether or not you can eat cornstarch when pregnant, don’t worry—you definitely can! But in moderation. Keep reading to learn more.
Eating Cornstarch While Pregnant
Corn starch is a popular ingredient used in many foods. It is widely used for thickening and stabilizing food, like sauces, soups, and gravies.
Corn starch has been used as a thickener since ancient times. It is a traditional ingredient in Asian cuisine, particularly in Northeast India and China. The Chinese use it to make noodles and puddings such as moon cake (literally: “sweet rice paste”).
In recent years, it has become increasingly popular in Western countries because of its low cost and high availability. Corn starch can be purchased cheaply from supermarkets or online stores at a low cost per unit weight compared with other thickeners such as flour or arrowroot powder which can be up to 10 times more expensive per unit weight.
Here is what to keep in mind when consuming cornstarch while Pregnant
- A large amount of cornstarch intake may cause constipation and other gastrointestinal problems in pregnant women. Some studies have shown that large amounts of cornstarch during pregnancy can lead to constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, excessive gas, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Corn starch contains gluten which may trigger an allergic reaction in some people who are sensitive to gluten. If you are allergic to gluten, you should avoid consuming any wheat products during pregnancy.
- Cornstarch is a laxative, so it should only be used at the end of your meal or immediately after you eat something intensely starchy (like pasta). If you consume a lot of cornstarch and then have another heavy meal later that day or the next day, your body will not have time to digest the food properly before it reaches the colon. This can lead to constipation or diarrhea instead of regular bowel movements.
Benefits of Eating Cornstarch When Pregnant
Cornstarch is a great addition to your diet during pregnancy. It’s been used for centuries as a remedy for constipation and is still a popular remedy today. In fact, cornstarch is one of the most common ingredients in over-the-counter laxatives! But did you know there are even more benefits of eating cornstarch when pregnant?
Here are some of the top reasons to include it in your diet:
- It can help relieve morning sickness
It’s normal for expectant mothers to experience nausea and vomiting. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, adding cornstarch to your diet may help relieve them. Make sure to dilute it with more water before taking it — otherwise, it could cause diarrhea instead!
- It can help balance your blood sugar levels by helping you absorb the carbohydrates in your food better than normal
This means that you will have fewer cravings (such as those for sweets or fatty foods) and less chance of experiencing any health problems due to high blood sugar levels.
- Eating cornstarch will help you gain weight faster
Normally, when you eat cornstarch, your body will burn more fat quickly and efficiently than you eat other foods. So, you’ll be able to gain weight faster than usual when you eat cornstarch and, therefore, sustain pregnancy changes.
- It’s full of fiber which helps prevent heart disease and diabetes
Corn starch contains dietary fiber, which is important for good health in general, including preventing heart disease while keeping your blood glucose level under control throughout pregnancy. This helps prevent gestational diabetes from developing into Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Lastly, eating cornstarch may also help improve mood during pregnancy by improving your mental health through relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.
Potential Side Effects of Eating Cornstarch While Pregnant
Cornstarch may be considered safe for most people when used in moderation. However, some individuals are sensitive to cornstarch in their diet and should avoid it while pregnant.
The following are some potential side effects of eating cornstarch while pregnant:
- Allergic reactions to corn starch
Allergic reactions can cause symptoms such as itching, hives, and rashes. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms after consuming corn starch.
- Abdominal Pain
Some women may experience abdominal pain after eating cornstarch because it will absorb water from the intestines and trigger swelling. This can cause severe abdominal pain that lasts several hours after eating cornstarch.
If you notice this type of pain while pregnant, talk with your doctor immediately so that they can determine if you need any treatment or medication.
- It may cause Anemia
Cornstarch has a high amount of calories per gram compared to other foods that contain it. If you eat too much cornstarch while pregnant, you will gain weight quickly without getting enough nutrients from your diet. So, Anemia can easily develop due to weight gain while decreasing iron intake.
- Constipation
Cornstarch is a soluble fiber that may pass through the body without being absorbed into the bloodstream. Because of this, cornstarch can cause constipation when consumed in large quantities.
This can be especially problematic for women who experience diarrhea or bloating because they may not have enough water to eliminate waste material properly. Cornstarch should not be used as a laxative unless necessary, as it could lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance in some cases.
Bottom Line
You can safely eat cornstarch while pregnant if you follow the recommended serving size. It’s also important to note that this does not apply to other starches, such as potato starch, so be sure you are eating pure cornstarch and not any incorrect substitutes.
