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Eating Dates during pregnancy will benefit you!

Eating Dates During Pregnancy: Remarkable Benefits

Eating dates during pregnancy has been shown to offer many significant benefits for the expecting mother.

Can 6 dates a day shorten your labor? According to a few studies they just might!

I recommend women eat 6 dates a day from the end of the third trimester and I haven’t been apart of too many long birth marathons in the past few years. Could dates be part of the reason?

Here’s the research:

The conclusion in this study of women eating and not eating dates from 37 weeks gestation:

‘Cervical ripening was more favorable in women, who used date fruit, compared to the non-consuming group. Given that date fruit is an energizing and nourishing substance, its use is recommended for pregnant women during pregnancy, particularly during the final weeks of gestation.’

And this study was small but the outcome equally as interesting:

‘The mean latent phase of the first stage of labour was shorter in women who consumed date fruit compared with the non-date fruit consumers (510 min vs 906 min, p = 0.044). It is concluded that the consumption of date fruit in the last 4 weeks before labour significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labour, and produced a more favourable, but non-significant, delivery outcome. The results warrant a randomised controlled trial.’

Dates are not only delicious, but also high in iron, potassium, A, B and K vitamins, and magnesium.

I like to eat them with an almond or walnut in the middle (extra protein and cuts down the sweet if you’re not in the mood for it) and if you eat dairy, adding a good quality cream cheese is awesome : -)

Happy snacking!

Here is a useful article about protein in your pregnancy diet!

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