Can pregnant women eat chestnuts? Nutritional value of chestnuts

In this chestnut season, the sugar-fried chestnuts on the street, the chestnut soup and chestnut-braised cabbage in restaurants, and the chestnut cakes in supermarkets all make people hungry at first sight. But what is the nutritional value of chestnuts? Can pregnant women eat chestnuts?

Nutritional value of chestnut

Chestnut belongs to the nut family, but it is not as oily as walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and other nuts. It is high in starch. The carbohydrate content of dry chestnuts reaches 77%, which is equivalent to 75% of cereals; fresh chestnuts also have 40%, which is 2.4 times that of potatoes. The protein content of fresh chestnuts is 4% to 5%, which is not as much as peanuts and walnuts, but slightly higher than cooked rice.

Chestnuts are rich in vitamin B1 and B2. The content of vitamin B2 is at least 4 times that of rice. Every 100 grams of chestnuts also contains 24 mg of vitamin C, which is incomparable to grains. It is hard for people to imagine that fresh chestnuts contain more vitamin C than tomatoes, which are recognized to be rich in vitamin C, and more than ten times that of apples! Chestnuts also contain a wide range of minerals, including potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, etc. Although the content is not as high as that of hazelnuts and melon seeds, it is still much higher than that of ordinary fruits such as apples and pears, especially potassium, which is 4 times higher than apples, which are known to be rich in potassium.

It is sweet and fragrant, containing 51-60% starch, 5.7-10.7% protein, 2-7.4% fat, sugar, starch, crude fiber, carotene, vitamins A, B, C, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Up to 98% of the nutrients are available for human absorption and utilization. Calculated based on ten chestnuts, the calories are 204 calories, and the fat content is less than 1 gram, which is the lowest fat content among shelled fruits. It is commonly used in food processing, cooking banquets and side dishes. Chestnuts are suitable for eating raw or fried. Sugar-fried chestnuts and mixed with roasted chicken are fragrant and delicious. They can be ground into powder and made into a variety of dishes, cakes, canned foods, etc. Chestnuts are easy to store and keep fresh, which can extend the time of market supply. Chestnuts are mostly produced on hillsides. They are called "healthy food" abroad. They are high-quality fruits that strengthen the stomach and kidneys and prolong life.

Medicinal value of chestnut

The shiny chestnuts also have high medicinal value. Chestnuts have the functions of strengthening the spleen and stomach, replenishing qi, nourishing the kidneys, and strengthening the heart. They are mainly used to treat nausea, vomiting blood, and bloody stools. They are suitable for people of all ages. Chestnuts are rich in soft dietary fiber and have a lower glycemic index than rice. As long as sugar is not added during processing and cooking, diabetics can also enjoy them in moderation.

Can pregnant women eat chestnuts?

Chestnuts are rich in nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and multiple vitamins. They have the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the tendons, and promoting blood circulation and stopping bleeding. Pregnant women who often eat chestnuts can not only strengthen their bones, but also help the development and maturation of the pelvis.

Precautions for eating chestnuts

Although chestnuts have high nutritional and health value, they also need to be eaten in the right way. Chestnuts should not be eaten in large quantities at one time. Eating too much will easily cause bloating. Just eat 6 to 7 chestnuts a day and stick to it to achieve a good nourishing effect. Dr. Fan also suggested that people should eat chestnuts as snacks between meals or cook them in meals, rather than eating them in large quantities after meals. This is because chestnuts contain more starch, and eating them after meals will easily lead to excessive intake of calories, which is not conducive to maintaining weight. Dr. Fan warned consumers not to blindly pursue white or golden color of the flesh when purchasing chestnuts. Golden flesh may be chemically treated chestnuts. On the contrary, if the flesh is a little brown in the middle after being fried or cooked, it is caused by the "browning reaction" of the enzyme contained in the chestnuts. As long as the taste does not change, it is not harmful to the human body.