If you love pistachios and you are also pregnant then we have some great news for you!

Eating pista during pregnancy is very beneficial.

Pistachios or pistas aren’t just very delicious but they come laden with several health benefits too. Whether it is eating them raw or adding them to your sweet or savory recipes, these nuts offer a number of benefits.

Pregnancy is a time when eating healthy, nutrient dense food should be your top priority. And while the list of what you can and cannot eat may be a long one, we can tell you one thing for sure- pistachios are great for you when you have them in moderation. Not only do they offer a host of different benefits but are also very delicious and fun to eat. We are here to tell you how you can make your pregnancy diet more interesting with some pistachios.

So, keep reading on, as we tell you more facts and myths on having pistachio in pregnancy, the pista benefits during pregnancy and more. But first, let us find out a little more about pistachios.

What are Pistachios?

Commonly known as ‘pista’, these nuts grow in the subtropical and tropical regions of Asia, Africa and the USA on small trees and shrubs. These tiny green-colored nuts are encased in small light colored shells. One of the oldest nuts known to mankind, pistachios are known to have existed for thousands of years. 

Is Eating Pista during Pregnancy Safe?

Yes, it is definitely safe to have pistachios when you are pregnant. However, like everything else, pistas should also be had in moderation only. Just because you like them or they are good for you, you shouldn’t go overboard eating pistas. 

There are some wonderful benefits that this nut offers and especially when you are pregnant. So, make sure that you include pistas in your pregnancy diet but also ensure to keep them in moderation.

Nutritional Facts of Pista

• They are a rich source of energy and yet low on calories.

• They are packed with nutrients and 30 grams of pistas contain about 6 grams of protein and 2.8 grams of fiber.

• These nuts also contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and potassium.

• Pistachios are also full of several other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B-6, magnesium, calcium and iron.

Pista Benefits during Pregnancy

Now that you know about its nutritional profile, let us take a look at the health benefits of pistachio during pregnancy in detail.

Pistachios contain all the nutrients that are essential for your health as well as the growth of your baby. One serving of these nuts can almost fulfil all your daily requirements of potassium, iron, folate and calcium. So, here is why you should be eating pista during pregnancy.

1. Prevents Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is a very common problem among pregnant women. To avoid it, it is extremely essential to have foods that are rich in iron. One such amazing food is pistachio nuts. Pistachio is rich in iron as well as other essential minerals, helps accelerate the absorption of folate and helps in the formation of red blood cells.

So, adding pistachios to your diet during pregnancy will ensure that you stay away from anemia and that your iron levels are always maintained.

2. Growth of baby’s muscles and tissues

What you eat during your pregnancy makes a huge difference as that is also the only source of nutrition for your developing baby. So, the food doesn’t just nourish you but your baby as well. Just as good as pistas are for you, they are good for your baby too.

Since pistachios are a rich source of protein, pista benefits during pregnancy includes it being essential for your baby’s muscles and tissues. Eating pista aids in the development of your unborn baby’s muscles as well as tissues.

3. Help in balancing lipid levels

Another amazing benefit of pistachio in pregnancy is that it helps to balance the lipid levels. Since these nuts are a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, they help lower the levels of bad cholesterol and increase the levels of good cholesterol in the body. Thus, they help in balancing out the lipid levels.

Having your cholesterol levels in check is extremely important and more so when you are pregnant. And to help ensure that, eating pistachios regularly is a great way.

4. Help boost immunity

Well, pistas aren’t just taking care for specific health concerns but also for your overall health. Did you know that pistachios are extremely beneficial for boosting your overall immunity as well? Well, that is true as these nuts are a rich source of antioxidants like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, polyphenic compounds as well as carotenes that help in enhancing your overall immunity.

And since staying in the pink of your health is a must during your pregnancy, taking care of your overall immunity is very essential too. So, to keep diseases away and improve your body’s resistance, eating pista during pregnancy is a must.

5. Relieves constipation

Constipation is an issue that is very, very common in pregnant women, especially early in their pregnancy. You might have experienced it yourself or heard of someone who might have had it. Even though it may be common, it can often get annoying and frustrating.

To avoid it, again, pista is your answer. Pistachio in pregnancy is very beneficial as it helps provide relief from constipation. Since it is a very good source of fiber, eating pista during pregnancy will aid in better digestion and thus, help regulate your bowel movements. If you too suffer from constipation during pregnancy, make sure to pop a few pistas in your mouth everyday.

6. These nuts have anti-inflammatory properties

Increased inflammation during pregnancy can cause joint pains as well as swelling, two of the most common problems that pregnant women go through. As annoying as it might be, it can be easily treated by having foods like pistas.

Pista benefits during pregnancy include this wonderful benefit. And so, if you wish to get relief from joint pains, swelling as well as other inflammation-related issues, don’t forget to add pistachios to your daily diet. Isn’t this one of the most amazing pista benefits?

7. Essential for baby’s brain development

If you were thinking those were all the benefits that pistas have, well, there are more. One of the best of them is that eating pista during pregnancy is also beneficial for your baby’s brain development. These nuts contain a good amount of omega 3 fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acids. These fatty acids are known to be extremely good for the proper development of the baby’s brain.

So, to ensure that your baby’s brain develops well and there are no issues later in life, munch on some pistachios in pregnancy.

8. Help manage blood sugar levels

Well, pistachios are also good for you if you are suffering from gestational diabetes or your blood sugar levels tend to be on the higher side. Even pregnant women who have gestational diabetes can have pistachio in pregnancy without worrying. However, it is important to remember that you should eat raw pistachios instead of the salted ones as the salted ones are high on sodium.

Having a low glycaemic index, pistachios don’t cause blood sugar level spikes and hence, are good for you. Several studies have also shown that eating these nuts helps promote healthy blood sugar levels.

So these were the many pista benefits during pregnancy. However, you also need to keep a few things in mind before consuming them.

Tips for consuming pista during pregnancy to avoid side effects

• Again, moderation is the key here and you need to consume pistas in moderate quantities only. Having too much of it can give you stomach or digestion related issues such as diarrhoea, bloating or pain in the abdomen.

• It is best that you do not consume too much salt during your pregnancy as excess sodium can cause high blood pressure. So, when you choose your pistachios, make sure that you choose only the raw ones and not the salted ones to reap its wonderful benefits.

• Some women are known to have nut allergies and if you have a history of nut allergy, you should avoid eating pistachio in pregnancy.

Some FAQs on Eating Pista during Pregnancy

1. Can I eat pista everyday during pregnancy?

Yes, you can have a few pistachios everyday either on their own or along with other nuts. As they are quite healthy, there is no harm in consuming a little quantity daily unless you are allergic to them.

2.How many pistachios can I eat everyday during pregnancy? 

Even though healthy, anything in excess can prove harmful to your health. A handful of pistachios is recommended to have during your pregnancy. A handful is approximately 15 to 20 pistas daily. If you still have doubts on how many you should exactly consume, you should confirm once with your medical practitioner or doctor to know what suits your body the best.

3.Are there any side effects of eating pista during pregnancy?

When consumed in excessive quantities, it can lead to digestive issues. And if you have pistas that have high quantities of salt in it, it can cause high blood pressure.

4.What is the best time to have pistachio in pregnancy?

While there is no specific time for when you should have them, you can have a few with your breakfast. You can even eat pistachios in the evening as a snack. Just make sure that you do not eat them too close to your meal time.

How to consume pista during pregnancy?

One of the best things about pistas is that they are very versatile and can be included in your diet in a number of different ways. Here are a few ways of eating pista during pregnancy.

• Roast the pistas lightly and have them as they are. You can also mix them with other dried fruits and nuts and have it as a filling and nutritious snack.

• Toss some chopped pistachios on a bowl full of mixed fruits and enjoy their delicious crunchy taste.

• A few chopped or crushed pistachios can also be added to your milk, shakes or smoothies. Alternatively, you can also make a powder of pistachios with other dry fruits and mix a spoonful of it in a glass of milk and drink it daily. Even simple pista milk tastes delicious.

• A few finely diced pistachios can also be tossed over cereals, oatmeal or a bowl of yogurt or curd.

• Pistachios also go amazingly well with almost all kinds of desserts and you can just top your desserts with a few of these nuts.

• Pistas can also be added to savory recipes such as various chicken dishes pr soups.

Hope you like these super fun ways of having pistachio in pregnancy and you try them out.

Get Munching on some Pistchios

Here we talked about pista benefits during pregnancy, some interesting ways to include them in your diet, how many pistas you should consume in a day and answered some FAQs on consuming pista during pregnancy. Hope this cleared all your doubts on eating pista during pregnancy.

Remember that you should not worry about having pista in pregnancy unless you have been advised by your doctor to not have them. A few pistas daily will go a long way in keeping you healthy and fit. Also remember to choose only raw pistas to get the best, most amazing benefits out of them.

Also Read:

• Saffron During Pregnancy: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More
• How to Prepare Kashmiri Kahwa? The Best Way to Consume Saffron
• What is the Best Saffron Brand in India?
• Top 10 Benefits of Cashew Nuts [Scientifically Proven]
• Best Time to Eat Dry Fruits {Scientific Study}
• A Complete Guide on Using Dry Fruits for Weight Loss
• How to Consume Dry Fruits During Pregnancy?

Mir Saeid

Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.

Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace,  he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.