As an expectant mother, your baby’s well-being is as important to you as your well-being; this leads to being more meticulous with the things you do, what you eat, and your physical appearance.
Consuming some very nutritious foods like sago pearls during pregnancy contributes significantly to the general well-being of both you and your baby during and after the pregnancy.
What Are Sago Pearls?
Otherwise known as Sabudana by the Indians, sago Pearls are extracted from the edible parts of tropical palm tree roots.
It is very nutritious and recommended to be included in your diet due to its numerous health benefits.
It contains high-calorie content since it is mostly starch. It is gluten-free and can be an excellent substitute for wheat and grains, making it harmless to people who have celiac disease.
Nutrient Content of Sago Pearls
In terms of a variety of nutrients, Sago Pearls isn’t nutrient-dense, but it contains heavy carbs and a small number of other nutrients like protein, fat, and fiber.
Its high-calorie content is suitable for replenishing energies, especially after long hours of fasting.
This is why Indians especially consume a lot of Sago Pearls, aside from its taste.
It contains highly connected glucose molecules that give them the energy they require during fasting periods, making it a good source of carbohydrates for pregnant women.
Nutrient Content
- Carbs: 83 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Fat: 1 gram
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Zinc: 11% RDI
This is the nutrient content in every 100 grams of Sago Pearls.
Although it lacks other nutrients compared to carbs, it balances out adequately when combined with foods that are heavy on the other nutrients like vegetables rich in fiber, fish, or meat with high protein content and fruits.
Can I Eat Sago Pearls During Pregnancy?
Yes, due to the high-calorie content in Sabudana, consuming Sago Pearls during pregnancy can significantly benefit the baby and mother.
It provides the body with sufficient energy needed for both the baby and the mother with other nutrients (vitamin B and folate) that aid the development of the fetus. It also has a cooling effect on the body.
Benefits of Sago Pearls During pregnancy
Although the most significant benefit of Sago Pearls during pregnancy is the energy it provides the expectant mother, there are several other benefits of including Sago Pearls in your diet, whether pregnant or not.
1. It Enhances Your Task Performance
Carrying out tasks that require you to expend much energy will require you to have the needed energy for it, tasks like your daily exercises, lifting heavy items, or even just going through a fast since you wouldn’t be eating much food.
2. It Aids Weight Gain
Sago Pearls is very good for underweight people. Its dense carbs are a good source of weight gain.
It also helps for the uniform distribution of lipids in the body, which helps build essential fats responsible for the development of the body.
3. Development of the Baby
Sabudana or sago Pearls are rich in vitamin B6 and folate, which are essential for the baby’s growth. It also helps to protect the baby from neural tube defects.
4. It Improves Digestion
Sago Pearls are a good source of resistant starch, which can help improve digestion. The resistant starch goes to the stomach undigested through to the colon, promoting the growth of gut bacteria, which is a healthy bacteria that aids digestion.
The resistant starch also makes the stool bulky and prevents constipation.
5. They’re Rich In Polyphenols
Sago Pearls are also rich in polyphenols such as tannins and flavonoids, which are antioxidants that help boost immunity, reduce inflammation and neutralize harmful free molecules in the body that may cause any related diseases.
These free molecules are usually the primary cause of diseases like cancer or cardiovascular issues.
6. It Helps To Regulate Blood Pressure
Different home remedies can regulate blood pressure, but a healthy diet is one to try when trying to control blood pressure.
The potassium present in Sago Pearls can aid blood flow in the body and reduce the chances of a stroke or heart attack.
7. Rich in Calcium & Magnesium
It contains calcium and magnesium, which are suitable for developing strong and heavy bones, which reduces the risks of arthritis.
8. It Contains a High Level Of Amylose
Sago Pearls contain a high level of amylose, a long chain of glucose starch.
Amylose takes longer to digest, causing the body to release a limited amount of sugar. This helps to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body.
Read Also: Can I Drink Thai Iced Tea During Pregnancy? Explained
How to Consume Sago Pearls during pregnancy
Sago Pearls offer a variety of nutrients both in high and low content and can be consumed in different ways while still maintaining their tastiness.
You can make it into a pudding, deep-fried or shallow-fried, or pancakes.
Sago Pearls also go well when combined with other foods like vegetables, chicken curry stew, and salads. This improves the taste and nutritional value.
Recipes for Preparing Sago Pearls
Although there are different ways to enjoy Sago Pearls during pregnancy, there are a few recipes to prepare an excellent dish.
Sago Khichdi
This is a simple yet tasty dish that involves using other food ingredients with great nutritional value.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of soaked Sago Pearls; the sago Pearls should be soaked for at least 6 hours.
- 2 boiled Potatoes
- ½
- Crushed roasted peanuts
- 2 green chilies
- ½ tablespoon of cumin seeds
- Salt
- ½ tablespoon of oil
How to prepare
- Heat some oil and fry the chilies and cumin seeds for about 15 seconds
- Mix the boiled potatoes with the frying chili and cumin seeds mix.
- Add the soaked Sago Pearls and crushed roasted peanuts and mix well.
- Cover the mixture and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes.
- Stir from time to time to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
- Serve with any vegetable of your choice.
Sago kheer
This is a great dish to add to your diet during pregnancy; asides from satisfying your cravings, it is tasty and healthy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of sago Pearls soaked for at least 3 hours
- 3 cups of milk
- 2 tablespoons of chopped dry fruits
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 tablespoon of cardamom powder
- 3 strands of saffron
How to prepare
1. Put the milk on low heat, sieve the soaked Sago Pearls, and add to the milk while stirring until it turns translucent. This indicates that the pearls are cooked and soft.
2. In a separate pan, fry the butter and chopped dry fruits until it turns golden brown.
3. Add the cooked Sago Pearls and milk to the fried fruits and allow to boil.
4. Add the saffron and cardamom powder and stir into a pudding.
5. Bring it to a boil for another minute and serve.
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FAQs
Who should not eat sabudana?
Those on a weight loss diet should not consume sabudana regularly since it is high in calories and starches.
Additionally, consuming too much sabudana may result in digestive disorders such as bloating and constipation, especially for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Is sabudana good for gestational diabetes?
Sabudana is an excellent gluten-free energy source but contains a high glycemic index.
Consuming sabudana in moderation is therefore recommended, especially if you are diabetic. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, you should avoid sabudana and look for lower GI carbohydrates.
Does sago have sugar?
Starches are complex carbs that consist of many connected glucose molecules. Glucose is a sugar that the body uses as an energy source.
Does sago have calcium?
Mineral content in sago is limited, but it contains small amounts of copper, iron, and calcium.
These can help create bone tissues, strengthen bone mineral density, prevent the onset of osteoporosis, and prevent inflammation throughout the body.
How long does sago last?
Place cooked sago in an enclosed container submerged in water for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, while sago cooked in brown sugar can be stored for a week or so, immersed in its syrup.
Are tapioca pearls the same as sago?
Sago is an edible starch derived from the pith of tropical palm trees. In tropical regions, it is a staple food. On the other hand, Tapioca pearls are made with tapioca or the starch from cassava, a root crop.
Is sago a cereal?
Rice, maize, other cereal grains, and starches such as sago (made from the sago palm pith) and tapioca (from cassava tubers) are still the staple foods of the world’s world’s population.
Is sago acidic or alkaline?
The sago palm thrives in highly acidic conditions (low pH) and high concentrations of metals in the soil, such as aluminum, iron, and manganese, inhibiting other plants’ growth.
Conclusion
Consuming Sago Pearls during pregnancy is advantageous for women since they need enough energy to carry the baby.
And not just for the mother but also for the unborn child since it contains nutrients that aid fetal development and enhance blood circulation.
