Pregnant women are often prone to urinary tract infections which are caused by the growing fetus. When women urinate, the gushing action of the urine washes away any harmful bacteria. When pregnant, however, women tend to urinate in smaller amounts due to the pressure of the growing fetus on the bladder. As a result, the bacteria are not washed away and can cause urinary tract infections. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), which act as a barrier to bacteria, preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining and preventing infection.
Heartburn is another frequent pregnancy concern, and a common cause of this condition: bacteria. The same PACs in cranberries that prevent urinary tract infections can also prevent stomach bacteria from causing heartburn and even ulcers.
Cooking and consuming
The healthiest way to eat cranberries is to gently simmer them in water until they pop open. Unfortunately, cranberries are not only unsweet, but they are bitter. They require large amounts of sugar to become palatable. Processed cranberries, like cranberry jelly, cranberry juice and dried cranberries, all contain so much sugar that the nutritional benefits of the cranberry are severely hampered by the sugar. To avoid this, we recommend drinking unsweetened cranberry juice (or lightly sweeten it with agave or another natural sweetener), or after cooking fresh cranberries, hide them in healthy muffins, sauces or even meatloaf. Use your imagination and give your favorite dishes an added flavor and nutritional punch.
Craving cranberry
If a pregnancy craving for this wonder fruit occurs, juice is the most convenient form if you are OK not getting the fruit’s fiber benefit. But always look for naturally sweetened or unsweetened juices. Sweetened varieties are high in sugar and empty calories, with one 8-ounce glass of cranberry cocktail having up to 140 calories and 30 grams of sugar. Considering women only need an extra 300 calories per day to support a growing baby, this simple juice craving can put you into an unhealthy zone. So when it comes to cranberries, go natural.