Kvass is rightfully considered a traditional Russian drink, which is still loved and appreciated for its taste and nutritional properties, although it was invented more than a thousand years ago. In Russia, it was cooked in barracks and hospitals - it was believed that this product increases working capacity and maintains health.
It is known that pregnancy imposes its limitations on the diet of women. Is there a place for kvass in it?
Kvass is a delicious drink with a pleasant bread aroma and sweet and sour taste. It is obtained as a result of fermentation - yeast gives such a reaction. Wort for kvass is made from flour, malt or bread, and to add more flavor to it, honey, berries or fruits can be added to it.
The value of kvass is not only in its taste and ability to quench thirst. This drink has an excellent composition:
During the fermentation process, microorganisms appear in kvass that normalize digestion and fight against.
According to the effect on the body, kvass is often compared with kefir or yogurt. In addition, it has a high nutritional and energy value, so a glass of an invigorating drink can replace a light snack.
You can talk about the healing power of kvass only if it is of high quality.
The word "kvass" may mean differently prepared drinks with excellent properties. The following should be highlighted:
Our ancestors greatly appreciated homemade bread kvass, carefully observed the cooking technology and naturalness of the composition. Its main ingredients are rye crackers and yeast, which transform the bread carbohydrates into lactic acid and alcohol during fermentation.
There are many kvass recipes that are used to make a drink. Those who drink it regularly talk about improving performance, vitality and good mood.
The great popularity of kvass has led to the fact that it began to be produced on an industrial scale. So, as an alternative to a home-made drink, bottled kvass appeared.
Manufacturers of the drink may argue that their product is no different from home, but this is not true. Most often, industrial carbonated kvass, besides natural ingredients (and sometimes instead of them) contains preservatives, antioxidants, sweeteners, and artificial flavors. The production technology is also violated: it is obtained not by fermentation, but by mixing certain proportions of kvass wort, sugar, citric and lactic acid. Even less conscientious brands give their drink a taste of kvass with chemical additives. Such products can not be called kvass - it is a regular carbonated drink that certainly will not bring any benefit to the body.
Draft kvass in barrels often seduces during the heat. But even if the drink itself is of high quality, there is no guarantee that the barrel is cleaned and disinfected in accordance with sanitary standards. Storage conditions and expiration dates also raise concerns. Neglecting such rules can cause big problems - poisoning, nausea, intestinal infections.
Kvass can be made not only from bread or crackers, but also from malt, which, when properly prepared and stored, is especially beneficial for the body, since it contains, among other things, a huge amount of macro- and microelements.
Malt is a product obtained from germinated grain (wheat, barley, rye, oats or millet). Making it at home is not always possible, as some of its varieties require special processing and aging conditions.
When buying malt kvass, you need to carefully read the information on the label. It should include water, sugar, yeast and malt, and the shelf life cannot be more than two months. Be sure to find an indication that the product is obtained by fermentation. But even if it satisfies all these requirements, it still cannot be called 100% natural. The drink in the bottle is made carbonated, which allows it to be stored longer than homemade, therefore the qualities inherent in self-made kvass cannot be attributed to it.
The fact that causes the most doubt among expectant mothers is the presence of alcohol in kvass. Indeed it is. But its proportion is so small that only a tiny fraction gets into the placenta, while the B vitamins, the content of which is very high in the drink, positively affect the formation of the nervous system of the unborn baby.
In home-made kvass, the alcohol content rarely exceeds 1.2%; in bottled, its share may be 0.7–3%. This information must be indicated on the label. Most doctors agree that such a volume of ethyl alcohol can in no way harm.
Although each pregnancy proceeds individually, there are general recommendations and limitations regarding the use of kvass.
This is the most crucial stage, because the female body is just starting to get used to the changes that are taking place. If, before pregnancy, mother did not drink kvass, then this is not the right time to get carried away with it. A bread drink is a product of fermentation, so similar processes are launched in the intestine. In turn, this causes increased gas formation and, as a consequence, uterine hypertonicity. This condition is very dangerous in the first trimester, as it can provoke a miscarriage.
Starting from the fourth month, the calmest period occurs when the baby is born. Mom’s body has already taken its new role, toxicosis has receded, a small stomach allows you to maintain a moderately active lifestyle. High-quality natural kvass at this time is able to give a woman good health and direct all her useful components to maintain health. If there are no contraindications, then you can drink this drink in the second trimester without fear. Caution will require only a tendency to edema. In this case, you first need to evaluate the body's response to a small amount of kvass.
At the last stage of pregnancy, uterine tone again requires great attention. As in the early stages, its cause may be increased gas formation. But during this period the danger consists in premature birth. If the situation does not cause concern for the doctor, then the use of kvass plays a positive role: a mild laxative effect will prevent constipation, and a moderate fermentation process will have a massaging effect on the walls of the uterus, preparing it for the upcoming work.
So, you can drink kvass during pregnancy if you follow a few rules:
The only suitable type of kvass, the quality of which you can not worry about, is prepared on its own. Among the wide variety of recipes there is sure to be the most delicious and beloved.
Despite all the benefits and value of kvass, doctors have several direct contraindications to its use during pregnancy.
During the bearing of the child, the female body gives all its strength to the baby, often leaving the mother without the components necessary for good health. Due to its rich composition, kvass maintains the state of a pregnant woman, strengthens tooth enamel, tones up, speeds up metabolism, promotes the formation of healthy microflora in the intestines and is an excellent prevention of constipation. And its vitamin composition is useful for both women and babies.
In the absence of contraindications and confidence in the quality and origin of kvass, 1-2 glasses per day will only benefit. But if after drinking the drink discomfort is noticeable, you need to immediately remove it from the daily diet.
A woman awaiting the appearance of a baby is not just attracted to some product. If the expectant mother is unbearably hungry for kvass, although before it was not a habitual component of the diet, this may indicate a lack of B vitamins. In this situation, it is worth listening to the doctor's recommendations, and when using the drink, take measures (up to two glasses a day).
To make up for the lack of vitamins, you need to diversify the diet with products such as eggs, fish, nuts, broccoli, liver, legumes, bananas, cabbage, cereals, kefir.
There is a popular belief that pregnancy is the happiest time in a woman’s life. On the one hand, this is indeed so, because the expectant mother already mentally imagines how she will raise her baby, and feels the development of a real miracle in herself. But before a little mother’s joy is born, a woman has to go through many trials. Not only that, you have to change the usual regime of the day and nutrition, as well as physical activity, and weather conditions are not always friendly to the ladies in position.
Those who were pregnant in the summer, know firsthand how difficult it is to walk in the heat, and at home at forty degrees it is also not cold at all. It is clear that a woman has a growing need for fluid intake, and she is bored of drinking water alone. You can’t drink tea in the heat, and stewed fruits also become boring over time. Freshly squeezed juices are a good option, but it is not always possible to drink fresh, and not all fruits are equally safe during pregnancy, most of them can cause allergic reactions. Since sweet water with preservatives and dyes is strictly forbidden to expectant mothers, it is not surprising that women are looking for an alternative. Kvass, familiar to all of us from childhood, can become such an alternative. But is it possible to drink kvass during pregnancy, and will it harm the baby? Let's try to figure it out.
Most doctors are of the opinion that kvass can not harm the human body if you drink it in moderation. Moreover, it contains useful substances that favorably affect the human body. Many expectant mothers worry that kvass during pregnancy can provoke an increase in weight. In fact, the yeast contained in kvass is not able to accumulate in the body in the form of extra pounds, however, increase appetite. A useful property of kvass can be called its mild laxative effect, which may be more useful than ever during pregnancy. Kvass is categorically contraindicated in women with increased uterine tone, pathology of fetal development and in the presence of a threat of termination of pregnancy. With caution, you need to use kvass for flatulence.
Is it possible for pregnant women to drink kvass, or even such an extra-low-alcohol drink can be dangerous for the future baby? The opinions of doctors are divided here, but the majority still believes that this drink cannot harm in moderate amounts and will only bring benefits, since it contains many different vitamins and minerals, has a pleasant taste and perfectly quenches thirst. It is better to drink kvass than carbonated drinks saturated with dyes and flavors.
However, not every kvass is good. We would not recommend pregnant women to drink purchased kvass. And not only the one that is sold in stores (it also contains a lot of “chemistry” and unnatural components, even gases are created artificially, and not because of fermentation), but also on bottling. Barrel kvass is often of dubious quality. This is one point. Another is the lack of any hygiene standards. The kvass that is sold in markets from small barrels is the most dangerous. Pumps that help pump this drink out of the barrel, as well as nobody taps the faucets, they are lying in dirty boxes, boxes, and various microorganisms multiply in them. Do not forget that kvass droplets remain in the faucets - an excellent medium for the reproduction of all kinds of bacteria. And these bacteria can easily end up in your glass. Moreover, do not buy such kvass in bottles provided by sellers (it is not known where these bottles come from). In general, if you really want to buy such a “live” kvass, then do it at a stationary point, and not at a dusty market or near a highway where you can easily buy even expired or spoiled drink (by the way, it gives a sour-bitter taste) from the seller who do not have a medical book (you never know what the patient is) and do not comply with sanitary standards.
Pregnant drink kvass can be home-made. Making kvass is easy and independent; finding recipes is not a problem. You can certainly have no doubt about the quality of such a drink. And no preservatives! Another nice feature - kvass is a good prevention of constipation, a very mild laxative.
Of course, kvass also has its negative aspects. You should not drink it to those pregnant women who suffer from increased gas formation, and most of them. Kvass can thus cause uterine tone. If the future mother has a threat of abortion, then this can be quite dangerous.
Kvass also contains yeast, because of which some doctors oppose it, believing that yeast is an extra calorie. In fact, yeast simply stimulates the appetite. But many products from our table are of the same quality. With moderate consumption, there will be no excess weight.
We hope that now you will not have a question - is it possible for pregnant kvass. A product is quite harmless if it is fresh and the manufacturer has followed the correct cooking technology.
To answer the question of whether it is possible for pregnant women to drink kvass, it definitely will not work, because for some, it is contraindicated, but in general for most women in small quantities you can drink. More details can be read below.
And now let's dwell on this in more detail.
Kvass is obtained as a result of fermentation, that is, it is a natural drink. This product is known from the most ancient times, it was made by different peoples, including in Russia. Kvass was loved by both the poor and the rich, it was on the table in a wide variety, with various additives, served for festive treats and on weekdays. Until now, it is considered useful for adults and children, as well as for pregnant women. But women who have a baby need to know how much and how to consume a drink so as not to harm themselves and the baby.
In ancient times, kvass was a drunken drink, it was made for feasts, and its alcohol content was high. When they learned how to make vodka, kvass passed from the category of intoxicating drinks to the soft one, which they drank in the hot season and prepared liquid cold first dishes on it. Until now, okroshka is a favorite food of all the peoples inhabiting Russia and neighboring countries.
The basis of the preparation of kvass is a must, its fermentation is achieved with the help of yeast, and the basis of the wort can be flour, malt, crackers, fruits.
The expectant mother, on the contrary, needs to eat well and not deny herself in hot weather to drink what she likes.
There are many varieties of kvass, it can be lemon or apple, beetroot or with the addition of raisins, but the most common and easiest to prepare is bread kvass. In order to start kvass at home, you can buy a ready-made concentrate in the store or use crackers from rye bread for this.
Pregnancy is not a disease; there are no strict prohibitions on the diet and consumption of soft drinks. The expectant mother, on the contrary, needs to eat well and not deny herself in hot weather to drink what she likes. If you always wanted kvass to quench your thirst, then while carrying a child, drink it to your health, but subject to some restrictions.
At the initial stages of pregnancy in the first trimester, the pregnant woman undergoes adaptation processes, the body begins to rebuild and get used to the fact that a new life is ripening in his bosom. Doctors warn a woman that now she needs to be careful with her foods. She herself feels responsible, and before drinking or eating something, she wonders if this will harm the baby. You need to remember information about how kvass will act on your body:
Therefore, in the first trimester, it is better not to use kvass.
In the second trimester, toxicosis is already behind, many of the baby’s organs have formed, and the woman is feeling well. She is mobile, she still has a small stomach, and her appetite recovered. Therefore, there are few prohibitive measures in food and drink, and the list of products not recommended for pregnant women with a period of 4-6 months is minimal. Kvass does not apply to them. It will not harm the future mother and child, but it is still necessary to limit its use if there is one of the following reasons:
Pregnant kvass is useful with its rich vitamin and mineral content, but within reasonable limits. The maximum amount of drink consumed is calculated in two glasses per day. You can no longer, even if you really want to, and you are used to quench their thirst.
The third trimester is the most difficult period of pregnancy. During these months, you must again be extremely careful and drink only those drinks that do not contribute to gas formation. This is due to the fact that flatulence provokes an increase in uterine tone and can cause premature birth. But this is the worst option, more often there is an increase in edema, which is quite noticeable in recent months. There are pluses to consuming kvass at this time, they are that digestion improves, and light fermentation in the intestines is a moderate internal massage of the uterus. The conclusion is that you can drink kvass, but you need to carefully monitor how it affects your well-being. At the slightest discomfort, it should be abandoned.
Doctors advise pregnant women not to deny themselves a favorite drink, if after drinking it you feel a surge of strength and an improvement in mood. Cautions concern the first trimester and some caution is needed in the third trimester.
The effect of kvass on the gastrointestinal tract is especially strong. It creates an acidic environment in the digestive tract, and for pregnant women with high acidity can bring unpleasant consequences. They consist in heartburn and exacerbation of diseases such as gastritis, enterocolitis, stomach ulcers.
Fermentation, which is the basis for the preparation of the drink, is a source of increased gas formation. For pregnant women, this effect is harmful at any time, it leads to bloating and flatulence. Both of these phenomena are dangerous for the uterus. Despite the fact that gases are formed in the intestines, it affects the uterus. Anxiety in the swollen intestines leads to an increase in the tone of the uterus, which can lead to its reduction.
If kvass is your favorite drink and you drink it a lot, then do not be surprised at the intensification of edema. This product has the ability to retain moisture in the body, so the legs, stomach become bloated, and the face is puffy.
Kvass with a normal alcohol content of up to 1.2% is practically safe for mother and child. But there are types of drink in which the alcohol percentage is higher, pregnant women should not drink such kvass. Women who have an intolerance to alcohol, kvass is strictly prohibited, because it will cause an immediate allergic reaction.
Forgetting kvass should be for those who have gastritis and a stomach ulcer, and also have a number of other health problems:
Having assessed the indications and contraindications for the use of kvass, each pregnant woman should make a conclusion for herself whether she can drink kvass or whether it is better not to endanger the child and her health.
Even in the absence of warnings against leaven to drink, you can use it no more than two glasses a day. But in addition to the amount of drink, it is important which kvass should be consumed and how.
Regarding the methods of use, we can say that the drink should not be drunk. Having stood for several hours in the refrigerator, kvass loses part of its useful properties and can cause diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In hot weather, or if necessary, take a drink on the road, some freeze it, and then drink with ice. Remember that this is a completely useless and dangerous drink. From minus temperatures, all healthy components are destroyed in it.
The easiest way is to purchase bottled kvass. But when using, ask what the composition of this product is. If it has chemical flavorings or other unnatural elements, it is better to abandon store products and make kvass yourself. But if the drink is of high quality, then it will only have healthy ingredients - malt, water, yeast, sugar and additives in the form of berries and fruits. Such a drink can be drunk.
Be sure to pay attention to the expiration date of the bottled product. A carbonated drink with fermentation components that has exceeded the set time is doubly dangerous. Firstly, they can be poisoned, and secondly, it increases the alcohol content. Even one sip of such a potion can cause belching and nausea. And if you drink a glass, then it is possible.
Barrel carbonated kvass for pregnant women is a prohibited product. Remember that when spilling into a barrel, sterility cannot be observed. This kvass is not recommended to drink primarily for hygiene reasons.
Remains homemade kvass. It is the safest drink in terms of creation and storage. You make it yourself and put only high-quality products. Drink it to your health, but do not forget about moderation in everything.
A categorical ban on the use of kvass applies to pregnant women who, during gestation, have features in the state of the uterus and pregnancy pathology, as well as deviations in the development of the fetus.
Thus, kvass is a healthy drink for everyone, including pregnant women. But at certain periods of bearing the fetus and with some abnormalities in the course of pregnancy, it is necessary to abandon it. With good health, the use of kvass should be moderate. Remember that pregnant women can do everything that is not forbidden, but little by little.
During pregnancy, it is very important to establish a drinking regimen. Herbal teas, berry fruit drinks, diluted juices do not cause concern. However, the expectant mother may want a cold, sweet and sour kvass with the aroma of rye bread. And if before pregnancy it was possible to drink it without restrictions, then during the gestation period it is necessary to think about how the drink will affect the baby. Despite the fact that doctors do not prohibit it, it is necessary to know when kvass is contraindicated, and when, on the contrary, it will be beneficial.
Kvass is considered a traditional Russian drink. However, before it was served at weddings and holidays as a drunken drink, since the alcohol content was approximately 12%. In addition, knowing the healing properties of kvass, it was prescribed after a serious illness to restore the body. Currently, the alcohol level is about 1.2%, and even children from 3 years old consume kvass. It not only quenches thirst well, but also contains many useful vitamins, amino acids, trace elements. Among them are the following:
Often during pregnancy, a woman really wants a certain product or drink. If she had a strong desire to drink kvass, and it is contraindicated to her, then perhaps the future mother does not have enough B vitamins. In this case, you can add more meat, fish, vegetables, cereals, nuts to the menu. It is also recommended to inform the doctor, if necessary, he may prescribe to take additional vitamins that are missing from the body.
If kvass did not cause any negative reactions in the future mother before pregnancy, then you can use it. However, it is necessary to take into account some restrictions imposed by the term.
The beginning of pregnancy is not accidentally considered the most critical period, because at this time all the organs and systems of the baby are laid. Since the placenta begins to form only in the middle of the trimester, the child at this time is very vulnerable. That is why doctors warn against the use of alcohol, medications and other harmful substances in the initial period that can adversely affect the health of the crumbs.
The alcohol content in kvass is small, approximately 1.5%, which is not much more than in kefir. However, the opinions of experts on this subject are still different. Most believe that such a small amount of alcohol can not affect the baby. However, there are those who claim that there is a negative effect, and it can cause pathologies. Of particular danger is a period of 4-6 weeks. It is at this time that all the organs and systems of the crumbs are formed, therefore, under the influence of alcohol, developmental deviations may occur.
In addition, another danger may arise during this period. Since kvass causes fermentation, which causes increased gas formation, the risk of uterine tonus increases. The latter is very dangerous at such a short time and can cause an abortion.
Nevertheless, if a pregnant woman is worried about severe toxicosis, then kvass can help relieve nausea. It is enough to take a couple of sips to feel relief. It should be emphasized that kvass should be used to eliminate the symptoms of toxicosis only for those women who do not have the threat of miscarriage and other pathologies of pregnancy.
The period from 14 to 26 weeks is the most prosperous and calm time. The toxicosis has already ended, the weight is still small, all the most important organs are formed. If the pregnancy is proceeding well, there are no pathologies, the expectant mother is not worried about edema, then you can use kvass. It is during this period that the drink is the safest and most healthy. Due to the content of vitamins and minerals in it, it contributes to:
However, it should be noted that despite all the useful properties of kvass, it is necessary to remember the measure of its use. Drinking a drink is recommended no more than 1-2 glasses per day.
In the later stages, the future mother should be no less careful than at the beginning of pregnancy. The kid has greatly increased in size, he puts pressure on all internal organs. In addition, often by the end of pregnancy, a woman is faced with the problem of edema of the upper and lower extremities. Since the drink has an effect on the kidneys, complicating their work, the swelling from its use only intensifies. In addition, pressure on the intestines leads to flatulence, an increase in the tone of the uterus, which in the later stages can provoke a premature birth.
However, the positive effect of kvass is that it acts as a natural laxative. Often women experience bowel problems during pregnancy, they are tormented by constipation. The drink helps to soften feces without the use of drugs. As a rule, experts recommend limiting the use of kvass in the later stages. However, if there are no edema, kidney problems, high blood pressure and other complications, then in moderation it can be useful.
Kvass is a very tasty and healthy drink, however, and it has its own contraindications. If pregnancy is complicated by increased tone, swelling, excess weight, and also diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, then you should not drink the drink.
Kvass causes fermentation in the intestine, which leads not only to gas formation, but also to an increased tone of the uterus. This is especially dangerous at the beginning of pregnancy, when the risk of spontaneous abortion is high, as well as at the end, when premature birth is possible. If the expectant mother is diagnosed with hypertonicity, then she should refuse to use kvass.
Most often, by the end of the term, the pregnant woman faces edema. They are dangerous for the development of hypoxia, when the baby in the womb lacks oxygen. Kvass can aggravate this condition because it retains water in the body. In this case, the drink can not be consumed.
Kvass is a low-calorie drink, but the presence of yeast in it can increase appetite. Therefore, if a pregnant woman is actively gaining excess weight, then it should not be abused. This is especially true for store kvass, in which there are many sweeteners. In addition, its glycemic index is 30. This means that kvass causes significant fluctuations in blood sugar, so an increase in body weight is possible.
If the expectant mother has diseases such as gastritis, duodenitis, esophagitis, ulcers, then kvass, which creates an acidic environment, can aggravate them. In addition, pregnant women are often worried about heartburn, which only intensifies with the use of the drink.
Thus, if a woman has no contraindications for the use of kvass, then she can safely drink it, observing the daily norm. However, it should be distinguished which drink will benefit and which one can do harm.
The unique taste of kvass is associated with summer heat and barrels filled with this drink. However, pregnancy requires increased caution. It is believed that barrel kvass differs from home kvass only in industrial sizes of production. However, in fact, the main problem of such a purchase is compliance with sanitary standards. It is not known in what conditions kvass was made, how clean the barrels themselves were, how long they stood in the summer heat, etc. Therefore, buying such kvass is strongly discouraged.
“Kvass” or “Kvass drink” sold in stores does not correspond to real kvass in composition. Flavoring is provided by flavorings, sweeteners are added for taste, dyes are used for color, and preservatives are used to increase shelf life. Such a composition can lead to allergies, as well as disrupt the digestive tract, cause discomfort in the stomach. Therefore, it is better to refrain from such a purchase.
If the expectant mother wants to buy exactly the kvass, then you should pay attention to the composition. It should contain water, sugar, yeast, malt, and from additives - berries, herbs, nuts. Another option is to purchase kvass in kegs at a fixed point. However, this is a good option only if the store and its owner are familiar.
Only if you prepare kvass yourself, you can be sure of its quality and freshness. This is the safest option, which is recommended to stay pregnant. As a rule, in every family, older women keep their family recipe for making a drink. If not, then you can use the following simple option:
Finally
Kvass is not only very tasty, but also a healthy drink. However, one should not forget that during pregnancy one should be especially careful. The fact that in the normal state can cause minor inconvenience, such as gas formation, during gestation can provoke serious problems, if there are prerequisites for this. If pregnancy proceeds without complications, then you can treat yourself to a wonderful drink, but do not forget about its daily rate.
Specially for - Elena Kichak