Doula Blog
All about Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum
Date palms are large trees that can produce up to 1,000 dates a year. They were the most common type of palm trees in the middle east during the time of Jesus. It is believed that it was the date palm leaves that were waived as Jesus humbly entered Jerusalem prior to his death and resurrection. Date palm trees are referred to throughout the old and New Testament to symbolize life, victory, righteousness, beauty and fertility!
The leaves and branches were used in the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures for making baskets, buildings and the fruits were eaten as a part of their meals. “The first reference to the date palm is when the children of Israel entered the desert after leaving Egypt (Exodus 15:27). Here, at Elim, they encountered palm trees just as a visitor in many parts of the Sahara today would find oases marked by palm trees.” (3) What Makes Dates a Superfood? Dates are considered a superfood because they are packed with vitamins and minerals that help with immune function, heart and brain health, the development of healthy bones, the regulation of hormones and can even help prepare your body for labor! Packed with Vitamins & Minerals! Dates are rich in iron, potassium, selenium & fiber- among many others! Iron rich foods help prevent anemia and increase energy. Especially when pregnant it is important to increase the consumption of iron rich foods. Your blood volume increases by about 45% when pregnant! (2) Other iron rich foods include red meats, liver, eggs, spinach, pumpkin seeds. Potassium in dates help to relax blood vessels, regulating normal blood pressure. Potassium works with sodium in your body to create a good balance of hydration in and around your cells. Try a refreshing glass of water with a pinch of salt and a slice of potassium-rich fresh lemon to boost hydration! Other good sources of potassium: bananas & leafy greens. Selenium is a mineral that acts like a powerful antioxidant in your body that has been shown to boost our bodies immune response making it easier to fight diseases. Other good sources of selenium are tuna, sunflower seeds, eggs, chicken, and sardines. Fiber helps to prevent and solve constipation issues- so common as a result of a typical American diet (high in sugar, low in fiber) and also in pregnancy! How can dates help prepare my body for labor? Eating about six days per day in the last four weeks of pregnancy has been shown to decrease labor time and help to soften the cervix. The softening of the cervix decreases the need for Pitocin (the artificial form of our naturally occurring oxytocin) to induce or augment labor. (1) Check out my blog post Pitocin vs Oxytocin to learn more! How can I eat more dates for all these health benefits?!
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