But are these grandma's recipes really beneficial and necessary for you and your baby?
Do they cause more harm then good? How can you gain weight in a healthy manner?
Khorak
Methi seeds (fenugreek seeds), raisins, dried coconut, almonds, elaichi, kesar and dried ginger are the ingredients used to make khorak. You may be given this delicacy for it's nutritional values.
Nutritionist Shweta Shahaney says that khorak can be had during pregnancy because it is rich in protein, calcium and fibre.
And don't worry, eating khorak will not harm you or your baby in anyway. But at the same time you have to remember that it is supposed to be eaten as a delicacy and not as a meal!
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This delicacy is usually made in Gujrati households.
Dinka laddoos(Gond laddoos)
Made of ghee, sugar and dinka, you may have heard that it helps in lactation for expecting mothers. These laddoos are usually prepared by Maharashtrian women.
Dietician Sushila Sharangdhar explains that while dinka does help in milk secretion, it does not make sense to have it during pregnancy.
You can have it after your pregnancy when you are going to breastfeed your baby. At the same time you should remember that this does not have any nutritional value as dinka is an edible gum.
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Basundi
This is another Maharashtrian delicacy given to pregnant women. Basundi is made by boiling milk till it is reduced to half or one-fourth it's consistency.
Sometimes a little bit of sugar, dried fruits and kesar are added to give it a flavour. It is rich in protein and calcium.
Sushila says that this is normally recommended for women who have a low appetite so that they get proteins and calcium in bulk.
However, if your appetite is fine, it makes more sense to have plain milk as it will provide you with the right amount of nutrition.
Fear not as basundi will not harm you or your baby.
Payasam or Kheer
Depending on which part of the country you belong to, kheer is made with milk and sugar and ingredients such as rice or vermicelli. You may be recommended this as a rich source of calcium.
Shweta says that while it does have milk properties in it, the excessive sugar used in it is avoidable. What happens with sugar is that you are putting on empty calories.
Once again, plain milk would be a better option.











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