Watermelon & Bananas dangerous to fetus during pregnancy - a myth?

Hi folks,

I love bananas & watermelon. But My mum has told me that I should refrain from eating any bananas or watermelon during the 9 months of pregnancy. She said that bananas contain a high concentration of some minerals. Watermelon has too much of a cooling effect on the body and would upset the Ying & Yang equilibrium. She mentioned this "advice" has been handed down many Chinese generations.

I googled bananas and watermelon on the web but could not find any substantiating evidence to support her claim.

Has anybody heard of this myth?

Mum3

I have never heard that before.

Never, ever heard either of these but maybe it's a Chinese 'thing'?

It would have to be a myth. I ate so many uneaten bananas of Noahs and a couple of watermelons too while pregnant with Xavier and he appears fine so far...

I havent heard that either. Bananas contain lots of potassium but I don't think in quantities to worry about. I've had loads of bananas so hope its allright!

Short answer... no they aren't dangerous, in fact bananas are a great source vitamins and minerals, and especially in the pregnancy months where you may not be getting enough. It is especially high in potassium which is great for (just watch out as they can cause constipation).

As for the watermelons... well that is a Chinese belief that during pregnancy you should avoid cooling foods as they make your Qi weaker. I think its the Qi. Anyway, theres a whole lot of thought behind it, but not a lot is valid.

I would say myth! I eat a banana every morning either on its own or in a smoothie - so good for you. I also ate a tonne of watermelon and cantelope whilst pg and my DS came out perfect :D

I haven't heard anything about watermelons or bananas but would avoid large quantities of pawpaw/papaya (small bits are ok). Large doses of the enzyme papain can cause uterine contractions and even spontaneous abortion (we're talking LOTS of pawpaw here mind you) - its a polynesian folk 'remedy' for an unwanted pregnancy. Don't stress if you've had a little bit in a fruit salad or smoothie but I wouldn't eat a whole papaya IYKWIM :o

Obviously whoever said that has never been pregnant in Australia during summer!! Watermelon is perfect food for pregnant women in this heat!! Mmmm I want some now :D

I ate heaps of bananas with DD too and she is perfect.

I'd have to say MYTH. They are both great fruits for you.

I have eaten them through my pregnancy.. and lots of them. I am into lots of natural stuff and I have NEVER heard this.

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I agree with Nai,
I sat and ate 1/2 watermelon to myself with DD1( summer PG) its the most refreshing thing ever
Frozen bananas are yummo too and it keeps the kids happy
I would imagine you would have to eat KILOS of certain fruits and veg for it to be a problem and I cant see anyone being able to eat such quantites, PG or not.
Sounds like a myth to me.

Bananas are a great source of potassium, which many pregnant women are low in. Just watch out you don't eat too many as they can constipate you.

As for watermelon, well my Yin's been yearning for it this summer and my Yang can go to blazes :p

i ate both all threw all my pregs and not a problem....i would say a myth.

Yum! I eat banana on toast nearly every morning.... and just bought a watermelon (very $$ one mind you...) to eat because I crave it at the moment......

Nothing wrong with a bit of fruit!

Yum, I want soe bannana's and watermelon now... I'm going to check the fridge...

I got a great email the other day about bananas. I'll quote some of it here:

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!
This is interesting.
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were help ed through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey.. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!!

OK I'm Probably really dumb - but why cann't we put the bannanas in the fridge???
I don't because they turn brown, but is that it?

Yes Misty. That's exactly why.

But, I must admit. I like them cold.

Does this mean i can still eat the banana smothered in sugar sandwhiches???

Errrrrrrrrrrr. .......gulp......... if you want to.......

I have eaten all fruits including watermelon and esp bananas through all 4 of my pregnancies. It's a myth for sure!

If you like them cold try peeliing them and then freezing them. You can dip them in chocolate before freezing and put them on a paddle pop stick. Tastes very good!!!

I've never heard of avoiding bananas and watermelon during pregnancy, I'd be inclined to say it's just a myth. A midwife at my local hospital was absolutely horrified when she found out I was eating peanut butter on toast while pregnant with DD though, she told me I had to avoid peanuts and strawberries because it could cause an allergic reaction in the fetus and I could miscarry or have a deformed baby or something... I totally ignored her because I could find absolutely no other evidence from any source that eating peanuts and strawberries while pregnant could kill or harm the baby in any way...
So I'd put them both in the myth basket and ENJOY :D
(I hate bananas though, so you're quite welcome to them haha :D)

Well this is a stretch but I though I'd throw it out there anyways. Maybe a nutritionist or a Dr. can help us out.

Watermelon is high in Arginine. In fact I think it has a high arginine to lysine ratio (both of those are amino acids).

People with viruses like herpes are told to try and eat foods that have a high lysine content in comparison to arginine. What can happen is that you could have a greater tendency to break out or get an infection.

So having a vaginal infection, could possibly (don't quote me here, I told you it is a stretch but I wanted to put it out there) or significantly raise your risk of your baby having a stroke. For example, no one knows what causes cerebral palsy but "some" people think it may come from an infection in the vaginal area that causes the baby to have a stroke. This is a theory.

Now I know a Doula who swears by Watermelon for pregnant woman. She says that it is the best thing for the amniotic fluid....to keep the numbers high and properly flushed...the whole diuretic thing. Also, this doula says to have lots of sex. That the sperm helps soften the sac and allow an easier pregnancy. Again, I think that could also be high risk if you get an infection.

Well, this is a reach but I was just trying to figure out "how" watermelon could be bad. For banana I could think of nothing. Hope I didn't scare anybody too much.

I really hope is a myth since those are my two favorite fruits and I been eating them alot! :redface:

when i was in hospital at the start of my pregnancy the doctor told me to eat lots of bananas every day to assist my potassium levels. so surely they wouldn't tell me to eat them if they we're dangerous in any way.

Never heard of it.

With DS1 I CRAVED Watermelon. I would eat half of one a day for months. Only thing wrong with him is he steals watermelon out of the fridge. LOL.

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Never heard of it.

With DS1 I CRAVED Watermelon. I would eat half of one a day for months. Only thing wrong with him is he steals watermelon out of the fridge. LOL.

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OMG! thats terrible! hahahaha... :dance: cute!