5 WAYS TO EAT DATES - HEALTHY PREGNANCY TIPSDATES!

By Joanne Sea  - Toronto Birth & Postpartum Doula  -  ​http://www.joannesea.com/

​Many people who live in desert climates know these fruits well. Date palm fruit originates from the Middle East and is still grown in large amounts there and in Northern Africa. 

I'm sure that women in these places have known for a long time about the benefits of dates for pregnancy. The knowledge comes from there first. There's also been a small study from Jordan that found amazing results for women eating 6 dates per day in the last month of pregnancy. 

Eating date fruit, beginning at 36 weeks gestation, can

• help you go into spontaneous labour (instead of requiring induction)
• reduce the use of drugs to speed up your labour
• reduce the length of the first stage of labour (all the time before you begin pushing)

Dates are a great source of fiber, magnesium, potassium, and small amounts of iron and calcium. There are tons of different varieties of dates. My favourite is definitely medjool dates, which can be found at most grocery stores in my area. 

 SO, HERE'S 5 WAYS TO EAT DATES!

1. ENERGY BALLS BY MINIMALIST BAKER

​My sister/doula client introduced me to this recipe and I have eaten these almost every day since. These taste like cookie dough, no exaggeration. Head over to  Minimalist Baker  for the recipe!




2. SMOOTHIES - 2 WAYS
For a green smoothie: Blend 2 ripe bananas, 2 medjool dates, 1/2 a cucumber, 3 leaves of romaine lettuce, water + green powder (optional, but it helps to get extra greens in - I use barley grass. Other options: spirulina, Daily Green Boost).


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And for dessert: Blend up 3 ripe bananas, 3 medjool dates, 1 cup milk of your choice, 1 cup water, 1/4 cocoa powder + 2 tablespoons almond or peanut butter. 





3. RAW GRANOLA
In a food processor, mix 1 cup of dates and 1 cup of oats + then add other toppings you want! Choose from: desiccated coconut, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, raisins, dried cranberries, nuts. Top with fresh fruit, yogurt, etc. You can try eating this with your choice of milk, or on top of a smoothie bowl. 
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4. TURTLES (without supporting Nestle)
Remove the pit from a medjool date, and add a walnut half or a pecan in its place. Dip in melted dark chocolate. These taste like Turtles, I swear.



5. JUST EAT THEM!
 I will grab them as a quick snack when I'm going out, or something to eat while I make dinner (to keep the hangries away).


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