Pregnancy is one of the most vital and sensitive stages in a woman’s life. “Moms-to-be” have to pay close attention to what they eat and make sure to avoid harmful food and beverages. Eating healthy, fresh and homemade food is must when you are pregnant.
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Here under is a list of foods to avoid during pregnancy
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Raw eggs– Raw eggs can be contaminated with salmonella, which can lead to sickness and an increased risk of premature birth or stillbirth. Pasteurized eggs can be used instead.
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Raw sprouts– Raw sprouts can be contaminated with bacteria inside the seeds. It may cause gas and discomfort. Pregnant women should only eat cooked sprouts.
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Unpasteurized milk – Pregnant women should not consume unpasteurized milk, cheese or fruit juice, as they increase the risk of bacterial infections.
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Raw meat- Raw or under cooked meat can contain harmful bacteria. As a rule, meat should be cooked all the way through.
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Alcohol- Pregnant women should not drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and fetal alcohol syndrome.
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Processed foods to avoid during pregnancy- Eating processed food during pregnancy can increase your risk of excess weight gain, gestational diabetes and complications. This can have long-term health implications for the child, and unnecessary weight gain for mother.
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Rawfish and Shellfish- Raw fish and shellfish can be contaminated with bacteria and parasites. Some of these can cause adverse health effects and harm both the mother and the unborn baby.
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Pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg per day, which is about 2–3 cups of coffee. High caffeine intake during pregnancy can limit fetal growth and cause low birth weight baby. Pregnant women should not eat fish with a high mercury level more than 1–2 times a month. Examples of fish with a high mercury level are shark, swordfish, tuna and mackerel.
Organ meat is a great source of iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A and copper. To prevent vitamin A and copper toxicity, pregnant women are advised to limit their intake of organ meat to no more than once a week.
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Here are a few more foods to avoid during pregnancy that our elders suggest:
- Papaya (rich in latex that could lead to uterine contractions).
- Black grapes (builds heat in the body that is harmful to the baby).
- Pineapple (rich in bromelain that could soften the cervix, leading to early labor).
- Cabbage and lettuce (they carry foodborne illnesses and gas).
- Eggplant (its property of stimulating menstruation may lead to abortion).
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Remember:” You will have a suppressed immune system during pregnancy. This will, therefore, put both the mother-to-be and the baby at risk of contracting bacteria, viruses, and parasites causing foodborne illnesses.”
As mentioned above, these maternal foodborne illnesses lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and several health issues in newborns. Therefore, be careful in choosing and preparing food to minimise the risks. Also, make a clear notice of foods to avoid during pregnancy. Because you can’t put your baby’s life at risk.
I would recommend healthy food rather than sugar-rich, fried, unhealthy and junk food. Find a healthier option- it’s not only good for you but also for your baby.
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