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7 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy You Need to Know

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7 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy You Need to Know

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.

Read Also: 10 Healthy Foods for Post Pregnancy

Here under is a list of foods to avoid during pregnancy

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Unpasteurized milk – Pregnant women should not consume unpasteurized milk, cheese or fruit juice, as they increase the risk of bacterial infections.

Read Also: Planning Your Diet During Pregnancy

  • Raw meat- Raw or under cooked meat can contain harmful bacteria. As a rule, meat should be cooked all the way through.

  • Alcohol- Pregnant women should not drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and fetal alcohol syndrome.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Read Also: 7 Best Pregnancy Oils for Pre and Post Pregnancy

Foods to avoid during pregnancy
                                                          Foods to avoid during pregnancy

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.

Read Also: Food Vs Pregnancy

Here are a few more foods to avoid during pregnancy that our elders suggest:

  1. Papaya (rich in latex that could lead to uterine contractions).
  2. Black grapes (builds heat in the body that is harmful to the baby).
  3. Pineapple (rich in bromelain that could soften the cervix, leading to early labor).
  4. Cabbage and lettuce (they carry foodborne illnesses and gas).
  5. Eggplant (its property of stimulating menstruation may lead to abortion).

Read Also: Top 5 Signs of A Healthy Pregnancy

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.

Read Also: Children and Healthy Food

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She is the owner and founder of SlimPossibleDiets, with 5 years of experience in nutrition and dietetics. Academically, a diploma holder in food and nutrition and a Diploma holder in food and diet planning, from Tulip International, an affiliate of Gold Coast Training Academy (GCTA) Australia, Diploma holder in weight management from BFY , MUMBAI , a Diploma holder in clinical nutrition and Diploma in childcare nutrition from, VLCC MUMBAI. She worked for a lifestyle management and weight loss clinic for 2.5 years and now independent dietitian. HER MANTRA IS “ STAY CONNECTED, STAY HEALTHY “ She does not believe in giving medicines for obesity or any supplements, she thinks that the kitchen ingredients are enough to help for the same. An online diet consultant, and diet planner for therapeutic diets i.e. diabetes, thyroid, cholesterol, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOD/PCOS) etc.