Pregnancy Foods To Avoid,Foods to Avoid When Pregnant

Here are some of the most common food items you must avoid while you are pregnant:

1. High Mercury Fish

While some types of fish like tilapia and salmon are safe and even encouraged to consume for the nutritional value they offer, fish that are high in mercury should be avoided throughout your pregnancy. Mercury is a toxic element that occurs in polluted water. In higher amounts, mercury can affect the nervous system, immune system, and kidneys. Larger marine fish like swordfish, king mackerel, shark, tuna, and orange roughy can contain a lot of mercury and should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

2. Raw Eggs

Raw eggs may carry Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella infection symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea. It can also cause cramps in the uterus which in turn can lead to a preterm birth or a stillbirth. Some foods including raw eggs:

Tiramisu
Light scrambled eggs
Raw batter
Homemade mayonnaise
Some homemade salad dressings
Some homemade cake frosting
Homemade ice cream
Eggs Benedict

While eating eggs, it is best to cook the egg all the way through and use pasteurised eggs. Most commercialised products use pasteurised eggs and are hence safe to consume.

3. Raw Sprouts

Raw sprouts like mung bean sprouts, alfalfa, clover, and radish sprouts, are very popular in salads. However, these seeds need a humid environment to start sprouting, which in turn causes salmonella to grow on them. This salmonella is almost impossible to wash off. For this reason, it is best to avoid uncooked sprouts altogether, although it is safe to consume cooked sprouts.

4. Unwashed Fruits And Vegetables

Unpeeled, unwashed fruits and vegetables have a lot of bacteria on their surface, like E. coli, Salmonella, toxoplasma, and listeria. These come from the soil or through handling. Contamination can happen at any stage, like storage, handling, or retail. Toxoplasma is more common in plant-based food and has no symptoms, although it can cross from the placenta to the baby and cause issues later in life. It can cause problems like permanent vision loss, learning difficulties, and, in some cases, severe eye and brain damage. In some cases, these problems can be present during birth. To be on the safe side, wash all your fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water. To be even safer, peel and cook all your fruits and vegetables.

5. Unpasteurized Dairy

Raw milk and other forms of unpasteurised dairy contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter. These bacteria can cause a large number of infections, especially food poisoning. These infections can have life-threatening problems for an unborn baby. This bacteria either occurs naturally or can be a result of contamination during storage. Pasteurisation can kill this bacteria without destroying the nutritional value of a food item. To avoid these difficulties, it is best to only consume dairy products that have gone through the pasteurisation process.

6. Processed Foods

Food that is highly processed tends to have a lower nutritional value and is high in calories, added fats, and sugar. This may increase the risk of weight gain. During pregnancy, you need higher amounts of nutrients; hence, it is important to eat food that is rich in nutrients such as protein, folate, choline, and iron. While some weight gain is normal and expected, excessive weight can cause issues during childbirth and lead to childhood obesity. It is best to stick to meals and snacks that have high amounts of protein and fruits and vegetables that are a good source of healthy fats, carbohydrates, and fibre. Also include pulses and beans to up your protein intake.

7. Alcohol

Alcohol should be avoided at all costs during pregnancy. Some people would tell you that small amounts of alcohol consumed occasionally are alright, but this is incorrect. There is no safe quantity of alcohol to drink when pregnant. Alcohol can cause foetal alcohol syndrome and increase the risk of a stillbirth and a preterm delivery. It can also affect many aspects of development, including the heart and the brain. Since no amount of alcohol is proven to be safe during pregnancy, it is best to avoid it altogether.

8. Caffeine (In Excess)

While

some amount of caffeine

is fine to consume while you are pregnant and may even help you

meet your fluid intake

, ensure you do not go beyond 200 mg per day. This is the amount of caffeine in approximately two cups of coffee. Caffeine passes from the placenta to the baby’s bloodstream, and a high level of caffeine can cause pregnancy loss and several birth defects like intrauterine growth restriction. Caffeine in excess may also raise your blood pressure and heart rate.

9. Liver And Liver Products

Liver and liver products like pâté contain a high amount of vitamin A, which is harmful to the unborn baby. This applies more to the first trimester of pregnancy when higher levels of vitamin A can cause miscarriage and other birth defects. However, some people have suggested that consuming a small amount of liver once or twice a month is considered safe.

10. Unpasteurised Juice

Packaged juices that are not pasteurised can still have harmful bacteria like E.coli, or Salmonella. Being exposed to these bacteria can cause a risk of infection, which can cause birth defects.

11. Artificial Sweeteners

Some artificial sweeteners like saccharine should be avoided at all costs, especially because it is carcinogenic. On the other hand, a sweetener like Stevia is considered safe for pregnant women. However, you should remember that food with artificial sweeteners is not generally nutritious.

12. Soft Cheeses

Soft cheeses like Feta and Brie should be avoided during pregnancy as they are made from unpasteurised milk. These could have Listeria, a bacteria that can cause several birth defects. However, these cheeses can be consumed if they are cooked completely and steaming hot.

13. Some Herbal Teas

Some herbal teas like liquorice, blue cohosh, black cohosh, and dong quai are unsafe for pregnancy. They can cause contractions and other complications. Always check with your doctor for which teas are safe to consume during pregnancy.

14. Raw Shellfish

If you are pregnant, you should avoid raw shellfish like oysters, clams, and mussels. Raw shellfish can contain bacteria, like Listeria which can make you sick and potentially cause harm to the unborn baby. If you must eat these, make sure they are well-cooked.It is very important to be mindful of what you eat while you are pregnant. You will most likely need to make changes to your existing diet, while also adding a few restrictions. If you have any doubts about food items that are safe or unsafe, consult your doctor for personalised advice.

Foods to Avoid When Pregnant

What not to Eat During Pregnancy: It is very important to make sure you eat well during your pregnancy so that both you and your baby are growing and developing well. It is essential to eat nutrient-rich food, but you may have to give up some of your favourite foods, like sushi.

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