Pregnancy Food & Diet : Foods to Eat & Avoid During Pregnancy

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Foods containing enzymes that might interfere with your fetus’ growth or pose any threat to the mother or the baby must be avoided.

Below we have created a list of the foods to avoid during pregnancy. Let’s take a look.

Mercury Fish

Mercury is one of the most harmful elements found in polluted water.

Certain varieties of fish contain high amounts of mercury, making them unsafe for pregnant and breastfeeding ladies.

Even small quantities of mercury can pose serious health threats, especially to your kidneys and immune system.

As a general rule, you should avoid all kinds of large fish found in polluted water. A few are tuna, marlin, shark, and king mackerel.

That being said, some types of fish are incredibly healthy for pregnant women.

These are low in mercury and rich in vitamins and minerals that keep you and the baby healthy. Salmon, trout, and anchovies are a few examples of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Raw and Processed Meat

Raw meat contains several parasites and bacteria that increase your risk of developing an infection.

The risk is higher for pregnant women. The bacteria can be found on the surface of raw or uncooked meat, while some reside in muscle fibers.

The same goes for processed meat. Pregnant women and people, in general, must not eat processed meat until it’s cooked and heated thoroughly.

Raw Eggs

Like raw meat, raw eggs contain a bacteria called salmonella, which causes salmonella fever.

The symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, and in some cases, an infection that can cause miscarriage or premature birth. Raw eggs are mostly used in homemade ice creams, cakes, sauces, and salad dressings.

Avoid foods containing raw eggs. When buying packaged foods, check the ingredient label to ensure they don’t have raw eggs.

Caffeine

While all the above foods can be avoided, caffeine addiction is pretty serious.

If you are someone whose day doesn’t start with a strong cup of coffee or tea, you are not alone.

However, caffeine is not healthy for your pregnancy. Doctors advise pregnant women to limit their caffeine intake to 200 milligrams a day or less if possible.

Caffeine is absorbed fairly quickly and is transferred into the placenta, which may inhibit the fetus’ growth and increase the risk of premature birth or low-weight babies.

Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables

Whole fruits and vegetables must always be washed before consumption.

Their surface contains parasites that can cause infection, fever, and pregnancy complications.

Toxoplasma is one such bacteria that might linger on the surface of fruits and vegetables. This may cause no symptoms at all in some people, while others might develop flu.

Pregnant women should especially avoid these fruits, as they harm the child’s health.

This increases the risk of brain damage or intellectual issues in newborns immediately after birth or when they become adults.

Always wash fruits thoroughly, peel them, and cook them before eating.

Conclusion

Pregnant women must avoid the above foods before, during, and after pregnancy. If you are unsure about the safe foods for pregnancy, reach out to a dietician to have a diet chart prepared for all trimesters.