Perfect nutrition during the nine month period of pregnancy is extremely important for the healthy growth of the baby. Often, due to lack of knowledge or ignorance, we give pregnant women foods that act like a slow poison and become the cause of miscarriages. So, to avoid such situations, it is very important to equip yourself with information about pregnancy diet.
Sometimes certain foods are good for you, but eating too much of them can be harmful to your baby. Therefore, eating balanced meals is very important for all pregnant women. There are a variety of nutritious food choices available in the market, but there are few foods that are not completely safe for baby’s development.
Here in this article, you will find the list of top ten foods that every pregnant woman should avoid during pregnancy.
1. Caffeine
Pregnant women are generally advised to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day. High caffeine intake during pregnancy can limit fetal growth and lead to low birth weight. Some research shows that high amounts of caffeine are associated with miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and withdrawal symptoms in infants. The safest thing is to abstain from consuming caffeine.
2. Sugar-Rich Foods
Food cravings during pregnancy are very common. However, cravings for sweet foods must be carefully managed for the health of both mother and baby. Consuming too much sugar during pregnancy is bad for your health. Therefore, pregnant women should decrease their sugar intake especially for nine months.
3. Alcohol
Pregnant women are advised to completely avoid drinking alcohol as it increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Even a small amount can negatively impact your baby’s brain development. No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy and therefore alcohol should be completely avoided during pregnancy.
4. Unpasteurized Dairy Products
Unpasteurized milk or milk products have a significantly higher risk of being contaminated with a bacteria called Listeria, which can lead to the disease Listeriosis. Listeriosis is a dangerous infection that can lead to miscarriage, serious illness, and even stillbirth. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to consume only pasteurized milk, cheese and fruit juices.
5. Raw Or Undercooked Eggs
Raw or undercooked eggs are not safe for pregnant women as they pose a huge risk of salmonella poisoning. If you eat an egg containing salmonella, you may experience abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, chills, fever, and headache within 6 to 72 hours of eating it. Although an unborn baby cannot be poisoned by salmonella, several side effects can impact the health and labor of the baby. Therefore, pregnant women should always cook eggs thoroughly or use pasteurized eggs.
6. High-Mercury Fish
Pregnant women should not eat fish with high mercury content such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and diamondback. Eating fish with high levels of mercury during pregnancy can harm the developing brain and nervous system of the baby. However, some types of fish with low levels of mercury are safe to eat for pregnant women. Be sure to choose a variety of low-mercury fish like salmon, tilapia, shrimp, tuna, cod, and catfish. These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals like iron. These nutrients are essential for pregnant women.
7. Raw Sprouts
Raw sprouts like clover, radish, and beans can lead to salmonella, a disease caused by bacteria residing on the sprouts. The disease comes from contaminated seeds when eaten. Seeds are stored in dry conditions where bacteria remain dormant, but once they germinate in a warm environment, bacteria growth is activated. E-coli and Salmonella bacteria cause diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, fever and other serious illnesses in pregnant women. When these bacteria are passed from the pregnant woman to the fetus after birth, the baby can develop diarrhea, fever, and meningitis. It is best to eat cooked cabbage during pregnancy.
8. Canned Foods
Canned foods are not completely safe for pregnant women and most cans often contain bisphenol A (BPA) which leaches into food and drink, causing an 80% increase in the risk of miscarriage. Therefore, it is better to eat fresh fruits and vegetables which generally contain more nutrients than canned fruits.
9. Undercooked, Raw And Processed Meat
Eating undercooked or raw meat increases the risk of infection by several bacteria or parasites such as Toxoplasma, E-coli, Listeria and Salmonella. Pregnant women should not consume processed meat products unless they have been reheated until hot. They should ensure that all meat is cooked through and consider getting a meat thermometer to ensure meat is cooked evenly. Indeed, the risk of food poisoning is higher in pregnant women.
10. Unwashed Fruits And Vegetables
Unwashed fruits and vegetables are contaminated with pesticides and many harmful bacteria that can be found on the skin or outer rind. Babies are more sensitive to pesticides than moms or any adult, especially at critical times in their development. Fruits and vegetables are good for you and baby, but buy them carefully and rinse them well. All unwashed fruits and vegetables, especially lettuce and cabbage, should be avoided.
