14 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Posted by: Health and fitness

Whether you are planning a pregnancy, are already pregnant or have given birth, so some foods Avoid During Pregnancy. Because food plays a vital role in the health of the mother and child. While there are many foods that nurture mother and baby, and we all focus on it, it is also important to focus on foods that can harm the child or mother. Certain foods can pose serious risks, and therefore should be considered by pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy. Medplus offers you the list of foods to avoid.

food to avoid during pregnancy

14 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy: Eating some foods and drinks during pregnancy can increase the danger of harm to you or potentially your baby.

Some foods and drinks to avoid during pregnancy

1. Fish:

Mercury has the ability to affect the development of the baby's brain, so it is suggested to avoid high-mercury types of fish altogether during pregnancy. Sushi, mackerel, sharks, swordfish, bluefin fish are some of the top fish with high levels of mercury and should, therefore, be avoided entirely. Fish can also carry diseases transmitted by the sea, so it is best to keep them away from the mother's diet. In addition, raw, undercooked, or contaminated shellfish can pose risks to the fetus (also known as a fetus) and should not be consumed.

2. Unwashed fruits and vegetables:

Fruits and vegetables are exposed to many pesticides and herbicides, and can also contain pathogens like Toxoplasma gondii and the listeria bacteria. This can lead to food poisoning and also pose a threat to the baby's development. Always wash fruits and vegetables under running water and avoid eating raw vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, etc. It is suggested to cook all the vegetables and even the leafy vegetables before consuming them. Also, don't store fruits and vegetables any longer.

Papaya is rich in latex and is a natural contraceptive; The compounds in papaya can trigger uterine contractions and can cause abortion. Black grapes increase the heat in the body that is harmful to the baby. The bromelain found in pineapple will soften the cervix and can lead to premature labor. And also eggplant can stimulate menstruation, so it is recommended not to eat these particular fruits and vegetables.

3. Meats:

Eating raw meat can contribute to the transfer of toxoplasma infection from mother to child. Prolonged exposure to this infection will cause blindness and mental disability in the baby.

4. Raw sprouts and nuts:

Raw sprouts and nuts can contain certain harmful bacteria that can cause bacterial infections and slow the growth rate of the fetus (also known as a fetus). Some women develop an allergy to certain nuts in the long term, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking nuts.

5. Alcohol:

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy will lead to a condition called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in which the baby will be born with a variety of lifelong physical and intellectual disabilities. This happens because the alcohol consumed by the mother will go to the fetus without being filtered.

6. Herbal tea and herbal supplements:

Some herbal supplements can trigger preterm labor and can also cause a miscarriage. Also, the benefits of herbal tea and supplements in pregnancy are not proven in scientific studies, so it is best not to take them during pregnancy.

Read also: Healthy snack ideas

7. Spicy food:

Spicy food will cause heartburn in most people and this risk will increase in pregnant women, which will also cause morning sickness, so it is best not to eat spicy food and, if you do, drink a glass of warm milk or a tablespoon of honey immediately.

8. Vitamin supplements:

Vitamin supplements should not be taken without the advice of the doctor. The normal growth of the fetus will be adversely affected by excessive vitamin intake. This can even lead to premature labor.

9. Caffeine:

Caffeine makes you dehydrated by urinating excessively. It is very essential to always be hydrated. Especially during pregnancy, dehydration can harm a child. It is also associated with low labor, stillbirth, and abortion.

10. Unpasteurized milk and cheese:

Unpasteurized dairy products contain pathogens that are harmful to your health, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Unpasteurized soft cheese often contains the listeria bacteria that can lead to neural tube defects in babies, so choose hard varieties of cheese like cheddar, swiss, etc. Always look for fresh and boiled food products.

11. Raw or soft-boiled eggs:

Raw or soft-boiled eggs may contain a bacteria called salmonella, which will cause food poisoning in pregnant women. It can also cause diarrhea (also known as diarrhea) and vomiting. It is recommended to avoid desserts and other foods made with raw eggs.

12. Foods rich in nitrate:

Nitrate reacts with hemoglobin (also known as hemoglobin) in the blood and with modified proteins that will interfere with the body's ability to supply oxygen to the placenta. Foods high in nitrate are diet sodas, sausages, artificial sweeteners, and added flavors.

13. Artificial sweeteners and canned foods:

Artificial sweeteners are not good for health, even if you are not pregnant. The mother's placenta does not filter out artificial sweeteners and this means that your child will directly consume these harmful compounds.

Canned foods are full of preservatives and artificial flavors to improve shelf life and taste. They can also contain bacteria and viruses, and the can walls may contain bisphenol A, which can affect the baby's endocrine system.

14. Processed junk food:

Junk food is very tasty and tempting, but it is low in nutrition and high in calories, it also has many added preservatives and high sugar levels that can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes in both mother and boy. Additionally, many studies have reported that pregnant women who consume more junk food during pregnancy are likely to gain weight unnecessarily and also give birth to an overweight baby.

                                               So avoid these foods during pregnancy.