29 foods to avoid in pregnancy

Table of content

• 29 foods to avoid in pregnancy

• Take-home point

• FAQ on foods to avoid in pregnancy

Introduction

You would be instructed to eat specific meals that are healthy for you as an expectant woman. To keep you safe, we have provided a list of items to steer away from while pregnant. Numerous physical changes that occur during pregnancy have an impact on the baby's development in various ways. Pregnant women must ensure that their diets provide enough nutrition to support the baby's healthy development while keeping them nourished. Some foods that you might have enjoyed before becoming pregnant become unhealthy to eat while pregnant for a variety of reasons. Our article can therefore assist you in learning about the various meals that you should avoid while pregnant, their benefits, and secure substitutes.

29 foods to avoid in pregnancy

You can keep both you and your infant secure and healthy by avoiding certain foods. Here is a list of such things that you must not consume.

1. Mercury rich fish

Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish have high mercury levels and should be avoided. In the human body, mercury, a metal prevalent in seas, streams, and lakes, is converted into methylmercury. It is a neurotoxic that has been related to infant brain damage and developmental abnormalities.

2. Smoked sea food

Listeria monocytogenes bacteria are present in smoked and chilled seafood branded as lox, jerky, nova style, and kippered. This bacteria causes listeriosis (symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting), which can lead to infant sickness and possibly miscarriage or stillbirth.

3. Fish exposed to pollutants

Polychlorinated biphenyls have been found in fish from local streams, lakes, and rivers (PCBs).Babies who are exposed to these toxins may have low birth weight, decreased head size, learning impairments, and memory problems. Avoid eating striped bass, pike, bluefish, salmon, trout, and walleye caught locally.

4. Raw or undercooked fish

To avoid seafood-borne infections and food poisoning, avoid eating raw shellfish such as oysters, clams, and mussels. They include pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and poisons that can make you sick.

5. Raw eggs

Raw, undercooked, or soft-boiled eggs should not be consumed because they contain hazardous salmonella germs that cause food poisoning. You could get diarrhoea, severe vomiting, a headache, abdominal pain, and a fever. All of these symptoms are unlikely to damage your baby, but they will weaken your immune system, which may have an impact on the baby's development.

6. Raw meat and poultry

Consuming undercooked/raw meat and poultry, such as pink or bloody raw meat, since it includes the parasite Toxoplasma and the dangerous bacteria Salmonella. Salmonella raises the possibility of food poisoning. Toxoplasma causes toxoplasmosis, which manifests as flu-like symptoms a few weeks after consuming the meal. It can cause miscarriage or fetal death during labor.

7. Processed meat

Avoid processed meats, also known as ready-to-eat meats, which include sandwich meat, cold cuts, lunch meat, hotdogs, and sliced meats. They are known to carry listeria germs, which can easily cross the placenta from the mother and cause major difficulties, including fetal death.

8. Raw dairy products

It is dangerous to consume unpasteurized or raw dairy products when pregnant. It provides little nutritional benefit, and raw milk and its products are responsible for a higher proportion of food-borne infections. Raw dairy products include bacteria that are harmful to you and your baby, such as salmonella, listeria, E.coli, and cryptosporidium. 

9. Soft cheeses

If the cheese hasn't been pasteurized, avoid eating soft cheeses like Camembert, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, brie, feta, blue cheese, queso fresco, queso blanco, and panela. Unpasteurized soft cheeses contain listeria

10. Unwashed fruits and vegetables

Unwashed produce contains the parasite Toxoplasma, which is harmful to a developing newborn. If you consume unwashed fruits and vegetables that have been exposed to toxoplasmosis-contaminated soil, you risk ingesting dangerous bacteria.

11. Raw sprouts

Avoid consuming raw sprouts, salmonella, E. coli, and listeria germs are all quite likely to infect them. As you are aware, listeriosis can cause illnesses in neonates, miscarriages, stillbirths, and premature birth. E. coli and salmonella can cause serious diseases.

12. Food that causes allergy

Only if you are not allergic to them should you take soy, wheat, cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and more), fish, and shellfish. However, other research suggests that consuming allergic foods in the early stages of pregnancy may reduce the likelihood that the baby would grow up with allergies and asthma. You can't, however, be certain about this.

13. Restaurant made salads

Avoid pre-made meat salads (ham, chicken), seafood salads, and Caesar salad dressing from restaurants because they contain dangerous bacteria. Additionally, these salads contain salad dressing that is heavy in calories (salt and sugar), mayonnaise, which contains raw eggs.

14. Wild apples

An apple a day may keep diseases at away, but in this case, it may spell disaster. The acidic acidity of wild apples might cause uterine contraction. Consuming these apples during this time period may result in a miscarriage.

15. Unpasteurized juice

Fruit and vegetable juices that have not been pasteurized, even those that are packaged, may contain dangerous E. coli and salmonella bacteria. Additionally, if the fruits or vegetables are not well cleaned before being added to a glass of newly prepared juice, there may be a risk.

16. Excess caffeine

Caffeine use could raise the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight kids. 200 mg should be your daily maximum. Tea, chocolate, and numerous energy drinks all contain caffeine. According to several studies, caffeine consumption is linked to baby withdrawal symptoms and preterm birth.

17. Herbal teas

Tea or flavoring herbs may be harmful to the mother and fetus. When pregnant, it's best to fully avoid uterine stimulants including ephedra, angelica, kava kava, yohimbe, black and blue cohosh, dong quai, borage oil, pennyroyal, and mugwort.

18. Canned food

Fruits, vegetables, and sodas that are canned are unhealthy for two reasons:

• Because of their long shelf lives, tinned foods may be too old to eat and harbor dangerous bacteria. The lining of the food cans contains Bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic substance that affects the fetal endocrine activity and causes fertility issues, cancer, liver ailments, and heart diseases in pregnant women. High BPA concentrations can be found in canned soup, pasta, and newborn formula.

• Additionally, the mother and fetus are poisoned by the high mercury levels in canned tuna and tuna salads.

19. Nitrate rich food

As they contain nitrates, stay away from cured sandwich meats, bacon, deli meats, sausages, salami, and hot dogs. Nitrate prolongs the food's shelf life and improves colour. However, after ingestion, nitrates transform into nitrosamines in the body, raising the risk of maternal cancer and foetus defects. Foods high in nitrates also contain sodium and saturated fats, both of which may be harmful to a developing foetus.

20. Sugar rich food

Reduce your intake of sweets, candies, cakes, ice cream, biscuits, chocolates, and beverages with added sugar. They exacerbate pregnancy discomforts (vomiting, nausea, constipation, and heartburn), increase weight, cause gestational diabetes, raise the risk of preterm labour and preeclampsia, and raise the likelihood that newborns may develop metabolic syndrome.

21. Junk food

You might be hankering after those spicy, tangy, and sweet delights. They may raise the possibility of infections, digestive issues, and food poisoning. Because of the subpar food and water hygiene standards, they are dangerous. Hot dogs, burritos, churros, cotton candy, soft pretzels, simit bread, corn in a cup, chicken rice, chaat, dosa, kebabs, pani puri, noodles, etc. are some examples of junk food.

22. Fatty food

Avoid eating fast food, processed meals, and takeout, such as crackers, cookies, frozen pizza, fried foods, margarine, and icing, which all contain trans- or hydrogenated fats. Additionally, in order to reduce your chance of developing heart illnesses, obesity, increased foetal growth, and premature labour, the American Heart Association advises keeping your intake of trans fats to less than 1% of your total calorie intake.

23. Artificial sweeteners

The safety of artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharin, is debatable since some medical professionals hold the opinion that they are safe when used in moderation, while others have a different opinion. If you have phenylketonuria, a genetic illness, you should stay away from aspartame (PKU). Aspartame contains the chemical phenylalanine, which your body cannot metabolize. As a result Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame may cause birth abnormalities. There is evidence that saccharin remains in prenatal tissues and poses no dangers.

24. Excess of vitamins

During pregnancy, you will need to consume more of several nutrients (including calcium, iron, and folic acid). But be cautious with the dosages that are advised. Avoid consuming additional amounts of both water- and fat-soluble vitamins. Extra fat-soluble vitamins may be deposited in the liver and body fat, which could be hazardous to the mother and the developing foetus.

25. Alcohol

Alcohol is difficult for your infant to metabolize, and it can have a negative impact on their development. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the chance of miscarriage, early birth, and low birthweight in the unborn child. Even after your baby is born, it may still have an impact.

26. Aloe vera

Avoid aloe vera during pregnancy as glycyrrhizin, one of its components, has been linked to a number of developmental problems in fetuses. The substance weakens the placenta, allowing stress hormone to enter the fetus and lower the IQ. According to research, licorice side effects include early puberty in girls and concerns with ADHD in children. Additionally, it causes elevated blood pressure and preterm labor.

27.Papaya

Papaya can be consumed while pregnant as long as it is sufficiently ripe; otherwise, it may cause a miscarriage. It is advised to eat papaya when pregnant due to its many health advantages. When periods are delayed, a lady can always drink a cup of papaya to start them.

28. Banana

Bananas are generally safe to eat while pregnant, but there are several situations where they should be avoided. Bananas are not recommended for consumption by women with allergies, diabetes, or gestational diabetes. Chitinase, a latex-like compound that is a recognised allergy, is found in bananas.

29. Pineapple

A pregnant women shouldn't consume this tropical fruit. The protein-degrading enzyme bromelain is known to be present in pineapple. Bromelain in pineapple may soften the cervix as one of its negative effects, which could result in an early labor.

Also Read:- Top 6 Must-eat food you require in Pregnancy

Take-home point

A healthy diet is crucial during pregnancy because it provides both the mother and the unborn child with essential nutrients. To maintain your baby's healthy growth, development, and safety, you should become knowledgeable about the foods to eat and the suggested serving sizes. Therefore, if any food or diet troubles you, you should eat healthfully and talk to your doctor about it.

References

• MAYOCLINIC

• NHS