Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

A good diet is essential to living a healthy lifestyle at any time, but it’s crucial if you’re pregnant. When you are pregnant, there are several foods you should avoid eating because they might harm you or your unborn child. Make sure you are aware of the key information on the foods to avoid during pregnancy. The best things to eat are those that have just been cooked or prepared. Avoid eating any food during pregnancy that has been out of the refrigerator for longer than two hours to prevent food poisoning.

Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

Some foods should only be eaten occasionally, while others should be altogether avoided during pregnancy. Certain foods and drinks that should be avoided or consumed in moderation when pregnant are mentioned below.

Read more: Best foods to eat while pregnant

Raw or Undercooked Fish

Sushi lovers, will find this difficult, but it’s a crucial one. Shellfish in particular can spread various illnesses when eaten raw. These illnesses can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites such as salmonella, listeria, vibrio, and norovirus. Some of these diseases may merely have an impact on you, leaving you weak and dehydrated. Other illnesses might be transmitted to your unborn child and have serious, even deadly, effects. Listeria infections are particularly dangerous for expectant mothers. Compared to the general population, pregnant women have a 10-fold increased risk of contracting Listeria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hence Avoiding raw fish and shellfish, especially many sushi dishes are strongly suggested. But don’t worry, you’ll like it much more because of it.

Raw Eggs

Salmonella bacteria can be present in raw eggs. Salmonella infections can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, pains in the stomach, and diarrhea. However, the infection can occasionally result in uterine cramping, which can result in an early birth or a loss. The majority of commercially available raw egg products are manufactured with pasteurized eggs and are safe to eat. To be certain, you should always read the label. Always use pasteurized eggs or fully boil eggs to be on the safe side. 

Raw or Undercooked Meat

Undercooked meat shares some similarities with raw fish in terms of its problems. Eating raw or undercooked meat increases your chance of contracting Toxoplasma, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella infections, among other germs and parasites. Your child’s health might be in danger from bacteria, which could result in stillbirth or serious neurological conditions including epilepsy, blindness, and intellectual handicap. Although the majority of bacteria are located on the surface of complete pieces of meat, some may continue to exist within the muscle fibers. Tenderloins, sirloins, and ribeye from beef, lamb, and veal are some examples of complete cuts of meat that may be safe to eat even when not fully cooked. 

Caffeine

You could be one of the millions of people who enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate every day. When it comes to our love of coffee, you most certainly are not alone. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women should normally limit their daily caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams (mg). The placenta may easily absorb caffeine and it is swiftly absorbed by the body. High quantities of caffeine can accumulate because newborns and their placentas lack the primary enzyme required for its metabolization. High levels of caffeine use during pregnancy have been demonstrated to limit fetal development and increase the chance of giving birth to an underweight baby. Hence caffeine should be avoided during pregnancy.

Alcohol

Alcohol use is strongly discouraged when expecting since it raises the chance of stillbirth and miscarriage. The growth of your baby’s brain might be adversely affected by even a modest quantity. Fetal alcohol syndrome, which includes facial abnormalities, heart issues, and intellectual incapacity, can also be brought on by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Since drinking alcohol in any quantity is not safe during pregnancy, abstinence is advised.

Unpasteurized Milk

Drink only pasteurized or UHT (ultra-heat treated) milk if you have it (also called long-life milk). If you can only find raw (unpasteurized) milk, boil it first. Avoid consuming unpasteurized goat or sheep milk as well as products prepared from it, including soft goat cheese. Soft-serve ice cream has a higher risk of listeria infection, so avoid eating it while pregnant. Hence unpasteurized milk should be avoided completely in pregnancy because it can lead to listeria infection.

Unwashed or Uncleaned Food

Fruits and vegetables that have not been washed or peeled may have a variety of germs and parasites on their surface. These can be obtained from touching or coming into contact with the soil and include Toxoplasma, E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. During production, harvest, processing, storage, transit, or sale, contamination can happen at any time. Toxoplasma is a potentially harmful parasite that can persist in fruits and vegetables. Most persons who get toxoplasmosis show no symptoms, but others may experience flu-like symptoms for a month or more. Most babies that contract the Toxoplasma bacterium while still in the womb are symptom-free when they are born. Blindness or intellectual problems, however, might appear later in life.

The danger of infection should be reduced as much as possible when you are pregnant by properly washing with water, peeling, or boiling fruits and vegetables. Maintain it as a healthy habit once the baby is born as well. Hence to avoid all types of consequences fruits and vegetables should be properly cleaned before consumption and unwashed foods should be avoided during pregnancy.

Read more: Home Remedies for Heartburn During Pregnancy: The CHELSEA Approach

Conclusion

It’s important to stay away from foods and drinks that might harm you or your unborn child while you’re pregnant. While the majority of foods and drinks can be consumed without any problems, some, such as raw fish, unpasteurized dairy products, alcohol, and high mercury seafood, should be avoided. In addition, some meals and drinks like coffee and those with a lot of added sugar should be avoided to support a healthy pregnancy.

Fatima Sarmad

I lead a team of professional nutritionists and dietitians. We provide our consulting services in different areas of nutrition.