Food during pregnancy

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant you should think about your unborn baby in every stage .Food during pregnancy will help you to get essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for your developing baby. But you also consider the possibility presence of bacteria, chemicals in these foods. So in your daily menu some foods you should add and some you need to avoid.  Here are 29 foods to avoid or minimize during pregnancy.

You May read
Baby-name
Gynae-Doctor

baby-delivery-date-calculator

29 Foods to Avoid during Pregnancy:

 

1. Fish with Mercury:

 Do not to take fish containing high level of mercury Such as king mackerel, swordfish, shark and tile fish.



Fish like chunk light tuna contain low levels of mercury. .Mercury can lead to brain damage and developmental delays.

 2.Smoked Seafood:

Refrigerated and smoked seafood with labels such as lox, jerky, nova style or kippered should be avoided as they will be contaminated with Listeria bacteria.

3.Fish Exposed to Pollutants/ Industrial Pollutants:

Bluefish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout, and walleye should be avoided due to cultured in contaminated rivers or lakes that are highly exposed to poly chlorinated biennials.

4.Raw Shellfish:

During pregnancy avoid under cooked shellfish like oysters, mussels and clams can cause majority of sea borne illnesses. Though by Cooking prevent some of the infections, but not algae related infections.

 

 5. Raw or Under cooked Eggs:

Raw eggs or food containing raw eggs such as homemade desserts, sauces, chocolate mousse, cakes, mayonnaise, etc., must be avoided as they may be tainted with salmonella bacteria causing vomiting and diarrhea. Confirm that eggs are thoroughly cooked until the whites and yolks are solid so that it prevents the risk of salmonella food poisoning.

 

6. Under cooked Meat & Poultry:

Mothers can be effected food poisoning, vomiting, miscarriages and fetal damage due to toxoplasma Gondi parasite present in raw meat & poultry.

Before taking meat makes sure it’s not uncooked or under-cooked because raw or uncooked meat contains listeria bacteria. Refrigerated meat such as goat, lamb, beef, etc., must be heated perfectly as well as   poultry such as chicken, ham, turkey, and duck.

 

 7. Unpasteurized Dairy Products:

Milk is a great source of calcium, proteins and minerals which are important for pregnant women. But always drink fresh and boiled milk. If you take unpasteurized dairy products you will face severe food poisoning. So you should avoid all types of dairy products that are not pasteurized.
Food during pregnancy

 8. Unpasteurized Soft Cheese:

Always use cheese made of pasteurized milk. Unpasteurized soft cheese such as Brie, feta, camembert, queso fresco, etc., must be avoided as they may contain Listeria bacteria, causing listeriosis. Miscarriage, premature birth or birth defects are common results for having these cheeses.

 

 9. Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables:

During pregnancy Fruits and Vegetables are safe, and necessary parts of a balanced diet.people eat or cook fruits and vegetables without first washing them. Besides ingesting harmful pesticides, the fruit and veggie skins can also contain the toxoplasma gondii parasite and listeria. Both can cause considerable damage to the fetus. . Any unwashed vegetables especially lettuce and cabbage must be avoided. You should wash fruits and vegetables properly, peel them and then keep them separately in clean utensils.

 

10. Raw Vegetable Sprouts:

Sprouts are big sources of proteins and minerals. But this is another food to avoid during pregnancy. When raw, sprouts can harbor harmful bacteria and viruses which can be a cause of bad food poisoning. You should cook it

 

11. Nuts That Cause Allergies:

If nuts can cause allergies or skin rashes on your body you avoid (nuts such as peanuts, cashews, chestnuts, filberts/hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts) it. You can eat peanuts or food containing peanuts (such as peanut butter) during pregnancy, unless you are allergic to them.Food during pregnancy

 

 12. Restaurant-Made Salads:

First Meat and eggs needs to be cooked properly then fruits and veggies need to be cleaned and chopped in clean surroundings, finally enjoy your favorite salad at home. It’s safe and hygienic. Restaurant-Made Salads the fruits, vegetables, meat or eggs might not be cleaned properly. These may contain listeria bacteria which can cause fetal problems during pregnancy.Food during pregnancy

13.Unpasteurized Juices:

you should prepare juice at home and consume it right away. Packaged juices are also safe, if it is pasteurized. But fresh juice puts you at risk of contracting the very harmful E.coli and salmonella bacteria can create problem developing baby.

14. Excessive Caffeine-Related Products:

Excessive caffeine (maximum allowable range of 200 ml or 2 cups of coffee a day) is never good during pregnancy as it acts as a diuretic and is linked to low birth weight. Caffeine is more dangerous as it is often hidden in some product you never suspected. Besides coffee, tea and chocolate, caffeine is a part of energy drinks and some cold and flu medicines. Consuming more caffeine during this phase are at higher risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and withdrawal symptoms in infants. You should drink plenty of water, juice, and milk rather than caffeinated beverages.Food during pregnancy

 

15. Herbal Teas and Supplements:

Green tea contains caffeine so drinking no more than around four cups of herbal or green tea a day during pregnancy. Some herbs can do more harm than good during pregnancy. . Avoid herbs like Senna, wormwood, Saw palmetto, as they are not usually tested like medicines.



 

16. Canned Foods:

During pregnancy canned foods are not recommended. Canned foods are packed and stored for longer period of time. It contains Bisphenol A (BPA), which affects fetal endocrine activity. You get sufficient nutrients from seasonal fresh vegetables, fruits and fish

 

17. Nitrate-Rich Foods:

Consuming in high quantity Nitrate can lead to fetal abnormalities and poor development. Bacons, sausages, diet-sodas; artificial sweetener (saccharin), etc are some of the known nitrate-rich food items.

18. Ice creams:

Excessive sugar is bad for health. Soft ice creams you like to eat when you’re pregnant, as they are processed products made with pasteurized milk and eggs, so any risk of salmonella food poisoning has been eliminated. You should check on your Ice creams and chocolates consumption.

19. Street Foods:

Avoid unhygienic street food during pregnancy as it may give you an upset stomach, food poisoning and other problems.

 

20. Fatty Foods:

Foods containing the Omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids are vital. But Excessive fatty food can make your cholesterol sky rocket. You’ll be stuck with the fat after delivery, making you vulnerable to heart diseases and obesity

 

21. Artificial Sweeteners:

Artificial sweeteners, especially saccharin, are not filtered by the placenta. Substitute normal sugar for artificial sweeteners, but do it in moderation.

 

22. Excess of Vitamins:

Follow your doctor’s advice. Don’t take high-dose multivitamin supplements or any supplements containing vitamin A .Too much vitamins during pregnancy you should not consume as these posses direct health threats to you and your unborn child. They can disrupt normal fetal development and can even trigger pre-term labor. Some vitamin overdoses are also linked to congenital disorders.

 

23. Homemade Goodies:

If you Love baking wash your hand properly .if the dough is left even slightly raw, it may attract harmful bacteria. You may contact severe food poisoning in the least and even cause harm to the fetus. Well-known bakeries are preferred must.

 

 24. Leftover food:

Eat fresh cooked foods. If required heat the leftovers in clean utensils. During pregnant leftovers should not be consumed. As these foods, even if stored properly in refrigerator, have chances of attracting bacteria. Unhealthy ways of food consumption must be avoided.

 

25 .Liver:

Too much vitamin A can harm your baby. Don’t eat liver or liver-containing products such as liver pate liver sausage or haggis, as they may contain a lot of vitamin A.

 

26. Alcohol :

Women should avoid alcohol during pregnancy to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The most dangerous time to drink appears to be later in the first trimester. No level of alcohol has been proved safe during pregnancy. The safest bet is to avoid alcohol entirely. . Mothers who drink alcohol have a higher risk of miscarriage and stillbirth

 

27. Sushi

Sushi is fine to eat when you’re pregnant. Any raw wild fish used to make it has been frozen first. This is because, occasionally, wild fish contains small parasitic worms that could make you ill. Freezing kills the worms and makes raw fish safe to eat. Cooking will also kill them. If you’re in any doubt; you might want to avoid eating the kinds of sushi that contain raw fish, such as tuna.

28.Processed Junk Foods

During pregnancy your body needs more nutrients, including protein, iron. Mainly consist of whole foods, with plenty of nutrients to fulfill the needs of the mother and growing child. But processed junk food is generally low in nutrients, and high in calories, sugar and fats. Sugar has been linked with a dramatically increased risk of developing several diseases including heart disease, excess weight gain. . It can also increase the risk of having an overweight child.

29.Energy drinks

Energy drinks due to contain high levels of caffeine and other ingredients are not recommended for pregnant women during pregnancy

 

Disclaimer:  Before you include or avoid any of the foods mentioned above in your pregnancy diet, consult your Gynecologist or health care provider.

Food during pregnancy

Food during pregnancy

Food during pregnancy