What Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy?
There are certain foods that you have to avoid completely during pregnancy and there are some foods that you have to minimize. You will have to be very careful in your diet when pregnant. Here is the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy and foods to minimize.
15 Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy:
One should pay attention to what foods and beverages to avoid when you are pregnant. Let us check out the list.
1. Unpasteurized Dairy Products:
Avoid any food from unpasteurized dairy products such as soft cheeses made from raw milk. These foods contain bacteria and may cause illness. Unpasteurized dairy products like raw milk, cheese, and yogurt can contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria, which can cause serious infections during pregnancy. It is important to ensure that dairy products are properly pasteurized before consuming.
2. Refrigerated Ready-to-eat Foods:
Stay away from the foods like refrigerated ready-to-eat perishable foods such as luncheon meats, deli meats, or hot dogs, etc. These may lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infections.
3. Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables:
Unwashed fruits and vegetables can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can cause food poisoning during pregnancy. It is important to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before consuming.
Also Read: Benefits of Okra During Pregnancy
4. Raw or Uncooked Meat:
Uncooked, raw, and processed meat or poultry may lead to toxoplasmosis infection, and this may pass to the fetus. This could result in early prenatal death or serious problems for the baby.
5. Raw or undercooked Eggs:
Raw eggs contain bacteria like Salmonella which is harmful to your baby. Avoid eating raw eggs. Eat only completely cooked eggs.
6. Undercooked or Raw Seafood
If you are a lover of sushi, then it may be tough for you but highly important to avoid. These will cause several infections. It is not good for both mother and baby. Raw fish can cause bacterial and parasitic infections. It will make the baby weak. These foods may contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, or listeria, which can cause serious illness for both the mother and the baby.
Also Read: How To Get Pregnant With Twins?
7. Soft cheeses:
Unpasteurized soft cheeses such as brie, feta, and blue cheese may contain listeria, which can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
8. Certain herbs and supplements:
Some herbs and supplements can be harmful to the developing baby, including ginger, licorice, and ginseng. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements during pregnancy.
9. Alcohol:
Avoid alcohol completely during your pregnancy as it negatively affects your baby’s growth. Not drinking alcohol during pregnancy is safe. If pregnant women consume alcohol, babies may have issues such as learning problems, hyperactive behavior, cognitive delays, etc.
Also Read: Benefits of Flax Seeds During Pregnancy
10. Unpasteurized Juices:
When fruits or vegetables are made into squeezed juices, there may be harmful bacteria present that could make people sick. Unpasteurized fruits and vegetable juices should be avoided during pregnancy as they are not good for the baby.
11. Raw Sprouts:
Raw or lightly cooked sprouts are not safe to eat while you are pregnant. It may cause foodborne infection. These bacteria may cause your conditions such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, etc, and make you sick and can even make your immune system weak.
12. Caffeine or Black Tea Or Green Tea:
If you are a coffee lover, try to avoid coffee intake too many times as it leads to low birth weight for your baby. A study by SFH found that if a pregnant woman takes coffee or black tea or green tea(herbal) more than twice a day, there are high chances of having a miscarriage.
13. Junk Foods:
Some foods from outside may be uncooked or unwashed. You will not know the quality of the ingredients they use. Those may be cooked using reused oil which can have serious repercussions. It is good for the baby’s health to avoid.
Also Read: Symptoms Of Baby Girl During Pregnancy
14. High Mercury Fish:
Certain types of fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish contain high levels of mercury, which can damage the nervous system of the unborn baby. It is best to avoid these types of fish during pregnancy and opt for fish with lower mercury levels such as salmon, tilapia, and cod.
15. Contaminated water:
More water intake is important to keep your body hydrated. You have to be very careful and have to drink only safe water. Always drink boiled lukewarm water.
Overall, it is important to be mindful of what you eat during pregnancy, as certain foods can pose a risk to the health of both the mother and the unborn baby. It is best to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Proper diet is important during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for your diet care. Do not eat the foods that are to be avoided[1]. Reheat the meat to 165°F before you eat. Know the minimum cooking temperatures before eating. Do not worry to avoid these foods while you are pregnant. You can eat it much more after the delivery.
