Women's Health

“What not to Eat “ during pregnancy

By ethnichealth

Posted on April 24, 2015

Expectant moms know that there are some foods which must be avoided in order to protect the health of their unborn babies as well as themselves. This inevitably puts pressure on every pregnant woman to make wise food choices. In this article, we have provided you with a list of foods that pose a health risk while you are pregnant.

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Avoid Drinking Unpasteurized OR Raw Milk

Drinking milk is healthy but best avoided when it is unpasteurized or raw milk, especially if you are pregnant. According to an analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is 150 times more likely to cause foodborne illness by drinking unpasteurized milk. Pathogens that could harm you and make you extremely sick are found to be present in unpasteurized milk. Drinking unpasteurized milk could also make you susceptible to an infection known as listeriosis that is caused by a harmful bacterium listeria which is found in the intestinal tracts of animals (poultry and cattle). This infection could lead you to have miscarriage, fetal illness, and sometimes could be fatal.

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Avoid Eating Liver

Liver pate and liver sausages are taste buds pleasure but a complete no-no for pregnant women. These two foods are known to contain high amounts of vitamin-A, and if consumed during pregnancy, this could lead to birth defects in the unborn baby. Doctor is the safest solace. He will be able to guide you and also suggest the correct amount of vitamin your body might need. Few other supplements you need to avoid during pregnancy are fish liver oil, high-dose multi-vitamin supplements, or supplements containing vitamin A. The vitamin-A needed for your body is converted from the beta-carotene in your body itself. This form of vitamin-A could also be found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You need to have a well-balanced healthy diet to stay fit and healthy during your pregnancy. Steering yourself away from the excess vitamin-A found in liver is a wise step towards a healthy pregnancy.

Raw eggs to be avoided during pregnancy

Eggs are a known protein booster, but if you are pregnant, then consuming uncooked or raw eggs can lead to Salmonella poisoning or E. Coli, which infect you as well the unborn baby. Care should be taken to cook eggs before consuming. Cooked eggs with solid yolks and whites are the best source of protein, vitamins, and minerals that allow you to stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.

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Fishes that must be avoided by Pregnant Women

Fish as a food is a major source of Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid) that are important for your baby’s eye and brain development. It is a best known fact that a healthy pregnancy always depends on a healthy diet. Along the same line, eating fish provides you with protein, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients that your body needs during pregnancy.

But there are certain fishes which are best avoided. These fishes possess high levels of mercury, a metal, which is very harmful to you if you are pregnant. If eaten, these fishes with their high mercury content pose a threat to your baby’s nervous system as well as brain development. Fishes that are known to have high levels of mercury content in them are Swordfish, Tuna, Shark, and King Mackeral. Caution should be exercised while choosing fish as a food during pregnancy.

We have added the names of few nutritious fishes you can eat during pregnancy, and to list a few: Pacific Sardines, Mussels, Oysters, Salmon, Crabs, and Spot Prawns.

Avoid Caffeine during pregnancy

Caffeine is known to cross the placenta and affect the fetal heart rate. It is mostly found in Coffee, Tea, and Pop. If you are pregnant, make sure you limit yourself to an intake of no more than 200 mg of caffeine per day. Regular usage of caffeine, and that to over the recommended dosage during pregnancy, may increase the chances of miscarriage, low-weight baby and also may risk your newborn to have a faster heart rate, increased breathing as well as more time awake.

Caffeine avoidance completely during pregnancy would be a wise decision.

Avoid Alcohol Intake

Avoid alcohol completely if you care for your unborn baby. It really precludes normal fetal development by robbing developing cells of oxygen and other nutrients that are essential for the normal growth of your baby. Most of the times, alcohol’s affects on the unborn baby is permanent. Why risk it? Complete abstinence from alcohol is highly warranted for a happy pregnancy.

Avoid cheese

Brie and Camembert are soft cheeses with white rinds that are safe to eat if only cooked. Avoid eating uncooked Brie and Camembert as they are less acidic, contain more moisture, and an ideal home for breeding harmful bacteria such as listeria which could cause the harmful infection listeriosis.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the organism Toxoplasma gondii which generally infects your placenta and also your unborn baby. These harmful organisms are found in meat, soil, cat faeces, and untreated water. Although toxoplasmosis is rare during pregnancy, it is better to be cautious.

Avoid cigarettes

Cigarette smoking is highly dangerous for a pregnant woman. Through smoking your unborn baby is exposed to nicotine, tar as well as carbon-monoxide, which could result in diminished oxygen supply to the baby as well induce birth defects in the newborn.

Avoid Sesame Seeds

There is a belief system that suggests sesame seeds are “heat producing” which in turn could upset the natural balance during pregnancy and may harm the baby through miscarriage or premature labor. However, there is no evidence to support this belief, but it costs nothing to be careful, right?

Avoid Spices and Herbs

Even though spices and herbs are additions to your cooking to add mouth-watering flavor, if you are pregnant, caution has to be put in place. Certain herbs like saunf (fennel), methi dana (fenugreek seeds) and soybeans contains phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen and can induce premature uterine contractions which is not advisable during pregnancy.