When you’re pregnant, your baby’s needs come first. Certain meals should be avoided during pregnancy due to this significant shift in your life. By eliminating these foods from your diet, you and your baby can remain happy and healthy during all three trimesters.
Avoiding these foods will help you prevent pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria, which can cause illness and even miscarriage. If you have any concerns regarding your food choices, you can always consult your doctor or this pregnancy diet app.
Here are ten foods you should avoid while pregnant. Keep in mind that the items in this list are not in any specific order.
1. Alcohol
It’s critical to stop drinking alcohol when you learn you’re pregnant. Even at the earliest stages of pregnancy, exposing your baby to alcohol in the womb can interfere with the fetus’s healthy development. It can also lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and negatively impact your baby’s brain development in extreme circumstances.
2. Unwashed Fruit And Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables play an essential role in a healthy pregnancy diet. An apple a day keeps the doctor away for sure, and even though ice cream and junk food sound more exciting, fruit and veggies are needed to keep your immune system healthy for you and the baby.
We recommend washing all fruits and vegetables before eating them. Washing your fruits and vegetables lowers your risk of contracting the parasite toxoplasmosis, which can be prevalent in the soil where these foods are cultivated. These bacterias can lead to blindness or intellectual disabilities.
3. Fish That Contains Mercury
Fish is a good source of lean protein, essential during pregnancy. Unfortunately, mercury is found in a lot of the fish we eat. Mercury can also cause brain damage and developmental delays if taken during pregnancy.
In the water and on your plate, steer clear of king mackerel, swordfish, and sharks. Even canned tuna can contain mercury (albeit in smaller amounts), so limit yourself to consumption once or twice a week. If you eat a lot of fish, talk to your doctor about the safe amounts of fish for you during your pregnancy.
4. Shellfish
Shellfish eat algae, which is then stored in their body after death. Cooking can get rid of certain bacteria, but it won’t eliminate all of them. Oysters, clams, and mussels should be avoided for the duration of your pregnancy.
5. Unpasteurized And Raw Foods
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), undercooked meat or chicken is dangerous because:
- Coliform Bacteria
- Toxoplasmosis
- Salmonella
If the newborn contracts the bacteria, he or she may become susceptible to other infections, resulting in low birth weight, jaundice, and other significant issues. The following foods should be avoided if they are raw or unpasteurized:
- Dairy that hasn’t been pasteurized or juice that hasn’t been pasteurized
- Raw fish and shellfish
- Eggs in their natural state (and foods that contain raw eggs such as raw cookie dough and certain salad dressings)
- Meats that are still uncooked
6. Deli Meats
Listeria, a bacteria prevalent in contaminated water and soil, can be discovered in deli meats. It can result in a miscarriage or early birth if contracted while pregnant. Cook hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna, and other deli meats until boiling hot or reaching a safe temperature of 165 °F (73.9 °C) as measured with a food thermometer, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
7. Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulating substance. It raises blood pressure and heart rate, which are both contraindicated during pregnancy. Caffeine can also be taken through the Placenta, which the baby cannot metabolize. During the later stages of pregnancy, this might cause the baby’s sleeping patterns to be disrupted. On the other hand, experts say that moderate doses of caffeine are safe to take.
8. Unrefrigerated Leftovers
Unrefrigerated leftovers can grow hazardous bacteria even if leftovers pizza is one of the best types of leftovers that there is! It’s best to throw it away if it’s been sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours, if it’s been sitting in the sun at all, or if you can’t remember how long it’s been sitting out. The USDA advises avoiding the “Danger Zone,” which is defined as the temperature range between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Sprouts
All sprouts, including Alfalfa, Radish, Clover, Soy Bean, and Mung Bean. Sprouts require warm, humid environments to develop, which are ideal for bacteria like Listeria, E. Coli, and Salmonella. These microorganisms have the potential to harm a fetus.
10. Organ Meat
Organ meat is high in a wide range of nutrients. Iron, Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, Zinc, Selenium, and Copper are all beneficial to both you and your kid. However, taking too much animal-based Vitamin A (preformed Vitamin A) is not suggested during pregnancy.
Too much-preformed Vitamin A can cause congenital abnormalities and miscarriage, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. The general recommendation is to limit yourself to a few ounces of organ meat like kidney or liver once a week, even though this usually pertains to Vitamin A supplements.
Here is an article that will show you 5 ways to genuinely help a new mother. It will help you find the sympathetic support you need during your incredible new life journey.
