In a women’s life, pregnancy is one of the most sensitive stages. A healthy diet and proper care are the two most vital things that need your attention during this period. A nutritious diet is a basic need in everyone’s life, but its value and importance often increase in pregnancy because there are some foods to avoid during pregnancy.
During Pregnancy, There Are Many Things To Consider In A Healthy Diet Like:
- Foods to avoid during pregnancy
- Food that helps in the proper development and growth of your baby
During pregnancy, many women have to face not only hormonal changes but physiological changes as well. In pregnancy, a woman can also face a difference in her taste and develop intense cravings for weird things. But remember that, when you are pregnant, you have to be a little careful about your food for your baby’s safety.
After confirming your pregnancy, I would recommend visiting your doctor to get a perfect food chart. Your health and baby’s safety is essential, so it is vital to learn about the foods to avoid during pregnancy.
Luckily, adopting a healthy routine is not difficult because the list of things you can eat is way more extensive than the stuff you can’t eat. You have to learn how to eat and drink healthily, and fitlifeplus is on a mission to help you.
What Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy
You should avoid some foods or take them rarely, but on the other hand, there are some foods that you should altogether avoid. Here is a list of some beverages and foods to avoid during pregnancy.
Which Type Of Fish Should Be Avoided?
A fish is undoubtedly the vital and the best source of nutrients. Fish is a source of low levels of saturated fat, unsaturated fat, and relatively high Omega 3 oils. Omega 3 oil is very beneficial for your baby, especially for his brain and visual development. Besides, it is a good source of iodine as well.
It is an excellent food to include in your diet, but you have to be a little specific about what you eat during pregnancy. Because during pregnancy, all fishes are not safe, especially the raw and undercooked ones. Here are a few types:
1. Smoked Seafood
The smoked seafood, generally known as nova style, jerky, kippered, or lox, is contaminated with Listeria; thus, it is better to avoid them. However, if you are using shelf-safe smoked seafood, then it is safe.
2. Undercooked And Raw Fish
Take a limited amount of fishes like trout, pilchards, sardines, mackerel, and other oily fishes. You can take a maximum of two portions per week as they may have pollutants.
During pregnancy, you should avoid oysters and other raw fishes because it can result in food poisoning.
3. Industrial Pollutants Exposed Fish
This concern is not for all people because these fishes are not available in stores. This caution is for the person who locally goes fishing and has no idea about its surrounding water. You can find trout; walleye, bluefish, pike, salmon, and striped bass are local lakes.
Suppose you don’t have much detail about the stream lake water. In that case, it is better to consult the local health department to know whether the fishes there are safely edible or not because there are chances that the water may be exposed to industrial wastes and pollutants somewhere.
4. High Mercury Fish
There is no known safe level for mercury as it is a toxic material. A higher level of mercury causes adverse effects on your nervous system, kidneys, and immune system as well. In the case of pregnancy, it can harm your baby. Therefore it is better to avoid fishes with high levels of mercury.
- Shark, swordfish, marlin are the fishes that can affect your baby’s nervous system.
- Tuna fish is also not healthy, and you should avoid it for your baby’s health and try to limit its use to a maximum of four medium tuna cooked cans.
- In sushi, it is better to take a limited amount as it is not confirmed which fish is used in it.
5. Liver
Undoubtedly vitamins are 100% beneficial for your health but, do you know that an excessive amount of vitamin A can be harmful to your baby. Liver and liver products are generally the best vitamins A sources, but this excess vitamin A can harm pregnancy and baby.
Thus it is better to avoid liver pate, liver sausages, cod liver oil, and other liver products to avoid complications in your pregnancy. Due to a high level of vitamin A in the liver, it is better to avoid it in pregnancy.
6. Raw And Undercooked Meat
Raw meat points out meat with a hint of blood or pinks like Parma ham, salami, chorizo, salami, and pepperoni. All are raw meat. On the other hand, you should avoid sausage, meat, game meats because they are undercooked.
Why Should You Avoid These Foods?
Generally, everyone knows that there are parasite toxoplasmosis and coliform bacteria in poorly cooked food. They can even result in miscarriage.
7. Organ Meat
Organ meat is a good source of Vitamin B12, copper, iron, and definitely, vitamin A and these are all good for an expecting mother. But, if taken in an excess amount that crosses the safety limit, it can cause liver toxicity and even congenital disabilities.
8. Deli Meat
Deli meat that is impure with Listeria can cross the placenta and can harm your baby. This infection ultimately results in blood poisoning that can result in miscarriage. If you want to take them, ensure to cook them properly; otherwise, it is better to avoid them.
Safe Meat To Take During Pregnancy
- Properly cooked beef and chicken
- Properly cooked burgers, sausages, and pork’s
- Pre-packed meats
9. Raw And Undercooked Eggs
Salmonella is a cause of food poisoning that is harmful to your baby’s health. If you take raw eggs, then diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, and fever can give you a hard time. In rare cases, infection resulting in premature birth or stillbirth can sometimes result in uterine cramps.
Homemade mayonnaise and mousse, lightly poached and scrambled eggs, and hollandaise sauce may contain eggs; therefore, it is better to avoid them. But casually eggs used in ice creams, eggnog, and dressings are pasteurized and commercially prepared. So salmonella is not a risk factor in that case.
Specific Cheese – Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy
When you hear the name of the cheese, it becomes challenging to control the cravings for it. Unfortunately, your pregnancy demands the avoidance of much avoidance of certain types of cheese. The main reason behind the restriction is listeriosis, which is the result of listeria bacteria in many kinds of cheese.
Listeriosis can make your baby unhealthy, and even it results in miscarriage and stillbirth.
10. Specific Cheese To Avoid In Pregnancy
- Mould- Goat’s cheese, chevre, brie, camembert
- Blue veined cheese gorgonzola, danish blue, Roquefort
Don’t worry! I have good news for you; here is a list of cheese you can have in your pregnancy.
- All hard cheeses that include cheddar, stilton, parmesan.
- Soft and unpasteurized cheeses and cook thoroughly until it steams hot.
- Cream cheese, paneer, mozzarella, ricotta, feta.
11. Processed Junk Foods
In your pregnancy phase, your primary concern is undoubtedly the fetus inside your womb. In this period, it is better to take proper and nutritious food rather than unhealthy and unhygienic fast food every day.
Essential nutrients with iron, protein, folate, and other nutrients must be taken in the proper amount for your baby’s appropriate growth.
12. Pate
Generally, it is restricted because both vegetable and meat-based pate has a risk of listeria infection.
13. Empty Calorie Foods
Empty calorie foods include different types of chips, candy, biscuits, cakes, chips, and cookies. They are not only rich in sugars and fats and have very little nutritional value. Just like junk foods, they get in the way of your efforts and make you more obese.
14. Raw Sprouts
Radish, clover, alfalfa, and mung bean sprouts are raw sprouts. They may have salmonella that is not only harmful but also impossible to wash off. It is suitable for expecting mothers to avoid them.
Pre-packed salads
In pre packed vegetables, fruits, and salads, there is a risk of listeria contaminants.
15. Unwashed Vegetable And Fruits
An expectant mother should be extra careful about her diet and food because it can directly affect her baby. The vegetables and fruits you bought from the market can have different types of bacteria on them. Therefore it is better to wash these vegetables carefully to avoid any harm.
16. Beverages
Here is a list of drinks to avoid during pregnancy.
17. Fruit Juices, Unpasteurized Milk, And Dairy Products
You don’t have many restrictions here because mostly the food is pasteurized, but if you have unpasteurized milk, don’t drink it before boiling. Because unpasteurized, milk increases the risk of toxoplasmosis, listeriosis, and campylobacter. These three different types of bacteria can prove to be fatal for your baby.
18. Caffeine
Caffeine does not only act as a diuretic but also acts as a psychoactive substance. In a pregnant lady, caffeine can result in calcium and water loss due to the elimination of fluid; therefore, caffeine has restrictions. During pregnancy, 200mg per day of caffeine is allowed this period.
19. Alcohol
During pregnancy, alcohol drinking is strictly prohibited as the fetus’s liver, unlike adults, cannot process alcohol. During pregnancy, alcohol drinking can result in long-term trauma, including facial deformities, heart defects, and many other problems.
On the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy, Alcohol drinking is on the top. Not only in the pregnancy period but also in breastfeeding time, you should altogether avoid alcohol.
20. Herbal Teas
Herbal teas are not harmful, but not more than 3 to 4 cups a day.
FAQ’S
During pregnancy, how much fruit can I eat?
You can take two to four servings of nutritious fruit daily. One serving usually includes a cut fruit’s cup or maybe a medium piece of the whole fruit.
Can pregnant women drink fruit juice?
Generally, pregnant ladies are advised to avoid fresh juices altogether, and its main reason is that non- pasteurized juices can result in illness related to digestion. Before taking the juice, make sure it is pasteurized or not.
You can drink prune juices when you have cravings for fruit juice, as it helps prevent your constipation. Juices with vitamin C and folic juices help avoid adverse conditions like spina bifida and help your fetus develop naturally.
Overall, it is better to avoid all juices. Especially the fruits you know are harmful to the health of your baby. At the start, it might be challenging to give up on your favorite food but remember that it is essential for the safety of your baby.
Is there a general diet chart for pregnant women?
Here is a general diet chart or a small hint related to your everyday diet. When you are going through one of the most sensitive times in your life that is your pregnancy period, you should eat the following fruits in your daily life.
- Water 8 glasses
- Whole grain cereals and bread six servings
- Fresh fruit and vegetables – Take five servings with two servings of green leafy vegetables
- Milk products, nonfat milk, and low-fat products – three servings
- Extra-lean meats, fish, and chicken without skin.
Is overweight a matter of concern during pregnancy?
It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy, but overweight can be dangerous. It can result in many diseases like heart diseases, gestational or type 2 diabetes, and even complications during your baby’s birth.
