10 Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy
Table of Contents
Every expecting mother needs to know about the different types of foods to avoid during pregnancy. That is because some food items have the potential to cause serious harm to your baby and may even cause a miscarriage. You need to be especially careful during the first trimester when the risk of miscarriage is the highest. Below are some of the foods that strictly should not be a part of your pregnancy diet.
Undercooked Meat
Undercooked meat contains a bacterium called Toxoplasma gondii, which can impair the development of the foetus’ eyes and muscles. So if you are eating out or cooking, make sure that the meat is cooked through and through. Do not consume rare or underdone meat preparations.
Unpasteurized Milk
Unpasteurized milk contains dangerous microorganisms like listeria and campylobacter that can cause food poisoning in the mother. They can even lead to the death of the foetus and cause a miscarriage. If you do not have access to pasteurized milk, make sure you boil it before consumption
Fish containing mercury
Mercury is lethal to the human body. Trace elements of mercury are present in many varieties of sea fishes, especially those caught from polluted waters. Such fishes can affect the development of your baby’s nervous system and kidneys.That is why, it is ideal to avoid fishes like herring or hilsa, oyster, Indian mackerel, pomfret and tuna. Instead, you can safely opt for freshwater fishes.
Raw eggs
Boiled eggs whose yolk and whites have solidified are ideal for a pregnant woman. Raw or partially boiled eggs contain listeria and salmonella- dangerous bacteria that can lead to birth defects. They can also reduce the quantity of amniotic fluid inside the uterus that could result in premature labour.
Crabs
You can consume crabs during pregnancy in very small portions because they are a good source of calcium. But, crabs contain plenty of cholesterol. So, too much of it can cause your uterus to shrink. Internal bleeding and miscarriage might follow.
Pineapple
Pineapple juice contains bromelain, which can make your cervix contract and lead to miscarriage. It is vital to avoid pineapple in the first three months of pregnancy.
Animal Liver
If you consume animal liver too frequently, retinol begins to accumulate. It can cause birth defects especially on the face of your baby.
Aloe Vera
On account of its numerous health benefits, not many people know that they should include Aloe Vera in the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy. But make no mistake, you must steer clear of it during your pregnancy. That is because it contains anthraquinones, which can lead to pelvic bleeding, uterine contractions, and miscarriage. Also, try to avoid aloe vera gel even though it is applied topically and not ingested.
Papaya
Green papayas can induce contractions of the uterus because it contains a type of laxative. The result could be a miscarriage and internal haemorrhage.
Caffeine
Consuming caffeine in excess triggers the production of cortisol - the stress hormone. It makes your heart beat faster and drags up your blood pressure, both of which will harm your baby. Caffeine also makes you urinate frequently because it is a diuretic. That means your body will lose fluids. If you are not hydrated, it will delay labour.Caffeine is a stimulant, so it also disrupts the foetus’ sleep pattern.
Conclusion
During pregnancy, you have to exercise a lot of caution regarding the food that you eat because even healthy everyday foods can do irreversible damage. [av_promobox button='yes' label='Consult a doctor on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello']Pregnancy is a time during which you should exercise extreme caution, especially with your diet. Talk to a doctor through MediBuddy to seek help with the creation of a carefully curated pregnancy diet plan.[/av_promobox] Sources:
