No doubt, pregnancy is the most important phase in any woman’s life. Yet, this phase requires a lot of care and attention. Yes! Especially when it comes to pregnancy nutrition. It is not always what you like to eat. But you need to think twice and thrice before taking the food for your little one. There are specific foods to avoid in pregnancy.
Today, in this blog piece, we have uncovered the top ten foods to avoid during early pregnancy. Consuming these foods can lead to major health concerns, leaving you and your little one in discomfort and pain. So, without wasting any further moments, let us get straight to the insights!
Can Wrong Food Choices Pose Health Risks in Pregnancy?
Wrong food choices during pregnancy can be dangerous for the mother and the baby. Even the smallest of mistakes can result in big complications during pregnancy. That's why there are some specific foods to avoid in pregnancy, like papaya, raw eggs, etc. While on the other hand, you can intake food items with essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals.
The list of foods to avoid in pregnancy contains some minerals or enzymes that impact childbirth and development. A few consequences of eating the wrong foods during pregnancy include premature delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirth. And for the unborn baby, it can create adverse medical conditions and expose them to different syndromes.
Coming up is a compiled list of the top ten foods to avoid in pregnancy. Have a look!
List of Top 10 Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy
Now that you know how essential it is to know about foods to eat while pregnant and the foods to avoid during pregnancy, let us jump onto the list of foods to avoid. The list below also emphasizes the negative impact of each item.
1. Unripe Papaya
Papaya is beneficial for health, but unripe ones are a paradox in pregnancy. It is one of the foods to avoid in the first month of pregnancy. The unripe papaya contains high amounts of latex and papain. It increases uterine contractions and the risk of miscarriage. Apart from this, papain triggers early labor and premature delivery complications. And it weakens the internal system that supports fetal growth.
2. Large Marine Fish
Ranked second on the list of foods to avoid in pregnancy, marine fish can also pose a threat to your unborn. A famous line states if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but during pregnancy, it goes around the other way. Well, most large marine fish varieties contain toxic levels of mercury content. For example, big fishes like swordfish and tuna accumulate mercury that hinders the development of the fetus. Doctors advise avoiding mercury-rich marine fish to prevent serious growth problems in the developing fetus.
3. Soft Cheese
There are a lot of soft cheese varieties in the market. But consuming soft cheese is yet another foods to avoid in pregnancy. It contains a bacteria named listeria that can cause infections. Listeriosis often leads to dehydration and food poisoning. So, it is never recommended for women who are pregnant. The safe varieties of foods to eat while pregnant include cream cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and ricotta, made with pasteurized milk.
4. Deli Meats
Deli meats like cold cuts or sliced meat are a big ‘no’ for pregnant women. It is another among the list of foods to avoid in pregnancy because it increases the chance of foodborne illness. The bacteria listeria can be easily found on deli meat chopping surfaces and equipment. Consuming these meats not only increases the risk of listeriosis but also makes women prone to complications and preterm labor.
5. Raw Eggs
Do you love eating raw eggs? Then, you would sadly have to say goodbye to them during pregnancy because raw eggs contain the bacteria Salmonella, which causes problems like fever and stomach cramps. Yes, it is another on the list of foods to avoid in pregnancy. In addition to it, it can also aggravate problems of nausea and uterus cramps. As a result, avoid and cut off foods such as tiramisu, egg benedict, mayonnaise, and other dishes that contain raw eggs from your diet.
6. Raw Fish or Meat
Fish and meat are definitely good sources of animal protein, but not until it's cooked right for pregnant women. The undercooked meat and fish are yet another foods to avoid during early pregnancy. They can have viruses and parasites that harm the body during pregnancy. As a consequence, expecting mothers become more prone to food poisoning and infectious bacteria like listeria, vibrio, and even Clostridium.
7. Unpasteurized Dairy
Next on the list of foods to avoid in the first month of pregnancy are unpasteurized products. The unpasteurized dairy products contain Listeria bacteria that cause infections like food poisoning, miscarriage, and even the demise of the newborn. As a result, these infections are life-threatening for the unborn baby and the pregnant mother. That's why it is advisable to take only pasteurized dairy products during pregnancy.
8. Raw Sprouts
No doubt, raw sprouts are healthy for the body and have a lot of nutrition. But they bring along a biome of bacteria. For instance, raw sprouts, including alfalfa, bean sprouts, and Clover, can become a breeding ground for E. coli bacteria. If you love to take sprouts in salads, make sure it's cooked. It is among the foods to avoid when trying to get pregnant as it increases the risk of infections.
9. Raw Seafood
Besides avoiding large fish, it is also wise to avoid raw seafood during pregnancy. All the salmon sushi or tuna sashimi you might love eating is a big no for the pregnancy diet. Hence, it ranks ninth on this compiled list of foods to avoid in pregnancy. That is because these meals perish, especially when they are undercooked or raw. Be careful when you visit your favorite Japanese restaurants during pregnancy. Go with cooked seafood choices to avoid infections that come along with raw meats in your favorite dishes.
10. Drumstick
Drumsticks or moringa are the last that we have on our list of foods to avoid in pregnancy. This medicinal plant generally benefits the body, but its laxative properties are a hazard for expecting mothers. It acts as an anti-fertility ingredient and often leads to complications in implantation. Despite the several health benefits, pregnant women should limit or altogether avoid eating drumsticks during pregnancy. They may use this ingredient post-pregnancy to improve immunity and boost bone health.
Conclusion
That was all for the list of foods to avoid in pregnancy. Remember that everything you consume during pregnancy has a direct impact on your body and your unborn baby. So, eat healthily and avoid food items like raw fish, raw meats, and processed foods. Staying away from your favorite food and beverages might sound like a challenge, but it at least saves you from pregnancy complications.
Lastly, if you need to know more about the best diet for pregnancy, consult your dietician for a customized diet. Learn about foods to avoid in the first month of pregnancy and later stages. If topics on women's care, lifestyle, and fitness interest you, find more content on The Voice of Woman blogs!!
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