10 Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy You May Not Know

Nutrition during pregnancy is an important thing that every pregnant woman is always concerned about. How can moms have a reasonable diet while both mother and child are still healthy? Today, our section will suggest some Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy.

1. High-mercury fish

Mercury is a highly toxic chemical, it occurs in nature, and is found most often in polluted waters. Mercury in nature can be affected by bacteria and converted to the methylmercury form, which is cumulative, so toxicity occurs usually from long-term continuous exposure. Humans can be exposed to mercury in a variety of ways and in any form. However, most people are exposed to mercury in negligible concentrations.

In higher amounts, it can be toxic to the nervous system, immune system, and kidneys. For children, it will sometimes occur even in low doses and cause serious developmental problems in the child. Because mercury is found in polluted seas, large marine fish can accumulate high levels of mercury. Therefore, it is best to avoid fish with high levels of mercury while pregnant and breastfeeding.

2. Raw or undercooked fish

Raw fish can cause a number of infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, such as Norovirus, Vibrio, Salmonella, and Listeria. Some of these infections can be just as dehydrating and debilitating. But a few other infections can be passed on to your baby with serious or even fatal consequences. Pregnant women are very susceptible to Listeria infection. This bacteria can be found in contaminated soil, water, and plants. Raw fish and sometimes processed fish (such as smoked, or dried) can still be infected.

Listeria bacteria can be passed to your baby even if you don’t have any symptoms. This can lead to premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, and other serious health problems. Therefore, during pregnancy do not eat sushi or raw or undercooked fish dishes.

3. Raw meat or meat products

Raw and undercooked meat is the Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy which also carries a risk of infection with certain bacteria or parasites, including Toxoplasma, E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella. Most bacteria are found on the surface of the meat. The rest may exist within muscle fibers. The bacteria can threaten your baby’s health, possibly leading to stillbirth or serious neurological conditions, including intellectual disability, blindness, and epilepsy.

Processed meat products such as hot dogs or cold cuts can become contaminated with various bacteria during processing or storage. Therefore, pregnant women should not consume raw or undercooked meat. For processed meat products, use only them unless they have been reheated very hot.

4. Raw eggs- Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

Egg dishes can be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include high fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. However, in rare cases, the infection can cause uterine contractions, leading to premature birth or stillbirth. Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy that often contain raw eggs include:

• Light scrambled eggs
• Poached eggs
• Hollandaise Sauce
• Homemade mayonnaise
• Homemade egg salad dressing
• Homemade ice cream
• Icings homemade cake

Most industrial-scale raw egg products are made with pasteurized eggs. However, to be sure you need to read the label on the package and always cook the eggs thoroughly.

5. Organ meats

Organ meats are packed with nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, zinc, selenium, and copper – all of which are good for you and your baby. However, too much vitamin A of animal origin (transformed vitamin A) should not be consumed during pregnancy. Because consuming too much-converted vitamin A, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy, can lead to birth defects and miscarriage. It is best for pregnant women to consume organ meats such as liver in less than 100g once per week.

6. Caffeinated foods and drinks

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), pregnant women are generally advised to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams (mg) per day. Caffeine is a substance that is absorbed very quickly and easily enters the placenta. However, because the infant and placenta do not have the necessary enzymes to metabolize caffeine, if the mother consumes high levels of caffeine, the baby can develop a build-up. High caffeine intake during pregnancy has been shown to limit fetal growth and increase the risk of having a low birth weight baby.

7. Raw Sprouts

Raw sprouts such as alfalfa, clover, radish, and green bean sprouts can also be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. These plants need a moist environment for seeds to begin to germinate and are also an ideal place for bacteria to grow. For this reason, pregnant women should avoid all raw sprouts. However, if they have been cooked, sprouts are safe to use.

8. Unwashed fruits and vegetables

The surface of unwashed or unpeeled fruits and vegetables can become contaminated with certain bacteria and parasites such as Toxoplasma, E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria during growing, harvesting, processing, storage, etc. shipping or retail. In particular, a dangerous parasite is Toxoplasma. Most people infected with toxoplasma have no symptoms or may feel like they have the flu for a month or more.

Most babies infected with Toxoplasma while in the womb are born asymptomatic. In rare cases, babies will have severe eye or brain damage at birth. Others may become blind or mentally retarded as adults. Pregnant women can reduce the risk of infection by thoroughly washing vegetables under clean water, and peeling or cooking them before consuming them.

9. Unpasteurized milk, cheese, and fruit juices

Raw milk, soft cheese, and unpasteurized cheese and juice can contain a wide range of harmful bacteria, including Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. These infections can all be life-threatening for the unborn baby. To minimize the risk of infection, eat and drink only pasteurized or pasteurized milk, cheese, and juices.

10. Wine, beer- Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

Pregnant women are advised not to drink alcohol during pregnancy, as it increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Even a few small drinks can negatively impact a baby’s brain development. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can also cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which is associated with facial malformations, heart defects, and intellectual disability.

Conclusion:

Hope that the above Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy are useful. Wishing you a safe and healthy pregnancy. thank you for reading and see you later!