Congratulations on your pregnancy! The baby you’re now carrying in your womb will make a significant change to your lifestyle. To ensure the baby’s safety and health, the first thing you’ll need to learn is the list of food you have to avoid while pregnant.
Don’t worry because the list of food you can eat while pregnant remains long. If you are curious about the foods which will affect your pregnancy outcome, here is the article for you.
In the meantime, you can remove the following from your daily meal plan.
List of foods not to eat while pregnant
Caffeine
That’s terrible news. Especially if you’re one of the millions of people who can’t survive without coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, or cocoa. Don’t worry because you don’t have to give it up altogether. Just remember to limit your caffeine intake to 200 mg a day . It is about 12 ounce cup of coffee, (also equivalent to 350ml cup of coffee), as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Caffeine is quickly passed into the placenta, restricting fetal growth, resulting in low birth weight. It also increases the frequency of urination, reducing your body fluids and resulting in dehydration. Remember that caffeine is a stimulant that will mess up both of your sleeping patterns.
Alcohol
Like caffeine, alcohol also passes through the placenta and into the baby’s bloodstream. The more alcohol you drink, the greater risk you’re giving your baby. Firstly, your baby can’t process alcohol as you can, so there is a risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and premature birth.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a result of drinking heavily during pregnancy. This often leads to poor growth, learning and behavioral problems, and distinct facial features.
Fish High in Mercury
Certain types of fish are high in mercury, including shark, king mackerel, tuna, and swordfish. Mercury can be found in polluted water, where large marine fish accumulate. It’s poisonous to the nervous system, kidney, and immune system and can cause children’s developmental problems. These fishes are popular especially in Japanese food which they are served raw such as sashimi. Try to avoid eating them even you are craving for it.
Sushi
Unfortunately, we’ll have to say goodbye to sushi for nine months. Raw seafood (raw oysters, sashimi, smoked seafood) is where you can get harmful bacteria and parasites. From norovirus, Listeria, Vibrio to Salmonella, the list can be endless, which will cause you dehydration and weakness. If pass onto your baby, it can lead to fatal consequences.
Unpasteurized Milk, Cheese, and Fruit Juice
Pasteurization makes sure that milk, cheese, and fruit juices are safe to drink by killing bacteria. It also prolongs the shelf life of these products. Unpasteurized leads to the opposite because they’re prone to bacterial contamination.
Raw Meat
Meat is an excellent protein source, a nutrient you’ll need, especially when you’re pregnant. However, as much as possible, order fully-cooked meat whenever you eat at home or the restaurants. This is to avoid the risk of the bacteria often found in raw meat called toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a single-celled parasite. To babies, seizures, an enlarged liver, jaundice, and severe eye infections are the most common symptoms.
E. Coli, Salmonella, and Listeria are the other bacteria found in raw meat, so beware!
Raw Egg
Anything raw can be contaminated with bacteria, and salmonella is your enemy when it comes to raw eggs. Catching salmonella while pregnant will cause you fever, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Try to avoid lightly scrambled eggs, homemade mayonnaise, or poached eggs. Commercial products are usually safe. However, it’s best to read the label. To make sure that you’re on the safe side, cook the eggs thoroughly.
Unwashed Produce
Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals, and you’ll need them now more than ever. But the biggest problem is contamination, which can occur anytime from production, processing, storage, and retail. Toxoplasma for adults can result in flu, but for babies, it’s even more dangerous.
So, make sure to wash them up thoroughly before putting them into your mouth. Cut the bruised areas and scrub the surface by using a small vegetable brush.
Raw Sprouts
Some bacteria can grow into seeds, and they are nearly impossible to wash. This includes alfalfa, mung bean sprouts, radish, and clover. These vegetables require a humid environment where bacteria thrive.
Thus, whenever you order a sandwich in restaurants, make sure to ask the staff to remove the sprouts. While if you’re planning to have them in your meals, make sure to cook them thoroughly.
Junk Food
It has been proven that mothers who eat donuts, biscuits, or anything fatty and sugary while pregnant are more likely to have a kid who would opt for fast food in their later life. Even while they’re in your tummy, you are already influencing and programming their food choices.
Plus, junk foods have zero nutritional value. You are consuming something that’s neither good for you nor the baby. It can also lead to excessive weight gain and might lead to digestive problems. Junk foods are high in sugar and calories, so consuming them shoot up the risk of gestational diabetes.
Instead, stock up on healthy snacks such as fruits and nuts. Instead of potato chips, go for baked kale chips. Choose bananas and apples to cakes and candies and fruity yogurt to ice creams. Don’t worry, eating pizza every once in a while is okay. Just make sure that you are meeting your required nutrition every day first.
Despite the cravings that pregnancy brings, it is crucial to watch out for what you eat. Remember this list of foods to avoid while pregnant, to ensure your baby’s health in the next nine months while they’re living in your tummy.
It can be a challenge, but the best way to keep your baby healthy
is to keep yourself healthy!
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