Things To Avoid During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very crucial stage in a women’s life. A woman needs to take care of her and another life that is inside her. And for that the most essential thing to keep in mind is diet. A pregnant woman needs to avoid all the harmful food and beverage that can cause a bad affect on her and on the baby’s health. A mother’s eating habit needs to be healthy for the right growth of the baby and also because the child needs nutrition at this point.

A lot of women go to dieticians for getting a balanced diet schedule that will work fine for her during pregnancy. But in the case because of some reasons if you can’t, then here is a list of food that should be avoided during pregnancy.

UNDERCOOKED OR RAW MEAT

All the Poultry products should be taken only if they are cooked properly. It is very important for the health of your baby because undercooked meat can be a cause of infection. Make sure that there is no trace of pink or blood. Toxoplasmosis is a kind of infection that spreads through cold meat such as, salami, pepperoni, and Parma ham if undercooked. So, it is preferred to eat food that is perfectly cooked and properly steamed or has been frozen for some days as it kills the parasite that is a reason such diseases.

High Mercury Fish

Mercury is a highly toxic element. It has no known safe level of exposure and is most commonly found in polluted water.  In higher amounts, it can be toxic to your nervous system, immune system and kidneys. It may also cause serious developmental problems in children. Since it’s found in polluted seas, large marine fish can accumulate high amounts of mercury.

High-mercury fish include:

• Shark
• Swordfish
• King mackerel
• Tuna (especially albacore tuna)

It’s important to note that not all fish are high in mercury — just certain types. Consuming low-mercury fish during pregnancy is very healthy, and these fish can be eaten up to 2 times per week. Fatty fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are equally important for your baby.

RAW EGGS

The yolks and whites should be cooked until they are solid as an undercooked egg can be a reason for salmonella which is a cause of food poisoning. The infection can harm the unborn baby and thus, intake of properly cooked eggs is necessary. Also, avoid using crack or dirty eggs. Eggs in the form of cooked food are fine to have like homemade mayonnaise and so.

CAFFEINE

Intake of caffeine should be limited as it can increase the risk of miscarriage. Taking caffeine over the limits can have harmful effects on the baby causing him/her to grow slowly. Chocolate, coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, tea are some of the products that must be avoided as they contain a good amount of caffeine. As a general rule, caffeine should be limited to fewer than 200 mg per day during pregnancy.

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is something that should be avoided all through your pregnancy period. No amount of alcohol intake is safe while you are pregnant as it can have a long-term impact on the baby. But, if still, you want to have some then that should be in the initial three months for pregnancy.

UNPASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE AND FRUIT JUICE

Unpasteurized milk cannot be found at stores but they can be found in the form of soft cheese. So, raw milk or unpasteurized cheese should stay away from as they contain harmful bacteria. Access to milk, while you are pregnant, should always be after it has been boiled properly. To avoid infection, you should use only hard cheese like swiss and cheddar. Freshly squeezed juices from markets are prone to bacteria and thus can be harmful to consume.

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

Mostly all the vegetables and fruits are fine to eat during this time but you need to take care if they are washed properly. It is important to check that they have been washed well to avoid exposure to toxoplasmosis which may contaminate the soil where the vegetables are grown. In short, wash fruit, vegetables and salads to remove all traces of soil and visible dirt.

Fruits one should definitely avoid are – Pineapple, Grapes, Papaya and Bitter Melon.

Hence, to not have any kind of trouble in your pregnancy, you need to take care of these points and avoid all the food items listed above for a healthy child. Except for this, keep hygiene your first priority.

Tip – Raw sprouts may be contaminated with bacteria inside the seeds. Pregnant women should only eat cooked sprouts.

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