11 Foods and Beverages to Avoid During Pregnancy – What Not to Eat
When pregnant, one of the first things women discover is what they can’t eat. If you’re a huge fan of sushi, coffee, or rare steak, it might be a genuine bummer.
Fortunately, you can eat more food than you can. All you have to do is learn how to use the water (the low mercury waters, that is). To be healthy, you’ll need to pay close attention to what you eat and drink.
Some foods should only be eaten occasionally, while others should be altogether avoided. Here are 11 foods and drinks to avoid or consume in moderation when expecting.
1. High mercury fish
An extremely dangerous element is mercury. It is most frequently found in contaminated water and has no known safe exposure limit.
It can be hazardous to your kidneys, immunological system, and brain system at larger doses. Children who consume it may also experience major developmental issues; harmful effects can still occur at smaller doses.
Large marine fish can accumulate substantial levels of mercury since it is present in polluted environments. Therefore, it is advised to stay away from high mercury fish while nursing.
Fish high in mercury should be avoided include:
shark
swordfish
Queen Mackerel
tuna (particularly bigeye tuna) (especially bigeye tuna)
marlin
from the Gulf of Mexico, tilefish
Indigo roughy
It’s crucial to remember that only some species of fish are high in mercury.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, eating low-mercury fish while pregnant is quite healthful and can be done up to three times per week (FDA).
There are many low mercury fish, including:
anchovies
cod
flounder
haddock
salmon
tilapia
trout (freshwater) (freshwater)
Salmon and anchovies are particularly ideal choices since they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for the development of your unborn child.
2. Undercooked or raw fish
You sushi lovers will find this difficult, but it’s a crucial one. Shellfish in particular can spread various illnesses when eaten raw. These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites such salmonella, listeria, vibrio, and norovirus.
Some of these infections may merely have an impact on you, leaving you weak and dehydrated. Other illnesses could be transmitted to your unborn child and have dire, even deadly, effects.
Listeria infections are particularly dangerous for expectant mothers. In fact, compared to the general population, pregnant women have an up to 10-fold increased risk of contracting Listeria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hispanic women who are pregnant are 24 times more at danger.
This bacteria can be discovered in contaminated water, plants, or soil. Infected raw fish can spread during cooking, smoking, or drying.
Even if you are not ill, the placenta can transmit the listeria germs to your unborn child. According to the CDCTrusted Source, this can result in an early delivery, a miscarriage, a stillbirth, and other major health issues.
Avoiding raw fish and shellfish, especially many sushi dishes, is strongly suggested. But don’t worry; once the kid is delivered and it’s safe to eat again, you’ll appreciate it much more.
3. Undercooked, raw, and processed meat
Undercooked meat shares some similarities with raw fish in terms of its problems. Eating meat that is undercooked or uncooked increases your chance of contracting certain germs or parasites, such as Toxoplasma or E. Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
Your child’s health could be in danger from bacteria, which could result in stillbirth or serious neurological conditions like epilepsy, blindness, and intellectual handicap.
Despite the fact that the majority of bacteria are found on the surface of complete pieces of meat, some may continue to exist within the muscle fibers.
Tenderloins, sirloins, and ribeye from beef, lamb, and veal are some examples of complete cuts of meat that may be safe to eat even when not fully cooked. This is true only if the meat is entire or uncut and has finished cooking on the outside.
Never eat cut meat uncooked or undercooked, including meat patties, burgers, minced meat, pig, and fowl. Keep the burgers well done on the grill for the time being.
Pregnant women are occasionally surprised to learn that hot dogs, lunch meat, and deli meat are also problematic. Various germs may infect this kind of meat during preparation or storage.
Processed meat items shouldn’t be consumed by expectant mothers until they have been cooked through thoroughly.
4. Raw eggs
Salmonella bacteria can be present in raw eggs.
Salmonella infections can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, pains in the stomach, and diarrhea.
However, the infection can occasionally result in uterine cramping, which can result in an early birth or a loss.
Raw eggs are frequently seen in the following foods:
mild egg scramble
fried eggs
sauce hollandaise
personal mayonnaise
a few homemade salad sauces
Made-at-home ice cream
homemade frosting for cakes
The majority of commercially available raw egg products are manufactured with pasteurised eggs and are safe to eat. To be certain, you should always read the label.
Always use pasteurised eggs or thoroughly cook eggs to be on the safe side. Save the homemade mayo and incredibly runny yolks for once the baby makes its appearance.
5. Organ meat
A rich source of many nutrients is organ meat.
These include iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, zinc, selenium, copper, and vitamin A, all of which are healthy for both you and your unborn child. Preformed vitamin A derived from animals should not be consumed in excess when pregnant.
Too much preformed vitamin A can cause congenital abnormalities and miscarriage, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
It’s advisable to limit your intake of organ meats like liver to just a few ounces once a week, despite the fact that this is generally related with vitamin A supplements.
6. Caffeine
You might be one of the millions of people who enjoys a cup of coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate every day. When it comes to our love of caffeine, you most certainly are not alone.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women should normally limit their daily caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams (mg) (ACOG).
The placenta may easily absorb caffeine and it is swiftly absorbed by the body. High quantities of caffeine can accumulate because newborns and their placentas lack the primary enzyme required for its metabolization.
High levels of caffeine use during pregnancy have been demonstrated to limit fetal growth and increase the risk of giving birth to a baby who is underweight.
Low birth weight is considered to be less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. (about 2.5 kg) — is linked to a higher risk of neonatal mortality as well as a higher chance of developing chronic illnesses as an adult.
So be careful with your everyday drink or cup of coffee to prevent giving your infant too much caffeine.
7. Raw sprouts
It’s possible that the healthy salad you choose has erroneous elements as well. Salmonella may be present in raw sprouts, such as alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts.
These types of bacteria thrive in the humid conditions needed by seeds to begin sprouting, and they are nearly impossible to remove with regular washing.
You’re advised to stay away from raw sprouts completely because of this. Nevertheless, the FDATrusted Source claims that sprouts that have been cooked are safe to eat.
8. Unwashed produce
Fruits and vegetables that have not been washed or peeled may have a variety of bacteria and parasites on their surface.
Among them include E and Toxoplasma. Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella are contagious pathogens that can be obtained via soil or by handling.
During the course of production, harvest, processing, storage, transportation, or retail, contamination can happen at any time. Toxoplasma is a potentially harmful parasite that can persist on fruits and vegetables.
Most persons who contract toxoplasmosis show no symptoms, but some may experience flu-like symptoms for a month or more.
Most babies that contract the Toxoplasma bacteria while still in the womb are symptom-free when they are born. However, later in life, symptoms including blindness or intellectual problems may appear.
Additionally, a small proportion of infected neonates are born with severe eye or brain impairment.
The danger of infection should be reduced as much as possible when you are pregnant by thoroughly washing with water, peeling, or boiling fruits and vegetables. Maintain it as a healthy habit once the baby is born as well.
9. Unpasteurized milk, cheese, and fruit juice
Unpasteurized cheese, soft-ripened cheeses, and raw milk all have the potential to harbor dangerous pathogens including Listeria, Salmonella, and E. as well as Campylobacter. (By this point, these certainly sound familiar.)
The same is true for unpasteurized juice, which can also be contaminated with bacteria. All of these illnesses have the potential to be fatal to an unborn childTrusted Source.
The bacteria may have developed naturally or may have been introduced during collection or storage. The best technique to eliminate any hazardous germs without affecting the nutritional content of the items is by pasteurization.
Eat only pasteurized milk, cheese, and fruit juice to reduce the risk of illnesses.
10. Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is strongly discouraged when expecting since it raises the chance of stillbirth and miscarriageTrusted Source. The brain development of your infant can be adversely affected by even a tiny amountTrusted Source.
Fetal alcohol syndrome, which includes facial deformities, heart issues, and intellectual incapacity, can also be brought on by alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
It is advised to abstain from alcohol entirely during pregnancy because no amount of it has been shown to be safe.
11. Processed junk foods
Pregnancy is the ideal time to begin consuming nutrient-rich meals to benefit both you and your developing baby. Numerous vital nutrients, such as protein, folate, choline, and iron will need to be consumed in greater quantities.
You can eat as you normally would during the first semester, then boost your intake by about 350 calories per day during your second trimester, and by about 450 calories per day during your third trimester, which is a myth.
A healthy pregnancy diet should primarily consist of whole foods with sufficient of nutrients to meet the needs of both you and the unborn child. In general, processed junk food is high in calories, sugar, and added fats but poor in nutrition.
While some weight increase is normal during pregnancy, excessive weight gain has been associated with a number of problems and illnesses. These include a higher risk of gestational diabetes and problems during pregnancy or childbirthTrusted Source.
Keep your meals and snacks focused on protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables that are high in fiber. You can easily incorporate vegetables into your dishes without sacrificing flavor, so don’t worry.
The bottom line
It’s important to stay away from foods and drinks that could harm you or your unborn child while you’re pregnant.
While the majority of foods and drinks can be consumed without any problems, some, such as raw fish, unpasteurized dairy products, alcohol, and high mercury fish, should be avoided.
In addition, certain meals and drinks like coffee and those with a lot of added sugar should be avoided to support a healthy pregnancy.
Check out this post about healthy eating during pregnancy to discover more about the foods you should eat while pregnant and visit our site My growing toddler.
QUICK TIPS FOR FOODS TO AVOID WHEN PREGNANT
Steer clear of fish high in mercury, such as marlin, shark, swordfish, and tuna.
Bacteria and parasites can be present in raw fish and shellfish. Some of these may be harmful to your health and the health of your baby.
Meat that is raw or undercooked could have dangerous microorganisms. Generally speaking, meat needs to be fully cooked.
Salmonella contamination in raw eggs poses a risk to both you and your unborn child. Before eating, make sure the eggs are fully cooked.
Iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and copper are all found in large quantities in organ meat. Limit your consumption of organ meat to a few ounces once a week to avoid getting too much vitamin A.
Limit your daily caffeine intake to 200 mg, which is equivalent to 2 to 3 cups of coffee. Low birth weight and restricted growth of the infant may result from high caffeine consumption during pregnancy.
Sprouts that are still raw could contain germs. Eat them only if they are fully cooked.
Foods like fruits and vegetables could contain dangerous microorganisms like Toxoplasma. All fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed in lots of fresh water.
Consuming unpasteurized milk, cheese, or fruit juice increases your risk of contracting germs.
Don’t drink any alcohol. Alcohol consumption can raise the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome, stillbirth, and miscarriage.
Processed food consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of problems like gestational diabetes and excessive weight gain. For both you and your child’s long-term health, this may have negative effects.
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