Estimated reading time: 0 minutes
By nature, pregnancy is a blessing and a gift to us. This provides us a great deal of happiness as well as responsibility, as life is being created within us. It is one of the most valuable experiences for both partners, and they will cherish it for the rest of their lives. Pregnancy entails a great deal of responsibility due to the fact that a life is being nurtured within the womb, and it becomes essential for every woman to take care of herself. Sustaining mental and physical wellness is essential for all pregnant women. As we all know, a nutritious diet is essential for maintaining the health of both mother and child. But, there are certain foods that should be avoided to protect the health of both mother and child. This article sheds light on the items that every pregnant woman should avoid eating.
Introduction
As a pregnant woman, you eat for two, and your cravings change. There are occasions when you crave a food that you have never enjoyed. Sometimes the pregnant mother desires to consume everything, regardless of whether or not it is healthy.
During this time, we talk a lot about eating fresh and healthy food, but there are many foods that should be avoided from the diet. This could cause harm to both the child and the mother, as well as halt the development of the foetus.
The following foods and practices should be avoided.
Street Food
As a pregnant woman, you desire sweet, spicy, and sour foods, as well as street foods such as chat, dosha, pani puri, etc. This increases the likelihood of contracting an illness or food poisoning. Due to unsanitary water and food preparation, fast food can sometimes be dangerous. It is wise to avoid both fast food and street meals. Instead, try preparing them at home with nutritious vegetables and other safer components.
Oily Foods
Avoid trans fats, which are found in fast food and processed meals such as pizza, cookies, and icing. Avoiding certain foods reduces the chance of developing heart disease and promotes foetal development. Use flaxseed, almonds, and olives, which are rich sources of fats and also give nourishment, instead.
Licorice
The herb known as mulethi in Hindi should be avoided during pregnancy because it contains glycyrrhizin, which might inhibit foetal growth. It permits the stress hormone to reach the infant via the placenta, lowering its intelligence quotient. It is established that youngsters with ADHD are Licorice’s side effects. Licorice can also induce high blood pressure in pregnant women, thus it is recommended to avoid it.
Excessive Vitamin Consumption
It is recommended that you take nutrients such as iron, calcium, and folic acid, but you should be careful when determining your amount. Avoid water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins wherever possible. Since water-soluble vitamins can irritate digestive tracts, while fat-soluble vitamins can lead to fat deposition in the liver and body. This can impair the growth of the infant, hence it is preferable to consume Vitamins from natural sources.
Dietary Sources Of Nitrate
Avoid consuming nitrate-rich foods including bacon, sausages, hot dogs, and salami. Nitrate enhances the colour of food, but when taken, it transforms into nitrosamines, which increase the risk of birth defects.
Synthetic Sweeteners
They include saccharin and aspartame, which are unsafe for pregnant women. They may result in phenylketonuria and other birth abnormalities. You should incorporate natural sugars in moderation.
Natural Teas
Some herbal teas include fenugreek, Echinacea, horsetail, black walnut, and licorice root, among others. Some herbs are dangerous and difficult to consume, so you should avoid drinking herbal tea during pregnancy. Every day you can consume a hot cup of chai.
Unpasteurized Fruit Juices
The packaged juices are hazardous because they contain salmonella and E. coli bacteria. It is preferable to create juice at home with freshly washed fruits and a more nutritious method.
Caffeine
High-caffeine beverages can raise both the chance of miscarriage and the birth weight of the infant. Coffee, energy drinks, alcohol, and diet soda should be avoided at this time. Researchers have shown that caffeine can contribute to preterm births.
Eggs That Are Not Cooked
Eggs that are undercooked, uncooked, or even soft-boiled should be avoided by expectant mothers because they contain salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning. It can cause severe vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, etc., which weakens the baby’s immunity and has detrimental effects on the infant. Consider eating hard-boiled eggs or omelettes that have been overcooked, as they are more nutritious.
Prepared Meats
Also known as Deli meats, such as hot dogs and salami, sandwich meat should be avoided since it contains listeria. These germs can cause severe placental problems and possibly foetal mortality. If you intend to consume them, they should be properly prepared and scalding hot.
Cream Cheese
Try to avoid cheese like feta, blue cheese, panela, gorgonzola, brie, etc. The majority of these soft cheeses are unpasteurized and contain listeria, which is harmful to developing foetuses. Instead, consume hard cheeses such as cheddar or Swiss, which are safe to consume.
Raw Seedlings
Raw sprouts such as mung bean, radish, sunflower, soybean, onion, and broccoli should not be consumed. Salmonella, listeria, and E. coli can cause miscarriage, illness in the foetus, and even premature birth. Try to ingest cooked sprouts instead.
Salads Prepared In Restaurant
Do not consume premade salads with fish or Caesar salad dressing. These salads may also contain mayonnaise produced from uncooked eggs and are rich in both sugar and salt. The listeria and salmonella found in uncooked leafy vegetables can cause food poisoning. Make an effort to prepare salads at home, which is safer, and wash them well.
Canned Meals
They include soda, spaghetti, soup, and tuna, among others, as Bisphenol A, which is found in container linings, is a hazardous chemical. This can impair the fetus’s endocrine function and lead to fertility and liver problems. It also contributes to the development of cardiac disease in pregnant women. Occasionally, these meals are quite stale and packed of hazardous bacteria. Avoid canned tuna because it contains high levels of mercury, which is toxic to both the mother and the baby. Consider carefully before selecting any tinned food.
Raw Milk
Raw or unpasteurized milk should not be consumed during pregnancy. Raw milk includes substances that might cause foodborne illnesses. Unpasteurized milk contains harmful microorganisms for the foetus, including listeria, E. coli, cryptosporidium, and salmonella. Milk should be boiled at a high temperature to kill any microorganisms present. Use dairy-free alternatives such as rice milk, soy milk, and almond milk, which are nutrient-rich and harmless.
Uncooked shellfish
It is preferable to avoid eating raw shellfish such as clams, mussels, and oysters. These mussels can cause seafood-borne sickness and may also carry a virus, poisons, and bacteria that are hazardous.
Mercury Loaded Fish
Fish with high mercury levels, such as swordfish, shark, and king mackerel, must not be consumed. It is an element present in lakes, oceans, and streams. When ingested by humans, it is transformed into methylmercury, a neurotoxic that causes brain damage and retarded foetal development.
High in Sugar Foods
Avoid consuming high-sugar foods such as ice cream, cakes, and candy. In addition to causing pregnant discomfort such as vomiting, nausea, and heartburn, this can also contribute to gestational diabetes. It can also raise the likelihood that the foetus will develop metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is believed to be a difficult task, but every mother must be resilient. They must all maintain good health and eat well to ensure the health of their unborn child, as they are the only source of nutrients for the foetus. Importantly, there are certain foods and behaviors that can be harmful to the infant and must be avoided. All of the information regarding food habits that they should avoid is presented here.
Related-
GET IN TOUCH
