Pregnancy is one of the most delightful periods in a woman’s life. Now that the mother is eating for her baby too, there should be careful monitoring of food intake. Certain food groups can affect the growth and wellness of the baby. Along with eating wholesome foods, it is also necessary to know what not to eat as well.
Why should you avoid certain foods during pregnancy?
Pregnant women have a high chance of getting infected by the bacteria called “Listeria” or others like “Salmonella”. The former bacteria can drastically affect the health of the mother as well as the baby. The latter has the ability to cause food poisoning in moms. Hormonal changes in the mom’s body lower the kids’ immune systems, which makes them more prone to diseases and infections. This can result in premature delivery or miscarriage of the pregnancy. The baby can also develop infections and birth deformities.
This write-up is to enlighten all the moms about the foods to avoid during pregnancy and encourage them to take that extra caution and have a safe and sound journey through pregnancy. If you need any further information, visit KJK Hospital, one of the leading fertility clinics in Kerala.
Foods to avoid during pregnancy
At KJK Hospital, we always suggest the best prenatal nutrition for our patients. We recommend what’s best for your baby. Now, we are about to give you some advice on what foods to avoid during pregnancy. So, be ready to understand some pregnancy nutrition basics.
Avoid seafood high in mercury
Fishes are a rich source of protein and omega-three fatty acids. Omega-three fatty acids and protein help in the brain and eye development of the baby. Some fishes have a high content of mercury, which will affect the nervous system of the baby. They can have adverse effects even when in small amounts.
The following fish are high in mercury:
- Sharks
- Swordfish
- King Mackerel
- Tuna
- Marlin
- Orange Roughy
Fishes on the list that can be eaten have to be cooked properly before consumption.
Avoid raw, undercooked, or contaminated seafood, and meat
A fan of Japanese food? Then you are up for some disappointment. During pregnancy, uncooked or raw fish or meat delicacies are off-limits. Raw meat or fish has a high amount of bacteria and viruses. The consumption of such food poses a high risk as there are chances of the mother ingesting parasites and bacteria through eating such food.
Cooking meat thoroughly with no trace of pink or red is compulsory. It is ideal for the soon-to-be-moms to refrain from eating medium-rare meat dishes. Undercooked meat can cause food poisoning, which can affect the baby’s growth.
Avoid unpasteurized foods
Low-fat dairy products are always a mother’s best friend. They can eat a good amount of skimmed milk, mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, etc. Any product made from unpasteurized milk is a big NO. Consumption of milk that has gone through the process of being ultra heat-treated is ideal only for pregnant women. It is safe for moms to stick with hard cheeses like Swiss or cheddar cheese. Hard cheeses have very little water content, which makes them not so favourite grounds for breeding bacteria.
Unpasteurized juices are also to be avoided. Juices that have been treated with UV radiation can be a fair choice.
Avoid excessive caffeine
Caffeine intake is a necessary vile in this fast-paced life. It is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome. But during the pregnancy period, it is a prerequisite to control the intake of caffeine. The doctors suggest a limit of no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine ingestion every day. Caffeine prevents the body from absorbing iron, which will weaken the body and may cause anaemia. Pregnant women should also stop taking fizzy, aerated drinks. Some energy drinks can have an obvious share of caffeine in them.
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol is one of the first and foremost things that the doctor asks you to cut off from your eating habits. Alcohol has the ability to enter the bloodstream of the baby just like how it enters the mother’s body. Alcohol consumption can increase the chances of miscarriage and stillbirth. It can also cause facial deformities and other disabilities. There’s no safe level for alcohol intake.
Processed junk foods
Fast foods or junk foods have no nutritional value in them. But they are high in sodium, added sugars, and calories. Pregnancy is the right time to enrich your diet with nutrient-dense foods. Having wholesome food helps in the growth and development of the baby and also provides strength to the mother. Excess weight gain during pregnancy can result in unwanted diseases and complications. Gestational diabetes is one such common risk that can cause birth complications.
Raw sprouts
Raw sprouts are synonymous with E-Coli and Salmonella bacteria. Think twice before adding bean sprouts to your regular diet. Humid environments are ideal for the growth of sprouts, which thereby become the exact temperature for the growth of salmonella; it is impossible to wash them off. Sprouts are safe to consume after they are cooked thoroughly.
Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
The produce has to be washed vigorously under running water. Unclean produce can be breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. If there is dirt on the vegetable or fruit, clean it thoroughly. Scrape off or cut off the area where it looks damaged.
Here is the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy. The pregnancy period can be a very challenging time for all women. The constant reminders to do this and that can be stressful. Introducing mindful eating and contacting the doctor with relevant questions can help to calm your nerves throughout the process. Taking extra care of the food you eat will help you avoid the complications related to pregnancy.
KJK Hospital is one of the reputed maternity hospitals in Trivandrum that deals with maternity and fertility-related concerns of people across the state. KJK Hospital has a specialist team of doctors and highly-skilled medical professionals to give the complete cure for your gynaecological issues. We provide 24×7 care and attention to our patients, offering the best services in gynaecology, neonatology, foetal medicine, etc. Feel free to contact us for your queries.
