Here are 15 foods you should avoid eating during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a very delicate period in a woman’s life. Although most foods are safe for the woman during pregnancy, some foods should be avoided to avoid complications in the baby and the mother. It is therefore recommended to pay attention to what you consume during pregnancy. Here is a list of foods that you should avoid during pregnancy.
1) Raw fish
Raw fish, especially crustaceans, can cause several infections. These include Norovirus, Vibriosis, Salmonella, Listeria and parasites. Some of these infections only affect the mother, leaving her dehydrated and weak. Other infections can be transmitted to the baby with serious or even fatal consequences.
2) Raw and processed meat
Eating uncooked or raw meat increases the risk of infection of many bacteria or parasites. These include Toxoplasma, Escherichia coli bacteria, Listeria and Salmonella. Bacteria can threaten the baby’s health, possibly leading to a stillbirth or severe neurological disease, including mental retardation, blindness and epilepsy.
3) Raw eggs
Raw eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella. The symptoms of Salmonella infections are usually only observed by the mother. They include fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea. However, in rare cases, the infection can cause cramps in the uterus, resulting in premature birth or a stillbirth.
4) Organ meat
Organ meat is an excellent source of nutrients. These include iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A and copper, all good for a pregnant mother and her child. However, eating too much vitamin A (preformed vitamin A) is not recommended during pregnancy.
5) Caffeine
Caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive substance in the world and is found mainly in coffee, tea, soft drinks and cocoa. Pregnant women are generally advised to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day, or about 2-3 cups of coffee. Caffeine is absorbed very quickly and easily passes into the placenta and fetus.
6) Non-pasteurized milk, cheese and fruit juices
Raw milk and unpasteurized cheese may contain a variety of harmful bacteria, including Listeria, Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Campylobacter. The same goes for unpasteurized juice, which is also prone to bacterial infections. These infections can all have potentially life-threatening consequences for an unborn baby.
7) Alcohol
Pregnant women are advised to completely avoid alcohol as this increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Even a small amount can have a negative impact on your baby’s brain development. It can also cause fetal alcohol syndrome. This syndrome involves facial deformities, heart defects and mental retardation
8) Smoked seafood:
Do not take smoked and chilled seafood, which is labeled because it contains Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. This bacteria causes listeriosis (associated with symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting) that could lead to illness in the newborn and even miscarriage or death.
In addition, processed seafood contains high levels of salt that can lead to increased blood pressure and swelling of body parts
9) Deli meats:
You should avoid deli meats, also known as ready-to-eat meats, such as sandwich meats, deli meats, lunch meats, hot dogs and sliced meats. They are known to contain listeria bacteria, which can easily pass from the mother to the placenta, causing serious complications, including fetal death.
10) Unwashed fruits and vegetables
Unwashed fruits and vegetables carry a Toxoplasma parasite that impairs the baby’s development. Toxoplasmosis contaminates the soil where fruits and vegetables are grown and you can ingest these harmful microbes if you eat them without washing your hands.
11) Some fruits and vegetables:
The fruits below should be avoided during pregnancy:
- Papaya (rich in latex that could lead to uterine contractions).
- Black grapes (build heat in the body that can harm the baby’s health).
- Pineapple (rich in bromelain that could soften the cervix leading to early work).
The vegetables below should be avoided during pregnancy:
- Cabbage and lettuce (are known to carry food-borne diseases).
- Eggplant (for its property to stimulate the rules that can lead to miscarriage).
12) Canned Foods:
Canned foods, including fruits, vegetables and sodas, are harmful for two reasons;
- Cans lining contains Bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic substance that affects the endocrine activity of the fetus and causes fertility problems, cancer, liver disease and heart disease in pregnant women and foods that are ingested. can be too old to be eaten and can harbor harmful bacteria because of their long shelf life.
- Canned pasta, soup and infant formula contain high levels of BPA. In addition, tuna salads and canned tuna contain high levels of mercury that are toxic to the mother and fetus
13) Nitrate rich foods :
- Avoid sandwich meats, bacon, cold cuts, sausages salamis and hot dogs because they contain nitrates
- Nitrate improves the color of food and shelf life. But at the level of consumption, nitrates turn to nitrosamines in the body, increasing the chances of cancer in mothers and abnormalities in the fetus. Nitrate-rich foods also contain sodium and saturated fats that pose a risk during pregnancy
14) Artificial sweeteners:
The safety of artificial sweeteners, including aspartame and saccharin, is controversial, as some health practitioners believe they are safe if used in moderate amounts while others are not safe. disagree. You should avoid aspartame if you have a Phenylketonuria (PKU) genetic disorder. Your body can not digest phenylalanine (a compound found in aspartame), which can lead to birth defects. Saccharin is known to stay in fetal tissue and shows no evidence of risk.
15) Leftover food :
Stay away from hot or cold foods that have been at room temperature for more than two hours. They are likely to harbor bacteria.
Solution: Eat freshly cooked foods. If necessary, store the leftovers in the refrigerator and warm carefully (up to 165 ° F) in clean utensils.
Warning : Before including or avoiding any of the foods listed above, consult your gynecologist or doctor.
