Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Being an expectant mother is difficult. There are so many changes in your body that you don’t know how to adapt to the changes. There are also so many things that you are not allowed to do and eat. All of these things are for the safety of your unborn child. 

It can be difficult to remove most food in your diet, but anything that you can consume that can pose a threat to your child should be avoided. There are certain food and drinks that you need to avoid. There are also foods that you can consume more. 

To help you have a healthy pregnancy, here are some foods that you need to avoid and why. These foods have been proven to be dangerous for consumption during pregnancy.

Foods to Avoid Druing Pregnancy

Certain Seafood

Fish that contain any mercury is dangerous during pregnancy. 

Consuming this can cause developmental delays and brain damage to your child. It is advised to avoid any type of seafood that can contain high levels of mercury. A few examples are tilefish, swordfish, king mackerel and shark. 

Fish that contain low levels of mercury can be consumed, but taken in moderation. Seafood that is also smoked (jerky, kippered or lox) should be avoided. This can contain the bacteria Listeria.  

If you are planning to consume fish, make sure that it is clean, properly cooked and came from clean environment. Some seafood that is safe during pregnancy is shrimp and salmon.

Undercooked Eggs

Eggs are generally good for your health if consumed right. 

If you are someone that prefers runny eggs, then it is best to stay off it during pregnancy. Runny eggs, undercooked eggs or raw eggs should not be consumed by pregnant people. 

Raw eggs can be tainted with the bacteria salmonella. This can cause vomiting and diarrhea that can be dangerous to you and your unborn child. Recipes that contain raw eggs should also be avoided. Desserts such as cakes, chocolate mousse, mayonnaise or anything that does not cook the egg in the recipe should be avoided.

 

If you really want to consume eggs, make sure that the yolk is completely firm when cooking. This also goes when doing scrambled eggs. Do not remove it from the pan until it is cooked completely.

Nuts

Nuts are a great snack during pregnancy since it contains healthy ingredients.  

However, you should be discreet when consuming nuts when you are pregnant. Macadamia nuts, pistachios, pecans, chestnuts, cashews, peanuts, walnuts and hazelnuts can be dangerous to pregnant women. These nuts can cause allergies that can cause skin rashes to swelling of some body parts.

 

Even if you do not have any peanut allergy, it is better to be safe. Consult your doctor on which type of nuts you can consume that is safe for your pregnancy.

Undercooked Produce

Any produce such as meat and poultry should never be consumed uncooked when pregnant. Uncooked produce can be tainted with bacteria that can affect your unborn child. 

Meat should be completely cooked inside and out before consumption. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can be present in raw produce. This parasite can cause food poisoning that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fetal damage and miscarriages. Make sure to wash produce completely and cook thoroughly.

 

It’s best to consume meat that is cooked at home to guarantee that it is prepared and cooked properly.

Canned Foods

Canned food was never really deemed as healthy food. Consuming them during pregnancy is a big no-no. 

Canned foods are designed to last longer. Most of them contain BPA that can affect the endocrine activity of your child. Canned foods that are also stored for long periods are prone to bacteria. It is best to opt for fresh fish, poultry, fruits, meat and vegetable. It is best to go fresh during pregnancy.

Opt for foods that are in the season to prevent consuming harmful chemicals. In season food also contain more nutrients and is a lot cheaper.

Pregnancy's Diet

An important thing to keep in mind is to talk to your doctor first. Any sudden changes in your diet should be consulted with your health care provider. 

It is important that you follow a nutrition plan and diet that your doctor has approved on. Pregnancy can be a bittersweet journey. We want to make these next few months safe and healthy for you and your baby. Trust your instincts when it comes to your body. If a certain food affects your body, consult your doctor about them. 

We hope that this list was able to help you somehow. Share with us your thoughts and other foods that should be avoided during pregnancy.