There are many foods to avoid during pregnancy. Some are obvious, such as alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes. Others may not be as well known, such as artificial sweeteners and MSG.
It’s important to understand what foods are safe and unsafe to eat while pregnant. This way, you can enjoy delicious food without worrying about harming your baby.
In this article, we look at the list of foods to avoid while pregnant.
Avoid Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says washing fresh produce isn’t necessary unless you plan to prepare it. You don’t want to wash raw fruits and vegetables because bacteria can grow on them even when they are still alive. Salmonella germs live on lettuce and tomatoes, among others.
Washing fresh produce isn’t just about preventing food poisoning. Washing fruit and veggies help prevent disease. When you wash fresh produce, you kill off harmful bacteria and make sure there aren’t any bugs left behind. If you do decide to wash your fruits and veggies, use cold water and soap. Rinse well.
Avoid Excess Caffeine
Caffeine is often recommended to pregnant women, especially those suffering from morning sickness. But some research suggests that excessive coffee consumption during pregnancy might actually increase the risk of preterm delivery. A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women who drank three or more cups of caffeinated beverages each day had a 60% increased chance of delivering prematurely compared to women who consumed no caffeine at all. In addition, researchers found that caffeine intake was associated with an even greater risk of premature labor among African American women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one out of every 10 babies born in the United States is delivered early, usually before 37 weeks gestation. Premature births are linked to conditions such as low birth weight, cerebral palsy, respiratory distress syndrome, and jaundice.
The CDC recommends limiting caffeine intake to 200 milligrams per day for most healthy adults. However, pregnant women should limit their daily caffeine intake to 300 mg, while nursing mothers should stick to 400 mg. Experts recommend avoiding caffeine entirely if you experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headaches, or insomnia. If you do consume caffeine, try cutting down to one cup of coffee per day.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is harmful to both mother and child. Alcohol affects fetal development and increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and other complications. Women who drink alcohol while pregnant are also more likely to experience depression and anxiety after giving birth.
It’s recommended that women abstain from drinking alcohol altogether during pregnancy. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can lead to problems.
Unpasteurized Foods
Unpasteurized food refers to anything that hasn’t gone through the processing required to kill harmful bacteria. Unpasteurized milk, cheese, yogurt, kefir, raw eggs, unpasteurized juice, and other products are considered unprocessed foods.
While pasteurization kills off dangerous microorganisms, it does nothing to prevent illness caused by harmful pathogens. These pathogens can still exist in unprocessed foods, and pregnant women shouldn’t consume them.
Some experts recommend avoiding unpasteurized dairy products altogether, while others say that consuming them is safe. Either way, it’s important to remember that unpasteurized dairy products aren’t regulated by the FDA, so you might end up with a surprise after eating them.
It’s also worth noting that unpasteurized juices and drinks are especially risky because they contain no preservatives. While unpasteurized juices and smoothies are usually fine, raw fruit juices and kombucha teas could carry diseases like E. coli and salmonella.
Undercooked Meat, Poultry, and Eggs
Food poisoning during pregnancy is very serious. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, it is important to avoid certain foods. These include raw or undercooked meat, poultry or seafood; unpasteurized milk products; and food contaminated with fecal matter. This includes items such as shellfish, ground beef, unpasteurized cheese, unpasteurized fruit juices, and sprouts.
These foods can cause an illness called toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite found in cats and wild animals. When people come into contact with cat feces, they can become infected. Infected women can pass the infection to their unborn babies. Pregnant women should take special precautions to prevent getting sick. They should wash hands often, especially after handling raw meat or unwashed fruits and vegetables. Women should also wear gloves while preparing food.
Cooking meats thoroughly will help ensure safe eating habits. Cook chicken, pork, lamb, steak, fish and shellfish to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. To cook beef, veal or lamb, place steaks or chops in a shallow pan and cover tightly. Heat over medium heat for about 10 minutes per pound. Do not overcook meat because cooking longer than recommended could make it tough.
Don’t eat anything that’s sat out for too long. Foods like sandwiches, salads and pizza can sit out for hours without being refrigerated. Make sure you reheat leftovers promptly. Leftover cooked foods should be stored in the refrigerator within 2 days.
Raw eggs
Eggs are a staple food item for pregnant women, but raw eggs contain salmonella bacteria that could pose a risk to both mother and baby. Raw egg consumption during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature labor, low birth weight babies, and other complications.
It’s recommended that pregnant women limit their intake of raw eggs to no more than two servings per week. While the FDA says that consuming raw eggs poses minimal health risks, experts recommend that pregnant women consult with their doctor before eating raw eggs.
To prevent illness, pregnant women should always wash their hands thoroughly after handling raw eggs. Also, pregnant women who consume raw eggs should cook them thoroughly before serving.
Processed Meat and Deli Meats
Processed meats such as hot dogs, luncheon meats, ham, bacon, sausage, pepperoni, salami, bologna, corned beef, turkey, chicken, and ground beef pose a significant health threat because they harbor dangerous pathogens. These pathogens include E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella dysenteriae type 1, Campylobacter jejuni, Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Clostridium botulinum toxin types A and B, Bacillus anthracis, Brucella melitensis, and Leptospira interrogans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises consumers to cook meat well enough to kill germs and prevent foodborne illness. Cooking meat reduces the number of pathogenic organisms present by about 99%. However, it does not eliminate all pathogens. To reduce the chance of getting sick, you should follow these guidelines:
• Cook meat thoroughly. Use a thermometer to ensure internal temperatures reach 165°F (74°C).
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
• Wash hands and surfaces after handling raw meat.
• Do not eat uncooked meat or drink unpasteurized milk or juice.
Undercooked or Raw Fish
Fish is a healthy food choice for pregnant women, but eating undercooked fish could lead to problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, consuming raw or undercooked seafood increases the risk of bacterial infections. These bacteria can enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin. Once inside, they can travel into other parts of the body, including the bloodstream.
This can lead to conditions like sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by infection. Sepsis occurs when harmful microorganisms invade the bloodstream, causing inflammation and damage to organs.
It’s important to remember that while certain types of fish are safe to eat, others aren’t. Make sure to always cook fish thoroughly before serving it to your family.
Organ meat
Organ meats are often overlooked as part of a healthy diet, but they’re packed with nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin A. They’re also rich in protein and low in fat.
But eating too much-preformed vitamin A can cause miscarriages or even birth defects. Plus, it’s easy to overdo it on organ meats because they’re high in calories. Eat them in moderation.
Raw Sprouts
Raw sprouts are a healthy food option for pregnant women who want to eat organic, nutritious foods. Raw sprouts are easy to prepare and add variety to meals. Sprouting seeds allows them to grow into larger vegetables that contain more nutrients than their raw counterparts.
Sprouted grains are especially beneficial because they provide protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other health benefits. Some of the best sprout varieties include alfalfa, broccoli, lentils, mung beans, radish, sunflower, wheat, and others.
While eating raw sprouts is a healthy choice, you should always wash them thoroughly before consuming them. Washing removes dirt and debris that could potentially harm your baby. Also, make sure to choose organic sprouts whenever possible. Organic sprouts are grown without pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms.
Processed Food
Eating processed junk foods will hinder you from having a healthy pregnancy. They contain unhealthy fats like trans fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar. These ingredients increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and even cancer. Some studies show that eating too much junk food during pregnancy might affect fetal development.
Energy Drinks
There are plenty of energy drinks available today, and while some contain caffeine, others contain ingredients that aren’t safe for pregnant women. While pregnant women shouldn’t consume alcohol, coffee, tea, colas, and other caffeinated beverages, they should still drink water and eat healthy food.
While it’s true that energy drinks can provide temporary boosts of energy, they also pose health risks. Some of the ingredients found in energy drinks can lead to seizures, heart problems, and birth defects. So if you’re pregnant, it’s best to steer clear of energy drinks altogether.
Soft Cheese
Soft cheeses like mozzarella, feta, cottage cheese, ricotta, and cream cheese contain lactose, which is found naturally in milk. Lactose intolerance occurs when someone cannot digest lactose properly. Some people who are lactose intolerant experience symptoms including stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and headaches.
Lactose intolerance is common among pregnant women, especially during the second trimester. While the majority of women tolerate lactose just fine, others may develop symptoms. Symptoms usually begin within two days after eating dairy products containing lactose.
To avoid experiencing uncomfortable side effects, try avoiding soft cheeses altogether. Instead, opt for harder cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, provolone, and Parmesan. These types of cheeses tend to be less likely to trigger symptoms.
Tuna
During pregnancy, it’s especially important to eat healthy food choices. Tuna is considered a safe fish choice, but pregnant women shouldn’t consume tuna due to mercury levels. Mercury is a neurotoxin that can harm unborn babies.
Mercury is found naturally in the environment, but it can build up in our bodies over time. Eating seafood regularly increases the amount of mercury in our system. When pregnant women eat large amounts of fish, they put themselves at risk of developing methylmercury poisoning. Methylmercury damages the brain and nervous system of fetuses and newborns.
It’s recommended that pregnant women limit their intake of fish to no more than 12 ounces per week. Pregnant women who choose to eat fish should look for canned light tuna instead of albacore tuna. Canned light tuna contains less than 10 milligrams of mercury per serving. Albacore tuna contains approximately 20 milligrams of mercury.
Other types of fish that contain high levels of mercury include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and marlin. Women who are concerned about eating fish while pregnant should talk to their doctor about other options. Some alternatives include white meat chicken, salmon, cod, pollock, catfish, and tilapia.
Peanuts
Peanuts are a common food item found in many grocery stores. However, peanuts aren’t recommended for pregnant women due to the risk of developing a peanut allergy.
According to WebMD, “Allergic reactions to peanuts can happen within minutes after eating them,” and symptoms can range from mild itching to severe hives. Peanut allergies can also lead to other health problems, including asthma and eczema.
While peanuts aren’t necessarily bad for you, they shouldn’t be consumed while pregnant. Instead, try to eat healthier alternatives like almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts. These nuts contain similar nutrients to peanuts, but they’re less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
Licorice
Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which is toxic to pregnant women. Licorice is found in licorice candies, candy bars, gum, mints, chewing gums, and other products. Glycyrrhizin is also used in medications to treat diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Glycyrrhizin can pass into breast milk and affect infants who consume it. Babies who ingest large amounts of licorice may experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration.
It’s important to remember that while licorice is dangerous to pregnant women, it’s safe for non-pregnant adults. So if you’re craving sweets, just eat a piece of chocolate instead.
In conclusion, pregnancy is a wonderful time for women to focus on their physical appearance. However, it’s important to keep in mind that certain foods aren’t safe during pregnancy. For example, alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco are all bad news for pregnant women. So, if you want to look your best during this exciting time, avoid these three substances.
Of course, there are plenty of delicious foods that are perfectly fine to consume during pregnancy. In fact, there are actually quite a few foods that are considered essential to a woman’s diet during her entire pregnancy. These include fruits like apples, bananas, and pears; vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and spinach; and proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, and lean meats. So, if you’re looking to nourish yourself and your baby throughout your pregnancy, you’re in luck!
The bottom line is that there really isn’t anything wrong with consuming food that tastes good. But if you’re going to indulge in something sweet, choose a healthier option instead of ice cream or cake. That way, you won’t end up gaining too much weight, which can lead to complications later on.
Source: CDC