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In addition to foods that increase your risk of infection, such
as raw or undercooked meat or fish, you should also minimize your intake of
processed foods and caffeine during pregnancy.
In order to nurture your unborn kid and yourself during
pregnancy, eating a healthy diet is crucial. Some of your favorite foods, like
sushi, coffee, or rare steak, could have to go.
Fortunately, there are lots of healthful things you can consume
while pregnant.
These are fifteen items and drinks you should limit or stay away
from when pregnant.
1.
Fish with elevated
mercury levels
Polluted waters can contain high levels of mercury, an extremely
deadly metal.
It can impact your kidneys, immunological system, and brain
system in greater doses. Even in smaller doses, it can have negative effects on
children's development and lead to major developmental difficulties (Trusted
Source)(1).
It is advisable to stay away from large marine fish when
pregnant or nursing since they can collect high levels of mercury.
Avoid eating fish high in mercury, such as:
·
King
mackerel
·
swordfish
·
shark
·
and
tuna( particularly bigeye tuna)
·
marlin
·
orange
roughy
·
tilefish
from the Gulf of Mexico
2.
Raw or underdone fish
Bacteria and parasites like norovirus, Vibrio, Salmonella, and Listeria are frequently found in raw fish, particularly in shellfish.
Mishandling, storage, and processing (such as smoking or drying) raw fish can result in infection.
Some infections can even travel via the placenta to your kid even if you don't have any symptoms. These infections might cause dehydration and weakness in the parents. As stated by the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC)Trusted Source, they can raise the chance of stillbirth, pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, and other major health issues(2).
Listeria infections can occur up to ten times more frequently
during pregnancy than they do outside of it, according to the CDC.
3.
Raw or undercooked meat
3. Raw or undercooked meat
Consuming raw or undercooked meat might also raise your chanceof contracting parasitic or bacterial infections, such as Salmonella, E. Coli,
Toxoplasma, and Listeria (3).
Bacteria may pose a risk to your child's health and safety as
well as your own.
While some germs may remain within the muscle fibers, the
majority of bacteria are found on the surface of entire chunks of flesh.
When not fully cooked, certain complete pieces of meat, such as
tenderloins, sirloins, or ribeye from cattle, lamb, and veal, may be safe to
eat. This is only applicable, though, if the meat is whole or uncut and fully
cooked outside. It is advised to stay away from undercooked meat when pregnant.
It is never safe to consume cut meat that is undercooked or
uncooked, including beef patties, burgers, minced meat, and chicken.
4. Deli and processed meat
Infected meats include pepperoni, deli meat, hot dogs, and lunch
meat.During processing or storage, a reliable source contains a variety of
microbes. Because they are not cooked, cured meats could contain bacteria or
parasites(4).
Furthermore, processed meats may be heavy in harmful fats and
sodium.
Steer clear of deli meats and make sure any processed meats you
cook—like sausages—are thoroughly cooked.
5. Uncooked eggs
Salmonella bacteria can be present in raw eggs (5).
A salmonella infection can cause fever, vomiting, nausea,
cramping in the stomach, and diarrhea. Additionally, it can result in uterine
cramping, which could induce a stillbirth or premature birth.
Raw eggs are frequently seen in the following foods:
·
eggs
with a light scrambling
·
Tiramisu
uncooked batter
·
Mayonnaise
made at home
·
hollandaise
sauce
·
a few
homemade vinaigrettes
·
handmade
ice cream
·
and egg
nog
·
A few
homemade cake
·
frosting
eggs Benedict
The majority of commercial items that use raw eggs are safe to
eat since they are manufactured with pasteurized eggs. But to be sure, always
check the label.
Always make sure you use pasteurized eggs or cook them
completely.
Since pasteurized eggs are used in the majority of commercial
goods utilizing raw eggs, they are safe to eat. To be sure, though, always
check the label.
Use pasteurized eggs or ensure that eggs are cooked all the way
through.
6. Meat from organs
A variety of vital elements, including iron, copper, zinc,
selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin B12, are found in organ meats and are
beneficial to both you and your unborn child.
On the other hand, taking excessive amounts of preformed vitamin
A during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, might result in
birth defects and miscarriage.
It is preferable to consume only a few ounces of meats per week,
such as liver or kidney, even if this is largely linked to vitamin A
supplementsTrusted Source (6).
7. Uncooked sprouts
Alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts are among the
often used raw sprouts in salads.
But the damp atmosphere that the seeds require to begin
sprouting is perfect for Salmonella growth, and it is nearly impossible to
remove.
Because of this, it's advisable to stay away from raw sprouts
completely, while the FDA (7) Trusted Source states that cooked sprouts are safe to
eat.
8.
Unwashed fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables that haven't been cleaned or peeled may
have bacteria and parasites including Toxoplasma, E. Coli, Salmonella, and
Listeria on their surface. These may be derived from handling or the soil.
Any stage of the process—production, harvesting, processing,
storage, transit, or retail—can experience contamination.
A parasite called toxoplasma can survive on plant-based diets.
The majority of people don't show any symptoms, but the parasite can pass
through the placenta and result in learning disabilities and eyesight
impairments in later life. Severe brain or eye impairment can sometimes be
evident from birth(8).
Carefully wash all fruits and vegetables in clean water, peel
them, or boil them before consuming to reduce the chance of illness.
9. Dairy goods without preservatives
Bacteria such as Salmonella, E. Coli, Campylobacter, and
Listeria can be found in raw milk and other unpasteurized dairy products
(Trusted Source). A variety of illnesses known as food poisoning can be brought
on by these bacteria(9).
All of these infections have the potential to be fatal for an
unborn child.
Either naturally occurring or as a result of contamination
during collection or storage, the bacteria may arise. Any dangerous germs can
be eliminated by pasteurization without affecting the food' nutritious content.
Eat only pasteurized dairy products to lower your chance of
infection.
10. Soft cheeses
Listeria is a form of bacteria that can cause serious illness
and even pregnancy loss. Some soft cheeses contain this type of bacteria(10).
Queso fresco, queso blanco, blando, panela, and ranchero are a
few examples.
Eat soft cheeses only that bear the pasteurization indication.
Which cheeses are appropriate to consume when expecting?
11. Foods that have been processed
Foods that have undergone extensive processing usually have low
nutritional value and high calorie, sugar, and added fat content, which can
lead to weight gain(10).
You must consume enough protein, folate, choline, and iron when
you are pregnant.
Additionally, while gaining some weight is beneficial, gaining
too much weight can raise the dangerReliable Source for information on
childhood obesity and delivery issues(11).
Continue eating meals and snacks that are high in protein,
fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and carbohydrates high in fiber, such as
those found in whole grains, beans, and starchy vegetables.
Discover some fresh approaches to include vegetables in your
meals without compromising flavor.
12. A few fruit smoothies and liquids
Fruit juices can be helpful if you choose pasteurized ones
without any added sugar while you're pregnant.
Raw juices, such as those squeezed at market stalls, could be
contaminated with dangerous microorganisms (Trusted Source). If you're in a
restaurant, make sure to inquire about the ingredients beforehand as smoothies
could also contain unpasteurized juice(12).
13. Alcohol
Alcohol raises the risk of pregnancyReliable Source for stillbirths,
pregnancy loss, and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The heart and brain are only
two of the many areas of development that FAS can impact(13).
It's advisable to abstain from alcohol completely during
pregnancy because there is no known safe amount to consume.
14. Caffeine
Caffeine can be found in tea, coffee, soft drinks, and
chocolate.
Excessive caffeine use has been associated in studies with low
birth weight, stillbirth, pregnancy loss, and a host of developmental problems.
Coffee enters the body rapidly and is readily absorbed via the
placenta. Caffeine can accumulate to high amounts because newborns and their
placentas lack the primary enzyme needed to digest the stimulant.
During pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG) advises avoiding caffeine consumption of more than 200
milligrams (mg) per day(14).
15. Drinking water tainted
To prevent dehydration during pregnancy, it's imperative to
consume a lot of water.
While the majority of tap water in the US is safe to consume
(Trusted Source), pollutants in dirty or contaminated water might be harmful to
you or your unborn child. The Environmental Protection Agency does not test
water from private wells, thus this could harm you if you use it(15).
If you are worried about the quality of your water, get in touch
with your local environmental agency or health authority.
Frequently requested inquiries
Which foods are not recommended during the first trimester?
Foods that increase your risk of infection, include ingredients that could be harmful to your unborn child, or are not good for your general health are all things you should stay away from. These include of undercooked or raw fish or meat, raw eggs, sprouts, mercury-containing fish, and highly processed foods.
Which foods pose a high danger during pregnancy?
Pregnant women should try to stay away from processed meats
because they can get infected with different germs during the manufacturing or
storage. They might also have additives and excessive sodium content, neither
of which are good for your health.
Is it safe to eat grapes whilst expecting?
Indeed, grapes are safe to eat while pregnant. All fruits are
good for you during pregnancy and offer necessary nutrients. But it's advisable
to stay away from fruits that haven't been cleaned and those that might have
come into touch with other pollutants or tainted water.
Is eating mozzarella okay whilst expecting?
Yes, eating mozzarella while pregnant is safe. Hard cheeses like
Parmesan or cheddar, pasteurized cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, or
feta, and any cheese that has been heated to a high temperature are also
acceptable to consume.
Bottom line
It is crucial to abstain
from foods and drinks that could endanger both you and your unborn child while
you are pregnant.
While the majority of foods are safe to eat, it's recommended to stay away from things like alcohol, raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, and fish with high mercury content. Additionally, since processed foods can include high levels of added sugar, salt, and bad fats, it is better to restrict your intake of these.
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