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During pregnancy there are various reasons to be extra careful about what you eat – it is important to know which foods are safe to eat and which you need to avoid. Some foods contain toxins which could lead to defects in your unborn baby, others contain food-borne bacteria which could weaken your immune system and cause damage to the foetus. Make sure most foods you eat are cooked and when choosing a recipe be selective about what you eat to protect your baby against harmful bacteria and damage while it’s still developing.
Another important point to remember when selecting what to eat is the nutritional value of the food you are feeding your baby. Getting enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet while pregnant such as folic acid, iron, vitamin C and vitamin A to name a few, are crucial for proper development of your baby.
There are many foods to avoid when pregnant, most doctors will advise pregnant women to stay away from certain fish, raw meats, raw eggs, soft cheeses, sprouts, pate, unwashed vegetables, and many more foods discussed below.
Fish
Certain fish such as Bluefish, Grouper (Kalava in Malayali), Sea Bass (Asian seabass is bhekti), Tuna (Canned Albacore, Yellowfin) contain high amounts of mercury that is accumulated in their fatty tissue – pregnant women should avoid eating large amounts to avoid neurologic damage to your growing baby. Your growing baby has a sensitive developing nervous system and while it is not clear how much seafood one would have to eat to experience harmful effects, it would be best to avoid these fish. Also other raw seafood that women should avoid altogether are oysters and uncooked sushi.
Raw eggs
Perhaps the thought of raw eggs never crossed your mind but they can be a source of salmonella. Foods that contain raw egg include mayonnaise, caesar salads, eggnog, hollandaise and certain batters like those used for cookie dough. To reduce the risk of salmonella, remember to cook your eggs before eating them in any meal.
Raw chicken
Raw chicken should be avoided at all times, but more so during pregnancy. Eating or coming into contact with surfaces that have had raw chicken prepared on them can transmit salmonella. Even cold chicken from the night before should be heated or cooked again to destroy any traces of salmonella.
Raw meat
Whether it is a rare steak, or an uncooked meat dish, raw meat has the capability to cause serious damage to your unborn baby. Raw meat should be avoided when pregnant as it can cause a parasitic disease called toxoplasmosis or E. Coli infection. This can result in a potential intrauterine foetal infection. Other dangers that may result from eating raw meat are coliform bacteria and salmonella.
Soft Cheeses
Soft cheese such as blue cheese, feta, brie, camembert, cottage, ricotta, Latin-American soft white cheeses and any unpasteurised milk or foods made from unpasteurised milk should be avoided during pregnancy as they may contain the bacteria, Listeria. This bacteria is very harmful to your unborn baby and must be avoided. While adults with Listeria quite often show no symptoms it could cause life-threatening complications to the foetus or newborn. Listeriosis has been known to trigger miscarriage, premature births and blood poisoning. It is best to avoid this food type when pregnant and consume only after birth.
Fruit and vegetables
When buying fruit and vegetables make sure you wash them clean of any harmful pesticides and bacteria. Unwashed vegetables have the potential to transmit toxoplasmosis – a parasite that contaminates the soil. Also any mouldy fruit and vegetables should be avoided altogether.
Food additives
Many foods are full of additives and preservatives so careful selection of packaged food in supermarkets is advised. Additives to avoid are MSG (monosodium glutamate) which could cause stomach upsets and headaches; artificial food colourings should also be avoided particularly blue 1, blue 2, green 3, red 3 and yellow 6 and Saccharin.
Other foods to avoid when pregnant
Apart from the foods listed above to avoid when you’re pregnant, women should avoid raw sprouts as they have led to some incidents of salmonella outbreaks. Soft serve ice cream and a lot of deli foods can also contain Listeria, so it is important to avoid or if possible to minimise contact with this harmful bacteria. Another food item to avoid would be peanuts during pregnancy and lactation as this could reduce the chance of allergies against peanuts. Peanuts also have a type of mould called aflatoxin that could potentially be dangerous to your unborn baby. Fenugreek or Methi seeds have properties that can stimulate contraction leading to premature delivery or a miscarriage. Dry sesame seeds have been proven to stimulate the uterine muscles triggering contractions and finally leading to the expulsion of the ovum that has fertilized and should be avoided.
Keeping the right things in mind
Foods to avoid when pregnant are actually quite varied, so it is very important that you keep a good list in your head of the foods you should avoid to ensure health development for your bub. Not only is it important to keep a healthy diet of food overall but at the same time remember not to diet or keep your weight down as eating healthy is the main priority and not dieting to keep your weight gain to a minimum.
Another thing to think about if you are eating out is to try and make sure the food is served steaming hot and not lukewarm nor cold. Also try and avoid too much fast food as they can be high in sugars and saturated fats.
Limit the intake of caffeine and forgo alcohol (it’s only for a little while) as there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been linked to low IQ in babies, low birth weight and birth defects. It also stops the absorption of folic acid and iron and reduces the calcium in your bones.
The number one rule to remember is to eat when you are hungry. Try not to worry about your changing appetite, just take into account the above foods to avoid and try to gain weight at the recommended rate which your doctor or midwife will no doubt monitor.
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The information published herein is intended and strictly only for informational, educational, purposes and the same shall not be misconstrued as medical advice. If you are worried about your own health, or your child’s well being, seek immediate medical advice. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website. Kimberly-Clark and/ or its subsidiaries assumes no liability for the interpretation and/or use of the information contained in this article. Further, while due care and caution has been taken to ensure that the content here is free from mistakes or omissions, Kimberly-Clark and/ or its subsidiaries makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information here, and to the extent permitted by law, Kimberly-Clark and/ or its subsidiaries do not accept any liability or responsibility for claims, errors or omissions.
