Which Food to Avoid during Pregnancy

You want the most beneficial for your child. This is why you add slices of fruits to your nutritious breakfast cereal, top your salads with chickpeas or eat munch on almonds. But do you know Which Food to Avoid during Pregnancy? Here’s help understanding pregnancy nutrition basics.

➤Avoid eating seafood that contains mercury

Seafood is a fantastic source of protein along with the omega-3 fats found in certain fish species can aid in the baby’s eye and brain development. However, certain fish and shellfish have hazardous amounts of mercury. A high concentration of mercury can harm the nervous system of your child’s growing baby.

The more mature and larger the species of fish you choose to purchase, the greater amount of mercury it’s likely to have. While pregnant it is recommended to avoid: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you avoid:

• Bigeye tuna
• King mackerel
• Marlin
• Orange roughy
• Swordfish
• Shark
• Tilefish

So, what’s safe? Certain kinds of seafood contain only a small amount of mercury. A dietary guideline for 2020-2025 Americans suggests 8-12 inches (224 up to 336 grams) (two or three servings of seafood every week throughout pregnancy. Consider:

• Anchovies
• Catfish
• Cod
• Herring
• Light canned tuna
• Pacific oysters
• Pollock
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Shad
• Shrimp
• Tilapia
• Trout

But, you should restrict the consumption of white (albacore) tuna consumption to six pounds (168 grams) per week.

➤Avoid undercooked, raw, or unsafe seafood

To prevent the spread of harmful viruses or bacteria from seafood:

• Avoid raw shellfish and fish: Examples of raw or undercooked food items to avoid include sushi ceviche, sashimi, raw scallops and oysters, and oysters or clams.
• Avoid refrigerated, raw seafood that is not cooked or refrigerated: Examples include seafood with a nova-style as lox, kippered smoking, or jerky. Smoked seafood when it’s a component of a dish like a casserole, or another cooked dish. The shelf-stable and canned versions are safe.
• Know local advisory on fish: If you eat fish caught in local waters, you should be aware of local fish advisory boards particularly if the water quality is an issue. If you’re unsure about the quality of the fish that you’ve already consumed, avoid eating any other fish in the same week.
• Cook your seafood in a proper manner: Cook fish to an internal temperature of at least 145 F (63 C). Fish is cooked when it is separated into pieces and is translucent throughout. Cook lobster, shrimp, and scallops to creamy white. Cook mussels, clams, and oysters until the shells break open. Don’t discard any that won’t open.

➤Beware of undercooked poultry, meat, and eggs

When you’re pregnant, you’re at a greater risk of getting food poisoning. Your reaction could get more intense than were not pregnant. Food poisoning is a rare occurrence that affects the baby as well.

To prevent foodborne illness:

• Thoroughly cook all poultry and meats prior to taking them out for eating. Use a meat thermometer to ensure.
• Cook hot sandwiches and hot dogs until they’re hot and steaming hot completely avoid them. They can be a source of a rare, but possibly serious foodborne illness, known as the listeria infection.
• Avoid meat spreads and refrigerated pates. Canned and shelf-stable versions are fine.
• Bake eggs till egg yolks and the whites are hard. Harmful bacteria can contaminate raw eggs. Avoid eating foods that contain eggs that are cooked or raw for example, eggnog or raw eggs and homemade or freshly prepared Hollandaise sauce, as well as Caesar salad dressing.

➤Beware of foods that are not pasteurized

Many dairy products with low-fat content like dairy products as skim milk and mozzarella, or cottage cheese are a good part of your food. Anything made with unpasteurized milk but, it’s not recommended. This can lead to foodborne illnesses.

Avoid soft cheeses like feta, brie, and blue cheeses If they’re not clearly identified as pasteurized or made from pasteurized milk. Also, avoid drinking unpasteurized juice.

➤Avoid eating and drinking unwashed vegetables and fruits

To get rid of any harmful bacteria clean all fruits and vegetables that are raw. Avoid sprouts that are raw of any type — such as clover, alfalfa, Mung bean, and radish they could also contain harmful bacteria. Be sure to cook the sprouts well.

➤Avoid excess caffeine

While caffeine can pass through the placenta’s membrane, the consequences on your baby’s development aren’t completely clear. To ensure your baby’s safety your doctor might suggest that you avoid or limit your intake of coffee consumed in your food intake to less than 200 milligrams (mg) daily during the pregnancy.

To put it in the sake of perspective An 8-ounce (240-milliliters or milliliters, or) cup of coffee brewed is approximately 95 mg of caffeine. the 8-ounce (240-mL) drink of tea that has been brewed contains approximately 47 mg, and a 12-ounce (360-mL) caffeinated beverage contains approximately 33 mg.

➤Do not drink herbal tea

There’s not much research about the effect of specific herbal teas on the development of babies. Therefore, you should not drink herbal tea unless your doctor confirms that it’s safe — including the varieties of teas made from herbs that are specifically designed for women who are pregnant. 

Read: When To Take Pregnancy Test After Missed Period

➤Avoid alcohol

The level of alcohol in the blood has not been found to be safe during pregnancy. The most secure option is to stay clear of alcohol completely.

Be aware of the dangers. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to a higher chance of stillbirth and miscarriage. Alcohol consumption may cause fetal alcohol syndrome which can lead to facial defects and intellectual disabilities.

If you’re worried about the effects of alcohol that you consumed prior to knowing that you were pregnant, or believe you require assistance to stop drinking, talk to your doctor.