What Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy.

Having discussed what foods are best for your pregnancy, it is also necessary for you to know what to avoid when pregnant. There are certain foods and habits that can harm your pregnancy and your baby and should be avoided.

Another important piece of advice is eat small healthy snacks during the day instead of three heavy meals. Also remember not to overeat. The following foods are to be avoided from the time you have decided to become pregnant and not just when your pregnancy is confirmed.

Which Foods and Habits To Avoid in Pregnancy.

Avoid Seafood High in Mercury.

Fish are a great source of proteins and omega-3 fatty acid which help in proper development of the brain and nervous system of the developing baby. However, certain fish can cause potential harm to the nervous system of the baby and should be avoided. This is because they contain high levels of mercury which acts as a neurotoxin. Prenatal exposure to mercury can cause mental retardation, deafness, cerebral palsy and blindness. Even low doses can affect the baby’s development.

Avoid eating the following fish;

• Swordfish,
• Shark,
• Marlin,
• Tilefish,
• King mackeral.
• Tuna.

Avoid eating raw fish such as oysters and clams. Also avoid fish that has been taken from  a contaminated river or lake which has been or is being exposed to industrial pollutants.

Picture showing fish with high mercury content.

Click on image to enlarge.

Avoid Alcohol During Pregnancy.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy greatly increases risk of pregnancy problems and defects in the baby. Alcohol should be totally stopped the moment you have decided to conceive and not only when your pregnancy is confirmed. The following conditions have been associated with pregnant mothers who consumed alcohol during their pregnancy.

• Premature delivery
• Mental retardation,
• Physical defects in the baby.
• Learning disability in the child,
• Emotional problems in the child.
• Low birth weight babies.

Fetal alcohol syndrome explains these defects in the child in somewhat more details. These defects get carried into adulthood also.

Avoid Smoking During Pregnancy.

Besides the effects of smoking on you, smoking when pregnant can have serious effects on your pregnancy and the developing fetus. Smoking greatly increases your risks to the following conditions

• Premature delivery
• Stillbirth
• Low birth weight baby
• Congenital heart defects in the baby.

• Babies become prone to respiratory problems like asthma.

Effects of smoking when pregnant gives some more details on short-term and long-term effects on the baby.

Avoid Unpasteurized Milk in Pregnancy.

Raw milk contains the bacteria, listeria, which causes tuberculosis, typhoid and other infections. Avoid such raw milk or milk products made from it. Soft cheese should be avoided for the same reason.  Avoid Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Feta, Gorgonzola and Mexican style cheeses that include queso blanco and queso fresco, unless they clearly state that they are made from pasteurized milk.

Avoid Excess Caffeine and Cold Drinks.

During pregnancy, limit your daily caffeine intake to 200 mg only. Caffeine is a diuretic which causes excess urination leading to loss of water and calcium from the body. Caffeine increases risk of miscarriage and low birth weight babies. Replace cold drinks with healthier alternatives such as fresh fruit juices or coconut water. Ideally refrain from taking caffeine in any form especially during the first trimester to reduce risk of miscarriage.

For reference to limit caffeine intake to 200 mg, read below:

• An 8 ounce cup of coffee contains 150 mg of caffeine
• A similar cup of black tea with milk contains 80 mg of caffeine
• Chocolate too contains caffeine. A chocolate bar contains about 40 mg of caffeine.
• A 12 ounce glass of caffeinated soda contains between 30 to 60 mg of caffeine.

Avoid Unwashed and Uncooked Foods During Pregnancy.

The reasons are obvious. Eating raw foods and foods that are not properly washed exposes you to bacteria which can give you diseases and infections and exposure to medications which you do not need when you are pregnant. The infection can travel to the fetus and medications can have harmful effects on the delicate structure of the fetus. The soil where the vegetables were grown could be contaminated with toxoplasmosis. Do not eat raw or soft-boiled eggs for fear of salmonella infection.

Avoid Certain Fruits in Pregnancy.

It is believed in some countries that eating too much of certain fruits is not advisable in pregnancy. Unripe or semi ripe papayas contain latex and pineapple contains bromelain which can cause uterine contractions and softening of the cervix of the uterus. This can induce premature labor. Similarly women in their last trimester of pregnancy should avoid grapes because of their heat content. However moderate consumption is okay. Ripe papayas contain good nutrients like vitamin C and are good for pregnancy symptoms like heartburn and constipation.

Avoid Raw Meat and Deli Meat During Pregnancy.

Raw seafood and raw meat severely increases contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis and  salmonella. Similarly deli meat (processed meat) has been known to be contaminated with listeria which can cause miscarriage and blood poisoning in the fetus as it can cross the placental barriers and enter the blood stream of the fetus. If deli meat has to be eaten, be sure to reheat it till it is steaming. For the same reason do not eat non-veg sandwiches or hot dogs in restaurants as many of them use deli meats.

Avoid Processed Food in Pregnancy.

Avoid buying and consuming processed food when pregnant and more so when they have a long expiry period. Such foods have preservatives added which are not advisable in pregnancy. Especially when pregnant, do not trust the labels of foods. They can be misguiding.

Picture of processed foods to be avoided during pregnancy.

Avoid Excess of Vitamin A.

Too much of vitamin A, especially in non beta carotene form is known to cause birth defects. The Institute of Medicine advocates about 2500 IU (international units) of vitamin A for pregnant women over 19 years of age. Liver is rich source of vitamin A. For reference, 3 ounces of cooked beef liver contains 27,185 IU and 3 ounces of cooked chicken liver contains 12,325 IU.

Avoid Use of Saccharine.

Avoid using saccharine during pregnancy as it can cross the placenta and remain in the tissues of the fetus. Use sweeteners which have been approved by the FDA during pregnancy.

Avoid eating refined grain flour.

Stick to only whole grains and do not eat bread or rotis or rice made from flour of processed grains. Processing takes away the nutrients and such food has very little nutritive value.

Avoid Candies During Pregnancy.

Consuming candies which contain lead (especially those from Mexico) increases risk of miscarriage, premature delivery and delay of development in children.

Avoid Medication During Pregnancy.

Avoid any type of medication, allopathic or ayurvedic or homeopathic, during pregnancy. However if necessary take only with your doctor’s advice.

Action Steps.

Besides avoiding the above mentioned foods, do read what to eat during pregnancy which will educate you further on good eating habits during your pregnancy.

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6. Pregnancy Blood Test – A More Accurate Test For Pregnancy.
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8. Weight Gain in Pregnancy: How Much is Healthy.