Pregnancy is a time of joy and anticipation, but it also comes with a need for extra caution, especially regarding your diet. The food you eat not only impacts your health but also the development and well-being of your baby.
Not all food items are safe to eat during pregnancy. This may either be due to their content or the way they have been cooked. Let us take a look at some such foods.
Processed Food – Your body needs a lot of good nutrients such as proteins, iron etc. during pregnancy.It is best to avoid processed food at this time as it is not only low on nutrients but also contain a high amount of fats and sugar which can cause unwanted weight gain.
Certain Dairy Products – Avoid eating products made with uncooked eggs such as Caesar salad dressing, eggnog etc. Unpasteurized juice or milk is also best avoided.
Avoid Street Food and Unhygienic Food Preparations – Street food is often tempting, but it can be risky during pregnancy due to potential contamination and poor hygiene standards. Instead, opt for homemade versions of your favorite snacks. If you crave something like pani puri or chaat, make it at home using fresh and safe ingredients.
Soft Cheese – Listeria, a type of bacteria present in soft cheese can cause illness and even loss of pregnancy. So, it is best to avoid such cheeses during pregnancy and eat them only if they are pasteurized.
Herbal Products – Herbs are plants used in cooking or making medicines. We don’t know whether these herbs are safe to consume during pregnancy, so its best not to use them for some time. Even rawsprouts should not be eaten as there are chances of infection.
Raw or Undercooked Meat and Fish – Avoid eating hotdogs or deli meat unless properly cooked. If you love eating sushi, ensure that it is cooked otherwise avoid eating it.
High Mercury Fish – Tuna, Marlin, Swordfish are some marine fish that accumulate high amount of mercury which is very toxic and best avoided. Mercury can adversely affect your immune system, kidneys and nervous system, leading to severe developmental problems in the newborn.
Freshly Squeezed Juice – Pregnant women shoid avoid drinking freshly squeezed juice in juice bars or farm stands. Fresh juice may be infected with bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, so go for pasteurized juices only.
Caffeine – Although consumption of caffeine is permissible in moderate amount but it is best avoided during the first trimester due to chances of a misscarriage. Even afterwards, the quantity should be limited to 200 mg per day.
Eating well-balanced food is important at all times, but more so when you are expecting. Be careful about what you eat to have a smooth pregnancy.k
