Eating a well balanced diet is necessary to maintain good health. It becomes
even more important for a pregnant woman. This is because of the fact that the
choice of food during pregnancy affects the health of the expectant mother as
well as development of the fetus. Doctors agree that some foods contain bacteria
and harmful chemicals, which could interfere with the fetal development or, in
the worst case, cause serious infection. Owing to this fact, it becomes vital to
take care of the food that should be strictly avoided, apart from those
specially recommended for the pregnant woman. Read on to explore the foods to
avoid during pregnancy.
Foods Not To Eat During Pregnancy
* Alcohol: Consumption of alcoholic beverages causes host of health problems in
the baby, including low body weight, learning disabilities, visual problems,
deformed organs and other abnormalities.
* Caffeine: Caffeine consumption can put the pregnant woman to the risk of
miscarriage and premature birth. Hence, even beverages containing caffeine, like
coffee, should be strictly avoided during the period.
* Raw Eggs: Raw eggs should not be eaten during pregnancy, because they contain
Salmonella, a bacteria that causes food borne illness. Stay away from the dishes
that contain raw eggs as well, including ceasar salad dressing, cookie batter
and eggnog.
* Fish with Mercury: Consumption of mercury is related to the delay in the
development of the brain of the baby. Therefore, fish with high levels of
mercury, such as Tilefish, Shark, Swordfish and King Mackerel should be strictly
avoided during pregnancy.
* Smoked Seafood: Smoked seafood available in the general stores may be
contaminated with Listeria, a harmful bacteria. Therefore, smoked seafood,
especially the refrigerated one, is a strict no-no for pregnant women.
* Fish Exposed to Industrial Pollutants: Do not eat fish from lakes and rivers,
such as bluefish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout and walleye, because they
may be exposed to high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, a class of organic
compounds that are harmful for health.
* Raw Shellfish: Uncooked shellfish is the source of a number of seafood-borne
diseases. Hence, pregnant women should avoid raw shellfish.
* Soft Cheese: Soft cheese such as Feta, Gorgonzola, Queso Blanco, Queso Fresco,
Brie and Camembert, contain Listeria, which may infect the baby. It may also
lead to blood poisoning.
* Unwashed Vegetables: Vegetables should be thoroughly washed before
consumption, because they may have been exposed to a parasitic disease
'toxoplasmosis', which might have affected the soil where the vegetables were
grown.
* Unpasteurized Milk: Ensure that the milk you consume during pregnancy is
pasteurized, because unpasteurized milk may contain a bacteria called Listeria,
which may lead to miscarriage. |
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