Pregnancy is a beautiful phase of a woman’s life and whatever she eats directly affects the health of the child she is bearing. Hence, expecting ladies are provided a long list of the foods to avoid during pregnancy.

While you are expecting, even the simplest everyday foods and beverages get a new meaning altogether because some foods that you consume may be harmful or dangerous to the developing baby.

Pregnancy symptoms also bring along cravings for your favourite foods. But, it is not necessary that those food items you crave for are good for the health of the developing baby. Hence, an expecting mother is loaded with advice and suggestions from mother and doctors about what to eat and what not to eat, etc.

Here is a brief of some foods that you must avoid during pregnancy; however you must always take the advice of a doctor before discontinuing or including a food item in your diet while being pregnant.

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1. Raw or uncooked animal origin food:

Uncooked animal origin food items such as uncooked or partially cooked eggs, meats, raw oysters, clams, sushi, etc. should completely be avoided as they may contain harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses. If you like home baked food items stop having them until your pregnancy is over as the baking dough may sometimes be unevenly fermented and may cause vomiting and harm your fetus.

2. Certain sea foods and fishes:

It does not mean that you can’t have any fish at all during your pregnancy, but you must be careful while choosing your fish.
• Avoid fishes such as mackerel, swordfish, shark and tilefish, etc. As they contain high levels of mercury. You can always have fish like tuna as it contains low levels of mercury.
• Avoid smoked seafood as it may contain Listeria bacteria
• Avoid fishes exposed to pollutants like salmon and bass

3. Unpasteurized dairy products:

It is very necessary to consume milk during pregnancy as milk is rich in calcium and protein. Some place raw milk and other raw milk products in the food to avoid during pregnancy. Raw milk and products might contain harmful bacteria, it may cause severe poisoning and harm your baby too. Always have pasteurized milk items such as ghee, butter or opt for dairy alternatives such as soy milk, etc.

4. Unpasteurized soft cheese:

You can have hard cheese such as cheddar and Swiss cheese, prepared from pasteurised milk, but you must avoid unpasteurized soft cheeses such as brie, feta, queso fresco and camembert, etc. as they contain Listeria bacteria.

5. Raw vegetable sprouts:

It is another food item to avoid during pregnancy. Although sprouts are rich in protein and are good food to have in your diet, but it is best to avoid these raw sprouts during your baby bump period as they harbour harmful bacteria that may harm you and your baby.

6. Unwashed fruits and vegetables:

The unwashed fruits and veggies should be avoided during pregnancy as they contain Toxoplasma gondii parasite and Listeria. Raw sprouts are thus considered dangerous for the foetus or the expectant mother. Some special fruits that should be avoided during pregnancy are:
• Grapes
• Pineapple
• Papaya

7. Allergic nuts:

Various women are allergic to nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, pistachios and cashew nuts, etc. These nuts should be avoided during pregnancy.

8. Unpasteurized juices:

Fruit juices might contain harmful bacteria like E.coli and salmonella. Although fresh juices are good for the body, during pregnancy our body might not be able to bear the infection caused by these bacteria and may counteract in the form of loose motions and diarrhoea.

9. Excessive caffeine:

Although excessive caffeine have been considered harmful at every level. During pregnancy, special attention must be paid to cut caffeine from your daily life. As caffeine has been related to cause stillbirths, foetal deaths and spontaneous abortions.

10. Canned food:

Canned foods are particular foods that should be avoided during pregnancy as the cans containing the food may have a Bisphenol A (BPA) lining that can affect foetal activity and may also harbour harmful bacteria that can bring dangers to the foetal health.

Conclusion:

Although there are several food items, that may harm you and your developing baby during pregnancy, yet you should search for the healthy alternatives. Avoid the harmful foods or fruits during pregnancy and ask your doctor for the best foods to cover-up the nutritional demands during pregnancy. Pregnancy and pregnancy nutrition is a heavenly experience, and you should enjoy this period without any worries.

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