27 Foods You Should Definitely Avoid During Pregnancy
It is said that, as an expecting mother you are eating for two. That means you should have a well-balanced diet to provide proper nutrition for you and the little one. And, a healthy diet helps you prevent any pregnancy complications.
When you are adding fresh and healthy foods to your pregnancy menu, you should even eliminate unhealthy and junk foods from it. Also, there are certain foods that are considered unhealthy for pregnancy. This MomJunction gives you a list of 27 foods that you should avoid during pregnancy, their respective reasons, and their safe alternatives.
Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy:
Avoiding some foods ensures that you and your baby are safe and healthy. Below, we give a list of such must-not-have foods.
1. Fish containing mercury:
Fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish have high mercury levels and must be shunned. Mercury, an element found in oceans, streams, and lakes, converts into methylmercury in the human body. It is a neurotoxin and is linked to brain damage and developmental delays in babies. You could choose fish such as salmon, catfish, cod, and canned light tuna, which have low mercury levels. According to the US FDA, you can eat up to eight to 12 ounces of fish per week, which is two to three servings. Consumption of white tuna (albacore) should be limited to six ounces per week.
Solution: Choose fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in mercury as the high protein, low saturated fats and many essential nutrients contribute to the child’s heart and brain development, and aid in proper growth. You should, however, check with a doctor or a qualified dietitian to know about the fish you can eat.
2. Smoked seafood:
Do not take smoked and refrigerated seafood, which are labeled as lox, jerky, nova style and kippered as they contain Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. This bacteria causes listeriosis (associated with symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting) that could lead to illness in newborn and even miscarriage or stillbirth. Moreover, processed seafood contains high levels of salt which can lead to increased blood pressure and swelling of the body parts.
Solution: You may have canned smoked seafood occasionally or when fresh fish is unavailable. However, avoid such food as much as you can.
3. Fish exposed to industrial pollutants:
Fish from local streams, lakes, and rivers contain harmful levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). On exposure to these contaminants, the babies may have low birth weight, smaller head size, learning disabilities, and memory problems. Avoid eating locally caught striped bass, pike, bluefish, salmon, trout, and walleye.
Solution: You can choose fresh water fishes.
Also, follow a few tips when picking fish from a local stream, lake, or river. Firstly, check the advisories related to that water body. You can get the information from the fishing regulations websites or at a local health department. This information would be regarding fish caught from local waters and not the ones available at local groceries. Avoid raw fish as it is more likely to contract food borne diseases.
4. Raw shellfish:
Avoid eating raw shellfish such as oysters, clams, and mussels to stay away from seafood-borne illnesses and food poisoning. They contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins that will make you ill.
Solution: Instead you can eat cooked shellfish ensuring that you cook them with their shells open.
5. Raw or undercooked eggs:
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