7 Foods You Should Definitely Avoid During Pregnancy No Matter What

Pregnancy is an important time in a woman’s life, she has to prepare herself to give birth to another human, which is a big deal, during this time, she has to make sure that she is taking care of her body and eating the right foods to provide enough nutrients and energy to herself and to the baby. Certain foods should only be consumed rarely, while others should be avoided completely.

Here are 7 foods and beverages to avoid or minimize during pregnancy

Caffeine

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Caffeine can be dangerous during pregnancy, drinking a lot of caffeine has been linked to miscarriage and low birth weight. Caffeine is found in tea and coffee, cola and other soft drinks, You should limit your caffeine intake to no more than 200mg a day during your pregnancy.  You can easily cross this limit if you are not careful as a can of cola has around 40mg of caffeine, a mug of tea has around 75mg, a bar of plain chocolate has around 50mg, a cup of instant coffee has around 100mg.

Alcohol

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NO amount of alcohol has been known to be safe during pregnancy, So alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy. Exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of the baby. Depending on the amount, timing, and pattern of use, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or other developmental disorders.

Raw or undercooked eggs

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Raw undercooked or soft-boiled eggs are bad for you as they contain harmful salmonella bacteria which cause food poisoning. You may experience diarrhea, severe vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, and high temperature. All these symptoms are might not harm your baby, but your immune system will become weaker, which may impact the baby’s development.

Unpasteurized Milk, Cheese, and Fruit Juice

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Unpasteurized milk and cheese can contain an array of harmful bacteria, including Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. Just like milk and cheese, unpasteurized juice is also prone to bacterial contamination. These infections can all have life-threatening consequences for an unborn baby. You can easily kill the bacteria by pasteurizing the milk. This is why, pregnant women are advised to consume only pasteurized milk, cheese and fruit juice.

Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables

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Vegetables are safe, and a necessary part of a balanced diet. However, it is essential to make sure they are washed to avoid potential exposure to toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis may contaminate the soil where the vegetables were grown, which can be very harmful to the mother and the baby.

Processed Junk Food

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During Pregnancy, the mother requires an extra requirement of vitamins and nutrients, to meet her and the needs of the baby, her diet should mainly consist of whole foods, with plenty of nutrients to fulfill the needs of the mother and growing child. Processed junk food is generally low in nutrients and high in calories, sugar, and added fats. On top of that, they can also increase the risk of diseases in both the mother and the baby, so it is advised to completely avoid junk food.

Fish with mercury

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Fish that contain high levels of mercury should not be consumed during pregnancy as mercury has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. A sample of these types of fish includes shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Canned, chunk light tuna generally has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but still should only be eaten in moderation.

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