Pregnancy Diet: Raw Eggs To Caffeine; 5 Foods That You Must Avoid During Pregnancy

PREGNANCY is the most beautiful phase in any woman’s life. A woman needs to be extra careful about everything during those nine months of her pregnancy, from food, sleep, exercise, stress and much more, everything has a direct effect on the baby in the womb. The food that you eat plays an important role in determining the health of your unborn baby and you. Not every food item and beverage is healthy for your baby during those months.

According to Healthline, the foods you should avoid while pregnant generally include undercooked or raw meat or fish and other foods that can carry a risk of infection. You may also need to minimise caffeine and certain beverages. Here’s a list of food items that you must exclude from your pregnancy diet.

Foods That You Must Avoid During Pregnancy

1. Raw Eggs

Eggs are undoubtedly one of the most healthy foods on Earth, but raw eggs are not. Raw eggs can be easily contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria, which can lead to fever, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. According to Healthline, in rare cases, the infection may cause cramps in the uterus, leading to premature birth or stillbirth. Foods that commonly include raw eggs are lightly scrambled eggs, hollandaise sauce, homemade mayonnaise, homemade ice cream and homemade cake icings.

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2. Organ Meat

Also referred to as Offal, organ meats are the organs of animals that humans prepare and consume as food. They are indeed a great source of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, selenium and copper, consuming too many amounts of vitamin A, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to congenital malformations and miscarriage, states Healthline.

3. Caffeine

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, pregnant women are generally advised to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams (mg) per day. Several studies show that consuming high caffeine during pregnancy can restrict foetal growth and increase the risk of low birth weight at delivery.

4. Unpasteurised Milk, Cheese

Raw milk, also referred to as unpasteurised milk contains harmful bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, E.coli, and Campylobacter, which can be a great risk to the health of the unborn baby.

5. Processed Junk Foods

According to Healthline, an optimal pregnancy eating plan should mainly consist of whole foods, with plenty of nutrients to fulfil your and baby’s needs. Processed junk food is generally low in nutrients and high in calories, sugar, and added fats.

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)