What to Eat When Pregnant: Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy?

A pregnancy is one of the most important events in any woman’s life, so naturally she wants to make sure that she does everything right from beginning to end. This is especially the case when it comes to food intake and nutrition. Knowing what foods to incorporate into your diet is definitely important. However, it is just as important for every expectant mother to know which foods to avoid, as they might add to her discomfort in her delicate state or even potentially have negative effects on her unborn baby.

Select Fish and Seafood Products

Some seafood is actually extremely good for both unborn babies and pregnant mothers alike when consumed a couple of times a week. For instance, sardines or wild-caught salmon can be wonderful when it comes to the development of the baby’s soon-to-be nervous system. However, some fish like ahi tuna, tile fish, and shark can potentially contain high mercury levels and should be avoided altogether. Expectant mothers should also avoid any and all consumption of raw or undercooked fish, so save that trip to your favorite sushi place or raw oyster bar until after your baby is born.

Foods Containing Raw Egg

Raw or undercooked eggs can also potentially harm you or your unborn baby, so it’s important to avoid foods that may contain them. Some good examples include mayonnaise, homemade ice cream, and Caesar salads (the dressing contains raw egg yolk). Many health experts also consider it a good idea to avoid eggs prepared in ways that minimize cooking, such as poached eggs or sunny-side up eggs. Opt for scrambled, over-easy, or omelets instead.

Unpasteurized Dairy Products

As is the case with undercooked egg, dairy product that hasn’t been thoroughly pasteurized in order to kill off bacteria can be potentially harmful to you or your baby. Milk and cheese are terrific sources of protein and much-needed calcium when pregnant, but stick to fully pasteurized options only. This isn’t the time to indulge in raw milk or try a new unpasteurized cheese no matter how delicious it may sound. Some of the bacteria contained in such things can not only make you very sick in your delicate state, but lead to miscarriage as well.

Liver and Other Filtration Organs

When pregnant, you should avoid all filtration organs (kidneys, for example) as they can contain elements that aren’t good for your baby. However, you should take special care to avoid liver. While liver is a terrific source of iron – something expectant mothers definitely need plenty of – it’s also packed with high levels of Vitamin A. Too much Vitamin A really isn’t good for an unborn baby that is still developing vital functions. Get your much-needed protein, iron, and nutrients from lean, organic meats instead. They’re just as nourishing, but much safer to consume.

Fried or Spicy Foods

While fried or spicy treats won’t necessarily harm your baby, you may find that they add considerably to your own discomfort while you’re pregnant. This is especially the case once your uterus and unborn child are large enough to take abdominal space away from your stomach and intestines, causing heartburn and digestive upset in the process. Fried, rich, or spicy foods are particularly hard for your body to digest, so you may want to either avoid them altogether or indulge only in very small amounts.

Creating another life is no doubt exciting and exhilarating, but it is also a complicated process that means a lot of hard work as well. However, healthy food, good habits, and careful attention paid to foods consumed can go a long way toward making sure both you and your baby make it through your nine months together as safely and comfortably as possible.