Pregnant women need to maintain a healthy lifestyle by consuming the proper staple food! Food restriction is important during the pregnancy period, which is good for both the mom and the baby at the same time. But, before settling for unwanted food items, it is important to learn their ill effects on the mother and baby’s health. Some food substances may contain harmful bacteria, bad chemicals, and even excess compounds. Let us check the article below and find the top food items that we should avoid during the pregnancy period.

What are the Food items to avoid During the Pregnancy period?

Numerous food items can be found in the marketplace that are harmful during pregnancy. As per the Nutrition clinic in Mumbai, below food items should be avoided during pregnancy:

1. Fish with high mercury levels

Mercury levels are available within some fish species and consuming older fish can probe high mercury levels within the human body. Excess amounts of mercury can have serious effects on the body and can cause long-term ailments in humans. High levels of mercury can be harmful to kids, which can pose difficulty in the development of the nervous system. Some of the fish species containing high mercury levels include mackerel, tuna, swordfish, and marlin.

2. Raw or half-cooked fish items

Various fish species, including shellfish, contain numerous parasites and bacteria that can be pretty harmful to the human body! Some of the top life-threatening viruses found in raw fish species include Salmonella, Vibrio, Listeria, and norovirus. These viruses can make the body prone to weaknesses and can even slip through the placenta and reach the baby’s body parts. These viruses can cause pregnancy issues like child loss and other health problems!

3. Raw or half-cooked meat

Half-cooked or raw meat contains good amounts of harmful bacteria and viruses, which include Salmonella, E. Coli, Toxoplasma, and Listeria! These bacteria can cause several problems and can even pass on to the muscle fibers. Some of these viruses may even lead to dehydration and cause stomach problems in mothers! These problems may have severe aftereffects on the health of the baby during the pregnancy period.

4. Ready-to-eat meat items

Before learning about the ill effects of half-cooked and processed meat items, it is best to consult a dietitian over the same. Some dietitians would definitely prescribe cutting off deli meat from the food habits. Deli meat and packaged meat items may contract these viruses during the packing process and result in high sodium levels with fat concentration. Thus, it is best to avoid such packaged meat items from supermarkets to ensure a healthy life for the mother and the baby during pregnancy moments.

5. Raw egg items

One should not in any way consume raw eggs when they are in their pregnancy months! Raw eggs contain high levels of the bacteria called Salmonella which are pretty much harmful for the body. There are various aftereffects of consuming raw egg items containing Salmonella, and they are vomiting, nausea, stomach aches, cramps, and even loose bowel symptoms. For pregnant women, Salmonella can also cause child loss or stillbirth if taken excessively.

6. Organ meat items

Another important food item to avoid during pregnancy months is the organ meat consumables available in the market! Organ meats are mainly the meat items that are used as organs in animals. Some of the top organ meat items available in the marketplace are liver, lungs, brain, kidney, and even intestines. Such meat items should be avoided at all costs during pregnancy as it may lead to excess consumption of vitamin A, leading to pregnancy problems and malfunctions!

7. Raw sprout items

Sprouts like radish, alfalfa, bean sprouts, and even clover contain high amounts of the bacteria termed Salmonella! Salmonella probes various health issues in mothers and babies and can be found within the sprout food items. These viruses are so tough that you cannot clean them even after washing them with fresh water. It is thus best to avoid sprouts in salads and other consumables for a healthy baby birth!

8. Dairy products (unpasteurized)

Unpasteurized dairy products also contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can lead to life-threatening diseases in humans and babies! Some of the top viruses and bacteria developed from unpasteurized dairy products include Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, and E. Coli. These viruses may cause dehydration and even probe food infections and stomach upsets. It is best to consume pasteurized dairy products for a healthy baby and their development.

9. Alcoholic drinks

Alcohol consumption may cause fatal issues during the pregnancy period and is best to avoid the beverage during that time! Alcohol causes various ill effects and can even lead to FAS, or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Drinking high levels of alcohol can cause health issues for the babies and even lead to stillbirth and loss of the child. Alcoholic drinks can also lead to unhealthy heart issues and also be a life-threatening disease for both the mother and child!

10. Tap water

For pregnant women, it is important to know that drinking tap or contaminated water can also lead to harmful viruses and bacteria within the mother and child’s body! These viruses may build up over time and cause child loss, and death, and even halt the development of the central nervous system. Contaminated water may also contain harmful chemicals and compound substances that can cause issues for the child’s health and brain development.

Bottom Line

Therefore, to end with, these are the top 10 consumables to avoid during the pregnancy period! It is also best to connect with reputed dietitians and nutritionists to learn about the different food substances that are beneficial and harmful for both the mom and child during the pregnancy months!