Are you thinking about why there is so much talk on what foods to avoid during pregnancy? Why are there so many articles talking about the foods that should not be given to pregnant mothers? Well, pregnancy is a precious phase where you are creating another life inside you and it requires this care and attention.
All right, this is all okay but why is there a restriction to avoid certain foods during pregnancy, otherwise no one bothers that much…
So, what happens when you eat food is that it mixes with the juices in your stomach and takes in whatever is needed, and what is not needed is sent out, this is basically a chemical reaction that happens inside, and when certain foods are consumed this chemical reaction can cause some side effects that are not favorable to the baby inside or may affect the surroundings the baby is in because whatever you eat is eventually going to the baby.
Unfortunately, though the food industry is so VAST, there is no label that mentions that it is not suitable for pregnant mothers/expectant mothers. We need to be careful and be conscious of what we choose to eat.
Hence, it is important to avoid certain foods listed below.
Avoid seafood high in mercury. Some fish and shellfish contain potentially dangerous levels of mercury. Too much mercury could harm your baby's developing nervous system. The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) encourages you to avoid: Bigeye, tuna, King mackerel, marlin, Orange roughy, Swordfish, Shark, Tilefish.
You should also avoid refrigerated, uncooked fish, undercooked meat, eggs, poultry.
Unpasteurized foods should also be avoided. Such as soft cheeses, such as brie, feta, and blue cheese, unless they are clearly labeled as being pasteurized or made with pasteurized milk. Also, avoid drinking unpasteurized juice.
Avoid unwashed fruits and vegetables. Avoid raw sprouts of any kind — including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean. Cook them well before consuming them.
Avoid drinking herbal tea unless your health care provider says it's OK. even the types of herbal tea marketed specifically for pregnancy to pregnant women.
Avoid alcohol. No level of alcohol has been proved safe during pregnancy. The safest bet is to avoid alcohol entirely.
Some say to avoid liver products. Such as liver pâté or liver sausage, as they may contain a lot of vitamin A.
Energy drinks are not recommended during pregnancy as they may contain high levels of caffeine, and other ingredients not recommended for pregnant women.
Avoid nuts that you are allergic to. Nuts are packed with nutrients but you should not introduce anything new that can cause allergic reactions to you. If you do want to include nuts in your diet, then try with a very small quantity to check if it suits you.
There are a wide variety of foods that can be included in your diet excluding the above list. And those foods can be tasty, healthy and nutritious too. Cooked foods are almost safe during pregnancy, but when in doubt, do not hesitate to ask your doctor.
That is all mommies!
Take care.
