Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the time when what you eat will equally affect the developing fetus. Every mother wants their newborn to be fit and healthy. But sometimes due to the unawareness we eat foods which can harm the developing baby. There are so many foods which are good in pregnancy and which can make a positive impact on pregnancy likewise there are some foods which can have adverse effects on the health of the mother and fetus. Following is the list of foods which should be avoided in the pregnancy:

Papaya: Papaya is known for its laxative effect. It contains a substance called Latex which triggers the uterine contractions which can lead to the miscarriages.

Raw sprouts: Raw sprouts can be ideal for the growth of bacteria like E. coli, listeria and salmonella. So always cook the sprouts before eating. You can little bit saut them in olive oil and it will be a great snack for the day.

Raw or partially cooked eggs: Raw or partially cooked eggs can cause a higher risk of food poisoning due to salmonella. Salmonella is a bacteria which can be present in the raw eggs. Try to take fully boiled eggs or a well prepared omelet. To be on a safer side avoid cookie dough, Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, soft custards and mousses.

Avoid these Fishes: Avoid shark, marlin, and swordfish and also limit the amount of tuna. These fishes contain high levels of mercury which can damage the nervous system of the developing baby.

Alcohol: Alcohol should be avoided during the pregnancy. Consumption of alcohol raises the risk of miscarriage, complications during labor and low birth weight baby. This can also cause serious problems in baby such as heart defects, mental retardation, structural abnormalities of the face and limbs and growth problems. This is also called as fetal alcohol syndrome.

Uncooked meat: Uncooked meat and poultry can cause toxoplasmosis. This is an infection caused by the intake of unprocessed meat. It can lead to the brain damage and blindness in the developing baby. So always take care while handling the raw meat. Wash your hands and utensils properly after preparing raw meat.

Cold cured meats: One should also avoid the cold cured meats as they can be the cause of listeria infection.

Unpasteurized milk: Unpasteurized milk can be contaminated by listeria which can cause neurological problems in babies. This can also lead to even miscarriage. Also avoid the products made from the unpasteurized milk. So pasteurize the milk first and then take it.

Unwashed vegetables: Toxoplasma gondii is an organism which occurs in the ground soil. Presence of this organism can lead to toxoplasmosis which is an infection and can cause brain damage or blindness in the baby. So wash them properly before the use. Vegetables are also high in vitamins and minerals which are required during the pregnancy. So don't avoid them because of the fear of infection rather wash them properly and then eat it or you can partially cook them before eating.