Not eating some foods during pregnancy can be a sacrifice for the woman, but they prevent several problems and illnesses for the baby.
Discovering a pregnancy is always a big surprise full of emotions and knowledge about a new phase of life. However, developing a baby within oneself is a very important task in a woman’s life, as it involves essential care so that the life of the fetus is preserved. Therefore, not eating some foods during pregnancy can be a sacrifice, but also an act of love and care, as some substances can be extremely harmful to the unborn child.
During pregnancy, a pregnant woman’s immune system must be preserved and not stimulated. Therefore, choosing the right foods to eat is an important mission in a woman’s life. Several foods contain toxic substances, in addition to being able to contain microorganisms that affect the baby and can lead to death.
Alcohol, raw meat, seafood and many other foods should be avoided in order to have a healthy pregnancy free from complications. Make sure you always look at packaging labels, avoid raw foods, don’t eat poorly washed foods and always be aware of temptations, as they can blind you when choosing a food to enjoy.
13 foods not to eat during pregnancy
1. Alcoholic drinks
You should not drink alcoholic beverages while pregnant, as alcohol accumulates in the fetus’ body and is unable to eliminate it. As a result, premature birth, delayed growth and even cardiac malformations in the baby may occur.
2. Raw meats
Eating raw meat in any situation is not healthy, but when pregnant it is even worse. Raw fish, red meat and white meat, when not fully cooked, can contain bacteria that cause various diseases. Among the illnesses are the bacteria listeria, cysticercosis disease, samonella, among several other diseases.
3. Raw eggs
Pregnant women need to avoid eating raw eggs as much as possible, as they can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever and even death, due to the salmonella bacteria, which may be present in raw food. In addition, pregnant women also need to avoid foods that contain raw eggs in their composition, such as Dutch cream, mayonnaise, eggnog, among others.
4. Do not eat during pregnancy: Unpasteurized milk
Milk that comes straight from the farm needs to be avoided by pregnant women, this is because the liquid contains many bacteria that can cause infections and diarrhea. Therefore, it is better to prefer pasteurized milk or UHT milk, which undergo processes at high temperatures that eliminate bacteria.
5. Pasteurized and pasteurized cheeses
Ripe or unpasteurized cheeses are not recommended for pregnant women to eat, as they may contain listeria bacteria, which can be extremely harmful to the fetus. Avoid brie, camembert, gorgonzola, danish blue, cottage, ricotta, among others. Listeria is a strong bacteria that can cause baby death.
6. Caffeinated foods and drinks
Consuming excessive amounts of coffee or caffeinated products during pregnancy can cause miscarriages, so pregnant women cannot overeat these foods. It is recommended that a maximum of 300 mg of coffee be consumed per day, which can be 2 to 3 cups of the drink. It is worth mentioning that soft drinks, energy drinks, teas, among other caffeinated drinks need to be avoided, as excess of the substance can cause miscarriages, in addition to being able to cause tachycardia in the baby.
7. Do not eat during pregnancy: Raw or poorly washed fruits and vegetables
Fruits, vegetables and vegetables need to be thoroughly washed before consuming, as they may contain various bacteria that harm the body of the pregnant woman and the baby, which can lead to malformations and death. When eating outside the home, pregnant women should avoid eating these foods to avoid problems. The risk of toxoplasmosis, a parasite that contaminates the soil, is also greater when consuming agricultural products that have not been properly washed.
8. Atum em lata
Canned fish such as tuna, mackerel, swordfish, sardines, dogfish and grouper are not a good option for pregnant women. Therefore, these fish contain high levels of mercury, a metal that can harm the fetal nervous system.
9. Seafood
Food that comes from the sea, if not prepared correctly, can be very harmful to the fetus. River fish also need to be avoided, as they contain high mercury content. If consumed in excess, foods with mercury can cause brain damage, tremors, miscarriage and problems with fetal development. In other words, it is better not to eat seafood during pregnancy.
10. Don’t eat during pregnancy: Sweeteners and excess sugar
We know that pregnant women can have sudden cravings for sweets that you can’t control, but you need to be alert about the amount of sugar and sweeteners you consume. It is good to pay attention to food labels, as sucralose and stevia should be eliminated from a pregnant woman’s diet.
It is also worth remembering that saccharin and aspartame cause fetal malformation, as they are teratogenic, a substance that alters the fetal cell. Finally, choose natural sweeteners, as these are safer for the baby.
11. Excessive salt
Women with hypertension should be even more careful when consuming foods high in sodium or preserved in salt. When eating these foods in large quantities, fluid retention, swelling and even worsening of hypertension during pregnancy can occur.
12. Pate
Liver pâtés are the ones that pregnant women should stay even further away from. This food contains a lot of vitamin A, which is not interesting for the development of the fetus.
13. Cinnamon
Although many myths exist about cinnamon causing miscarriage, there are no studies that prove this fact. However, experts do not recommend consumption during pregnancy.
Sources: Huggies, Tua Saúde, Pais e Filhos.
Images: Healthy Style, Grão de Gente, Biologicus, Sou Mamãe, Baby Space.
