7 Foods to be Avoided During Pregnancy

Pregnancy, for a woman, is akin to rebirth. Seemingly so because the woman not only gives birth to a new life but faces a risky circumstance during delivery out of which she emerges unscathed. Obstetrics and gynaecology doctors keep her under constant vigil to ensure that both she and the baby are in sound health throughout her term.

Pregnancy is the most fulfilling yet most challenging period of a woman's life. Nutrition during pregnancy assumes supreme importance as this food reaches the baby as well through the umbilical cord.  So the mother has to restrain herself while eating and follow a pregnancy food chart.

Let us take a look at the foods to avoid in the diet for a healthy pregnancy according to a pregnancy doctor 's advice.

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Pregnant women have food cravings due to hormonal changes. Yet as per pregnancy doctor advice, these foods must be avoided by the pregnant mother to ensure the safety and good health of her newborn.
1. Raw uncooked food
Pregnant women should eat their foods piping hot. Yes, this is because raw vegetables or undercooked foods are prone to Listeriosis and Salmonella infections. Listeriosis is a food-borne infection caused by "Listeria" bacteria that causes meningitis, septicemia and even death to the unborn child. Pregnant women are 10 times more prone to listeriosis which is caused mainly  due to consumption of raw foods like these

• Raw eggs
• Unwashed or uncooked vegetables
• Undercooked meat or deli meats like hot dogs, cold cuts, sandwich meat, sliced meat or lunch meats.

2. Unpasteurized cheese
 Some pregnant women just go gaga over cheese. But caution should be exercised while taking cheese as unpasteurized cheese is the main home ground for Listeria bacteria. Pregnant women must avoid unpasteurized and soft cheeses like

• Brie
• Camembert
• Feta
• Panela
• Mexican cheese like Queso Fresco or Queso Blanco
• Blue-veined cheese like Roquefort or Stilton

3. Fish
Certain fish have high levels of mercury in them which can cause nervous and motor disabilities to the unborn child. Here is a list of fish that pregnant women must avoid.

• Marlin
• Sword Fish
• Big-eye Tuna
• King Mackerel
• Shark
• Locally-caught pike, trout, salmon, walleye, bluefish or striped bass as they may be contaminated with chemicals in the water.
• Even smoked salmon is harmful as it is not thoroughly cooked.

Pregnant women can eat well-cooked fresh water which is rich in Omega-3 and not mercury.

4. Fruits
Fruits are a great source of vitamins and anti-oxidants for pregnant women. Pregnant women must forbid these fruits

• Papaya - Unripe papaya is rich in latex which may trigger uterine contractions
• Pineapple - it is rich in bromelain which softens the cervix leading to early labour
• Grapes - the high amount of resveratrol present in grapes may be toxic to the mother.
  

5. Vegetables
Some vegetables are just taboo for pregnant women if eaten abundantly, like

• Bitter melon as it contains vicine which may induce a hemolytic disorder called favism in infants.
• Raw sprouts, cabbage and lettuce as they may contain Salmonella.Eggplant as it contains phytohormones that may induce menstruation causing miscarriage
  

6. Nuts
Nuts like peanuts, tree nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds, are avoided by women during pregnancy as some develop an allergy for them.

7. Drinks
Pregnant women may best avoid drinking

• Caffeine as high amounts of coffee causes miscarriage.
• Herbal teas as herbs like angelica, ephedra, kava kava, motherwort, mugwort, wormwood, liquorice root etc. cause abortion.
• Unpasteurized Milk or juices as they contain E.coli bacteria.
• Alcohol as it causes stillbirth.

Pregnancy is a boon and women must strictly shun these 7 foods suggested by obstetrics and gynaecology doctors for a safe delivery.