5 Foods to Avoid When You're Pregnant

When you're pregnant, everything is important — from your skincare routine to the foods that you eat.

There are certain foods that can put your pregnancy at risk, and it's crucial to avoid them. In this blog post, we will discuss five foods that you should avoid when you're pregnant. We will also talk about the risks associated with these foods and why they pose a danger to pregnant women.

5 Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy

There are foods that experts recommend that pregnant women avoid due to the contaminants in them, such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, and parasites.

Although a regular human body can fight off the illnesses caused by these contaminants, a pregnant woman might face more difficulty and her baby is more vulnerable. Everything consumed during pregnancy impacts the growing fetus, so it is essential to be aware of what is going inside the body!

Here are five foods that must be avoided during pregnancy:

1.Undercooked meat

Pregnant women should avoid eating undercooked meat for a variety of reasons.

Undercooked meat can harbor harmful parasites and bacteria, such as Toxoplasma, E. coli, Yersinia, and Salmonella, that can cause food poisoning. This is especially dangerous for pregnant women because food poisoning can lead to dehydration, which can be harmful to both the mother and the developing baby.

Eating undercooked meat that is contaminated can cause also cause serious illnesses that can directly impact the development of your baby. High levels of toxins can cross the placenta and damage the fetus in the womb.

Because of these risks, it is important for pregnant women to avoid undercooked meat and to only eat meat that has been cooked to a safe temperature. Choose well done until you're done with your pregnancy and breastfeeding!

2.Raw fish and fish with high levels of mercury

This is similar to the point above about undercooked meat. Pregnant women are often advised to avoid eating undercooked or raw fish, as there is a risk that the fish could contain harmful bacteria, parasites, or viruses. In particular, stay away from shellfish and sashimi.

While most healthy adults can recover from the infections caused by eating raw fish, they can be dangerous for pregnant women and their developing babies.

In addition, pregnant women who eat raw fish may also be at risk for prenatal infections, which can cause birth defects or other problems for the developing baby.

For these reasons, it is important for pregnant women to avoid eating raw or undercooked fish. Make sure your fish is well-cooked, fresh, clean, and sourced reliably.

It's also a good idea to avoid fish that has medium to high mercury levels, such as:

• tuna
• mahi mahi
• bass
• carp
• lobster
• cod
• king mackerel
• tuna (canned chunk light)
• sea bass
• shark
• swordfish
• tilefish

If there is too much mercury in the mother's bloodstream, then the fetus' brain and nervous system development can be severely impacted.

You can always speak to your doctor about the kinds of fish you can eat during pregnancy, because not all fish are bad for you! However, do avoid eating raw even the fish that are good for you (such as salmon, sardines, canned light tuna, and shrimp). 

3.Unpasteurized dairy

Pregnant women are advised to avoid unpasteurized dairy products. While unpasteurized dairy may be safe for some people, it can pose serious risks for pregnant women and their developing babies.

Again, the reason is that unpasteurized dairy products often harbor harmful bacteria that can severely impact the mother and the growing baby. These bacteria can cause serious illness, miscarriage, or even death.

For these reasons, it is important for pregnant women to avoid unpasteurized dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and cream. Pasteurization eliminates disease-causing germs and thus is a crucial process when it comes to dairy products.

If you are pregnant and unsure about whether a product contains unpasteurized dairy, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid the product altogether. So, skip that random milkshake shop you might have found on your stroll! And if you're going to consume dairy at home, make sure it's pasteurized and fresh.

4.Caffeine

Unfortunately, caffeine is one of the foods that pregnant women should avoid during pregnancy. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and blood pressure, and it can also lead to dehydration.

Moreover, caffeine is found in a variety of foods and beverages, including coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate. Consuming high amounts of caffeine during pregnancy has been linked to a number of adverse outcomes, including low birth weight and miscarriage. This is primarily because caffeine is easily absorbed by the placenta and the baby; its buildup due to lack of metabolization can lead to the issues we just discussed.

While a small amount of caffeine may not be harmful, it's a good idea to avoid caffeine as much as possible. Limit your daily consumption of caffeinated teas as well. However, you can speak to your doctor and decide how often you can consume caffeine and in what forms.

5.Alcohol

It shouldn't be surprising that alcohol is one of the main foods that you absolutely must avoid during pregnancy. It can cause a range of problems, including birth defects, low birth weight, and developmental delays. Alcohol passes through the placenta and can interfere with the baby's breathing and heart rate.

It's important to note that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful because it is passed to your growing baby in the womb, and the little one's immature liver simply cannot process alcohol that well. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are common in babies that have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy; the disorders include severe developmental disabilities and birth defects.

So, it's best to avoid alcohol altogether if you're pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Skip the celebratory champagne and the glass of wine to relax after a hectic day — your little one will thank you for it. There are plenty of other fluids for you to choose from, like water or juice. And, of course, there are plenty of delicious foods to enjoy without alcohol.

Now, don't get too stressed! You won't have too much difficulty avoiding these foods during pregnancy. Most of these foods are those that people in general stay away from or are aware of the risks of. Speak to your OB/GYN about your diet, eat well, drink plenty of water, and allow yourself to relax.

Check out this article about the 10 best foods for babies so that you can be ready when your little one arrives. If you're having a baby for the first time, take a look at our five important tips for first-time parents. 

Experience Gentle Skincare with Nature's Baby Organics

Not only is it important to avoid chemicals in food during pregnancy, but it's also important to avoid chemicals in skincare! Most skin and hair care products contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, and additives that will irritate and harm your skin, which is extra sensitive during pregnancy.

If you're looking for organic skin and hair care products, consider Nature's Baby Organics. Our products are specially formulated for babies with sensitive and problem-prone skin. And yes, adults with sensitive skin can use them!

USDA Certified organic, EU registered and approved to be free of over 1500 harmful chemicals, minimally processed, and dermatologist-approved, our shampoos, body washes, lotions, oils, and detanglers are ideal for you and your little one.

With our skincare range, you won't have to worry about parabens, silicones, GMOs, fragrances, gluten, and animal cruelty either. Enjoy your pregnancy without having to fret over what's going on your skin!