Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy as an Expectant Mother

You are now getting ready to become a mother. This is a very special time in your life. Everything you eat and drink during this time nourishes the little baby inside you. Therefore, it is very important to choose food and drink with your safety in mind as well as your baby. Although food poisoning from some foods may not affect you much, they can be harmful to the baby. So today, let's talk about which foods we should keep off the plate during this precious time.

First, a few general things to remember:

Before talking about specific foods, there are some general things to always keep in mind.

• Food Safety: Never eat food that has been out of the refrigerator for more than two hours. If you live in a warm climate like ours, avoid eating food that has been out for more than an hour, as bacteria can grow quickly.
• Caffeine Use: You may be a coffee or tea drinker. However, during pregnancy , you should limit your caffeine intake to 200 milligrams (mg) per day. In simple terms, that's about the same amount as a regular cup of coffee.
• Alcohol Use: This is very important. You should completely stay away from alcohol during this time when your baby is growing in the womb. Alcohol can directly harm the baby's development.

Okay, so now let's see what foods we should specifically avoid.

Meats and processed meats

Although meat is a good source of protein , you should be careful about certain types of meat and how they are prepared during pregnancy.

Think about fish too.

Fish is a food rich in Omega-3, which is essential for baby's brain development. However, some types of fish are not good for this period.

Why are some types of fish not good?

The main reason is that some large marine fish contain high levels of a heavy metal called mercury , which can harm the development of a baby's nervous system.

Eggs & Dairy

Eggs and milk are very nutritious foods, but you need to be careful about how you use them.

• Raw Eggs: Raw eggs can contain a bacteria called Salmonella . This can cause stomach upset and vomiting. Therefore, always cook eggs until both the yolk and white are well cooked. Avoid homemade mayonnaise, some salad dressings, mousse, and desserts like tiramisu that are made with raw eggs.
• Unpasteurized Milk & Cheese: Pasteurization is a heat treatment used to kill harmful bacteria in milk. Most milk and cheese available in the Sri Lankan market are pasteurized. However, some artisanal cheeses or milk purchased directly from farms may not have been pasteurized. These may contain bacteria like Listeria. Therefore, check the label and choose only products that say "Pasteurized". Be especially careful with soft cheeses like Brie, Feta, and Blue cheese.

Fruits & Veggies

Fruits and vegetables are a must-have these days, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Wash thoroughly: Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under clean running water before using them. This is very important to protect against parasites like Toxoplasma that can be found in the soil.
• Unripe Papaya: It is okay to eat well-ripened papayas. However, avoid eating raw or barely ripe papayas. It is believed that the latex they contain can cause uterine contractions.
• Unpasteurized Juice: Fresh juice from the store may not have been pasteurized. It can contain bacteria like E.coli. It is safer to drink juice made at home from well-washed fruits.
• Raw Sprouts: Avoid sprouting things like green beans and chickpeas and eating them raw. This is because bacteria can grow inside them. If you cook them well and eat them, there is no problem.

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