6 foods to avoid during pregnancy

A healthy diet during pregnancy is essential to maintain the woman's health for the proper development of the baby. Therefore, in addition to giving preference to nutritious foods and a balanced menu of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, healthy fats and protein, the future mom should also be aware of foods that can cause problems.

The list of foods prohibited in pregnancy should be indicated by the obstetrician and may vary from woman to woman, but there are certain options that should be suspended by pregnant women in general. Know Now 6 Foods To Be Avoided During Pregnancy.


1 ? Rare meat

Never eat any meat that is not well cooked. Raw or undercooked white or red meat, especially pork and mutton, may contain toxoplasmosis-causing microorganisms.

Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted congenitally, ie from mother to fetus. The effects of the disease on a baby in the womb vary according to the period of pregnancy at which the infection began, but may cause brain damage and blindness in the fetus. Spontaneous abortion is another complication of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy.

2 ? Raw eggs

Scratch off the menu raw eggs, they can be a source of bacteria that harm the mother and baby. Foods like sauces made from raw or undercooked eggs and homemade mayonnaise should also be left out of the pregnant woman's diet. Ideally cook them until the yolk and egg white are firm to avoid salmonella contamination.


3? Unpasteurised milk and cheese

Pasteurization is a process that causes milk to be heated to a temperature that kills microorganisms that can be harmful to health without changing the characteristics of the food. Therefore, before consuming milk and cheese, make sure they are pasteurized.

Another tip is to avoid imported soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, roquefort, gorgonzola, white cheese and fresh cheese unless they are made from pasteurized milk.

4? Fish and Shellfish

Most sea foods like certain fish and shellfish are safe to eat during pregnancy as long as they are well cooked. This recommendation is made because raw, they may be contaminated with bacteria and viruses that cause food poisoning.


Deep-sea fish, such as tuna and salmon, should be avoided as they contain high levels of mercury, a substance harmful to the fetus' nervous system and brain development.

Certain types of fish used in sushi should also be avoided due to the large amount of mercury. Canned tuna in the light version usually has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but should still be consumed in moderation.

5? Caffeine

Caffeine is naturally found in coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate and some medicines. Although most studies show that caffeine consumption during pregnancy is not related to malformation and fetal abnormalities, others show that caffeine consumption may be related to miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy, premature birth, low birth weight. at birth, and withdrawal symptoms in newborns.

It also increases the production of stress hormones, causing compression of the uterine blood vessels, which may temporarily reduce the amount of oxygen sent to the fetus. Therefore, the safest is to avoid caffeine until the birth of the baby.

6? Artificial sweeteners

Ideally, avoid the use of sweeteners and replace with sugar, but always in moderation. Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should also avoid saccharin, giving preference to sucralose and stevia. In case of diabetes, the best option is to use aspartame respecting the daily limit of 40mg per kg of weight.

Pregnancy Fitness and Food: You Don’t Need to Eat for Two | Kaiser Permanente (April 2024)


  • Pregnancy
  • 1,230