What foods should be excluded from a pregnant woman’s diet?

Pregnancy is a 40-week period, with a tolerance range of two weeks in either direction. During this time, an embryo is formed from the fertilized egg, from which, after implantation in the uterus, a small human being gradually develops. The fetus makes contact with the mother’s body through the umbilical cord. The blood flowing in it transports nutrients from the mother’s body. Pregnancy can take different courses, sometimes a woman feels well until the actual solution, sometimes she experiences significant discomfort from the beginning of pregnancy. Very popular are the so-called. Pregnancy cravings, i.e. a sudden desire to eat a particular product or a combination of seemingly incompatible products. However, not all ingredients are healthy for the baby, and knowing what not to eat during pregnancy is extremely important for moms-to-be.

What is not to drink during pregnancy?

During fetal development, it is important not only what you can’t eat during pregnancy, but also what you can’t drink. Of course, the first ingredient that should be excluded is alcohol in any form. Ethanol easily penetrates the blood and is transported to the fetus through the umbilical cord. The baby’s body cannot metabolize it, and as a result it is a toxin, poisoning its body. To protect the baby from the harmful effects of alcohol, abstinence should be maintained throughout the pregnancy. Regular consumption of alcohol by a pregnant woman is the cause of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), the symptoms of which are low birth weight, craniofacial defects, nerve cell damage, and developmental delay.

In addition to alcohol, it is not advisable to drink sweetened carbonated drinks during pregnancy . They are a source of sugar, plus they contain artificial colors and preservatives. Some may also have caffeine and taurine in the formulation. Such drinks increase glucose concentrations in the body, and do not provide any nutritional value.

What shouldn’t you eat during pregnancy?

Knowing what not to eat during pregnancy is very important, as some products can harm the developing baby.

Fast food dishes should be excluded from the diet . They contain a lot of fats and are often prepared with average or low-quality products. They provide many calories, but have no nutritional value. You should also limit sweets, which contain a great deal of sugar and artificial substances. They can contribute to excessive weight gain in women, and they do not provide nutrients.

Completely exclude from the diet all kinds of mold, ripened cheese and feta – they can be a source of a disease called listeriosis. Raw meat and eggs are also banned. Meat can be a source of toxoplasmosis and listeriosis, diseases that cause premature births and many developmental defects in newborns. Bacteria leading to salmonella, the development of which in pregnancy also carries risks, may be present in raw eggs.

In addition, highly processed products are not recommended, as they contain many preservatives that are dangerous to a child’s development.

What can you eat during pregnancy and what to avoid?

A mother-to-be throughout the waiting period should be aware of what can be eaten during pregnancy and what to avoid. There are several foods and dishes that are not absolutely forbidden, but should be taken with caution and relatively infrequently. These include liver, peanuts (they may contain aflatoxins that can damage the fetus), coffee and strong tea (they can cause fetal heart disorders), grilled and smoked products (a lot of salt is usually used in their preparation, moreover, many harmful substances are contained in the smoke).

What fish not to eat during pregnancy?

Fish are valuable products, a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, protein, iodine and vitamin D. However, the increasing pollution of the environment makes it increasingly difficult to find healthy and valuable fish. Hence, it is important to know which fish not to eat during pregnancy. Certainly raw fish should not be eaten, that is, for a period of nine months it is necessary to exclude sushi from the diet. Seafood is also not advisable. In addition, large and predatory fish (swordfish, tuna, king mackerel) should be avoided, as they feed on smaller creatures, thus further accumulating pollutants and heavy metals. These compounds can cause damage to the baby’s nervous system.

What fruits should you not eat during pregnancy?

Fruits are a healthy addition to the diet, as they contain many vitamins. Above all, remember to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove as many chemicals as possible that are on their surface. Exotic fruits are not advisable, strawberries and citrus should be treated with caution – they can be allergenic and cause allergic reactions.

Read also: Cosmetics a woman can and should use pregnancy