Pregnancy-Prohibited Eats: What Not to Consume When Expecting
Look, when you're knocked up, it's essential to watch what you eat and drink. Sure, a healthy diet is crucial for your wellbeing and the baby's development. But there are some foods and drinks you gotta steer clear of.
First off, stay away from fish with high levels of mercury like bigeye tuna, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, shark, and swordfish. Chowin' down on too much mercury can result in brain damage or developmental delays for your little one.
Next, avoid raw or undercooked meat and fish. These bad boys can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can give you a nasty case of food poisoning and potentially harm your baby. That means saying no to sushi, sashimi, any raw fish, shellfish, and rare, medium-rare, or medium meat like steak and hamburgers.
對了，raw or runny eggs are a big no-no too. By consuming raw eggs, you risk exposure to Salmonella, which can lead to serious problems like sepsis and even cross the placenta to infect the fetus. So, ditch homemade Caesar dressing, mayo, Hollandaise or béarnaise sauce, uncooked cake batter, cookie dough, Homemade royal or meringue icing, mousse, and tiramisu.
Processed meats should also be avoided because they carry a higher risk of the dangerous Listeria bacteria. These little buggers can cause similar flu-like symptoms or no symptoms in you, but they can severely impact your growing fetus, potentially resulting in preterm delivery, miscarriage, or fetal death. So, avoid lunch meats, fermented or dry sausages, refrigerated paté or meat spreads.
Soft cheeses, like brie, camembert, and feta, are more likely to be unpasteurized and should be given a miss since unpasteurized products can put you at risk for Listeria. Stick to pasteurized varieties.
Unpasteurized juices are another no-go since they may contain bacteria and should be avoided. Look for the label that says "pasteurized" to make sure you're in the clear.
Lastly, alcohol shouldn't come as a surprise. Drinking while you're pregnant can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which is a severe condition with lifelong consequences, including behavioral, physical, and learning problems. It can also result in birth defects affecting your child's heart, eyes, bones, ears, and kidneys.
Moreover, be mindful of your salt and caffeine intake. Too much salt can cause your blood pressure to rise, increasing your risk for preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and swelling due to fluid retention. And caffeine may interfere with your baby's growth by tightening up the blood vessels in your uterus. Best to stick to no more than 200 mg of caffeine per day, which is about two cups of coffee.
When focusing on women's health during pregnancy, it's essential to navigate certain food and drink choices carefully. For example, avoid fish with high mercury levels such as bigeye tuna, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, shark, and swordfish. Additionally, raw or undercooked meat and fish, raw or runny eggs, processed meats, soft cheeses like brie, camembert, and feta, and unpasteurized juices should be avoided to prevent foodborne illnesses or the potential harm to the developing baby. Lastly, limit alcohol consumption as it can potentially lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other lifelong consequences. Besides, be mindful of your salt and caffeine intake, as excessive amounts can pose risks for preeclampsia and interfere with your baby's growth. Therefore, overall health and wellness, workplace-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, skin-care, and nutrition play a crucial role in supporting the health of both the mother and baby during pregnancy.
