It’s very important that every pregnant woman should watch what she eats for the sake of her unborn child.
Eating the wrong meal can pose certain health risk to the foetus. It’s important every woman asks her doctor what foods to avoid during pregnancy.
A big part of a child’s health boils down to foods, diet and practices of the mother during pregnancy.
Below are 6 foods every woman should avoid during pregnancy:
1. RAW EGGS
Many people have the habit of taking raw eggs or mixing it with other drinks to boost their protein levels; this is extremely dangerous for a pregnant mother. Raw eggs pose huge risk of salmonella poisoning for the pregnant mother, and this could lead to dehydration and other adverse effects on the pregnant mother. Raw eggs are a common source of salmonella bacteria and should be avoided at all cost.
2. EXCESS CALORIES
Pregnant mothers should also be wary of foods high in calories. Consumption of excess calories can lead to weight gain, which can increase the likelihood of giving birth to an overweight child.
3. SMOKED SEAFOOD
Smoked seafood also poses health risk for a pregnant mother and her young foetus. There is likelihood for smoked seafood to be contaminated with listeria. Listeria can cause a blood infection, meningitis, and other serious and potentially life-threatening complications. It could also affect the placenta, cause miscarriage and also pose certain health risks for the young baby.
4. MACKEREL
Certain seafood and mackerel should be avoided by a pregnant mother. The high level of mercury in mackerel has the potential to cause certain high risk health issues for the baby; it can have an adverse effect on the child’s brain and nervous system.
5. UNPASTEURIZED DAIRY FOODS
Unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized cheese and other unpasteurized dairy foods should also be avoided by an expectant mum. They carry pathogens that can adversely affect the woman’s health and the baby’s too. These foods are prone to being contaminated with listeria — a bacteria that causes listeriosis which can cause miscarriage, severe illness and increases the risk of the unborn child having serious health complications.
6. ALCOHOL
Alcohol is a no-go for a pregnant mum. While alcohol in moderation may not necessarily be dangerous, but even doctors have reservations on how little is okay; so the best bet is to avoid alcohol entirely. Alcohol consumption can prevent foetal development by starving the developing cells off oxygen and nutrients.
Bad dieting, bad habits and certain things that can cause harm to the baby should be avoided by the pregnant mother. Pregnancy comes with huge responsibilities, and it’s unfair to give birth to an unhealthy child as a result of the mother’s mistakes. Every child deserves to be healthy.
S.O.Z