What should not eat during pregnancy?

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To have a healthy pregnancy, the first thing you need to pay attention to is what pregnant women should not eat? Because the foods you consume during this time will directly affect the development of the fetus. So what are the foods to avoid?

1. The influence of food on pregnancy

It's important that you eat a balanced diet during pregnancy, which not only helps your baby grow healthy, gives you the best start in life, but also makes you feel better. However, when you are pregnant, there are certain foods and drinks that should be avoided or taken with care, as they can make you sick or harm your unborn baby. If you are concerned about anything you've eaten or drank, you should talk to your doctor or healthcare provider.

2. Food groups to avoid during pregnancy

2.1. High Mercury Fish Mercury is a highly toxic element that is most commonly found in polluted water. In higher amounts, mercury can be toxic to your nervous system, immune system, and kidneys. It can also cause serious developmental problems in children with side effects even in lower amounts.
Because mercury is found in polluted seas, large marine fish can accumulate high levels of mercury. Therefore, it is best to avoid fish with high levels of mercury while pregnant and breastfeeding.
High-mercury fish you want to avoid include: swordfish, king mackerel, tuna (especially bigeye tuna). However, not all fish are high in mercury, only some. Fish like: fatty fish, salmon and anchovies are usually very good when they contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for the baby.
2.2. Raw or undercooked fish Not eating raw fish will be difficult for those of you who like to eat sushi. Be aware, however, that raw fish, and shellfish, can cause some infections. These can be viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, such as norovirus, Vibrio, Salmonella, and Listeria.
Some of these infections may only affect you, causing dehydration and weakness. Other infections can be passed on to your child with serious, or even fatal, consequences.

Pregnant women are more susceptible to listeria infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get Listeria infection than the general population. This type of bacteria is commonly found in contaminated soil and water or plants. Raw fish can become infected during processing, including smoking or drying.
Listeria can be passed through the placenta, even if the mother does not have any symptoms. This can lead to an increased risk of premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, and other serious health problems. You should avoid raw fish and shellfish, including many sushi dishes.
2.3. Undercooked, raw and processed meat Raw or undercooked meat is also a matter of concern. In the case of pregnancy, eating raw or undercooked meat increases the risk of infection with certain bacteria or parasites, including Toxoplasma, E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella. From there, it can threaten the health of the fetus, leading to stillbirth or serious neurological diseases, including intellectual disability, blindness and epilepsy.
While most bacteria are found on the surface of whole pieces of meat, other bacteria can exist even inside the fibers of the meat. Therefore, it is not recommended to eat sliced ​​raw meat, but should be carefully processed to ensure safety.

2.4. Raw eggs Many studies have shown that raw eggs can be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. When the body is infected, symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Or in rare cases, a woman has an infection that can cause uterine contractions, leading to premature birth or stillbirth.
Most commercial products that contain raw eggs are made with eggs that have been pasteurized and are safe to consume. However, you should always read the label just to be sure.
To be on the safe side, make sure to always cook eggs thoroughly or use pasteurized eggs. Save the super runny yolks and make your own until the baby comes out.
2.5. Organ meats Organ meats are packed with nutrients, including iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, zinc, selenium and copper. All these substances are good for mother and baby. However, too much vitamin A of animal origin should not be consumed during pregnancy. Consuming too much preformed vitamin A, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy, can lead to birth defects and miscarriage.
While this is mostly related with vitamin A supplements, it's best to keep your consumption of organ meats like liver to just a few ounces once per week.

2.6. Caffeine You may be one of the millions of people who love their daily cup of coffee, tea, soft drink or cocoa. You're certainly not alone when it comes to our love of caffeine.
Pregnant women are generally advised to limit caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams (mg) per day. Because caffeine is absorbed very quickly and easily enters the placenta. In addition, infants and the placenta do not have the main enzyme needed to metabolize caffeine, so high concentrations can build up.
Drinking a lot of caffeine during pregnancy has been shown to limit fetal growth and increase the likelihood of having a low birth weight baby. So keep an eye on your daily cup of soda or soft drinks to make sure your baby isn't exposed to too much caffeine.
2.7. Unpasteurized milk, cheese, and fruit juice Raw milk, unpasteurized cheese and soft-ripened cheeses can be sources of a variety of harmful bacteria, including Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter . In addition to raw milk, cheese, and unpasteurized fruit juices are also susceptible to bacterial contamination. These infections can all be life-threatening.
Bacteria can occur naturally or due to contamination during storage and pasteurization is the most effective way to kill harmful bacteria that change the nutritional value of the product. Therefore, to reduce the risk of infection, only sterilized food should be consumed.

2.8. Alcohol We recommend avoiding alcohol completely during pregnancy, as it increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. When even a small amount of alcohol can negatively affect the brain development of the fetus. Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause alcoholism syndrome in the fetus and is associated with facial malformations, heart defects or worse, intellectual disability. Therefore, women need to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.
2.9. Processed Snacks There's no better time than during pregnancy to start eating nutrient-rich foods to help both you and your growing baby. You'll need a variety of essential nutrients, including protein, folate, choline, and iron.
An optimal pregnancy eating plan should primarily include whole foods, with plenty of nutrients to meet the needs of you and your baby. Processed snacks are inherently low in nutrients, high in calories, added sugars and fats.
Weight gain is essential during pregnancy, excessive weight gain is associated with many complications and diseases, including an increased risk of gestational diabetes, as well as many complications during or after pregnancy born.
Stick to meals and snacks that focus on protein, vegetables and fruits, healthy fats, and high-fiber carbohydrates like whole grains, beans, and starchy vegetables. Don't worry, there are plenty of ways to include vegetables in your meals without sacrificing taste.
It is extremely necessary to stay away from unhealthy foods, with many risks that threaten fetal development. Besides, pregnant mothers should pay attention to using fresh, nutritious foods to best meet the development of the fetus in each stage.
Vinmec International General Hospital now has a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure when accompanied by a team of doctors and nurses during pregnancy.

Signing up for a package pregnancy package will bring you the following benefits:
Pregnancy is monitored by a team of qualified doctors Regular periodic check-ups, helping to check as well as screen for abnormalities Fetal defects through Triple test, Double Test, quantitative angiogenesis factor test for pre-eclampsia, thyroid screening test, Rubella test, mother-to-child parasite test children seriously affect the baby's brain and physical development after birth.... Advice and guidance on a scientific diet and rest Newborns receive comprehensive care All visits Examination and care are always performed by a highly qualified medical team with modern facility conditions to bring the most relaxing feeling to pregnant mothers.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.