Pregnant mothers should be extra careful on what food they take. Certain experiences during pregnancy might be found very unusual to the woman compared to her pre-pregnancy state. Some of the pregnant mothers would experience morning sickness mostly attributed to hormonal changes and blood sugar level reduction and some to other causes. Some may also experience “Pica”, a condition in which pregnant woman compulsively eat nonfood items (over the course of at least a month) that don't have any nutritional value, like dirt and clay. The medical term comes from the Latin name for magpie (Pica pica), a bird that's said to eat almost anything. And for some, they crave over their usual food but has ill-effects during pregnancy. Thus, it is important to know which foods are safe to eat and which foods to avoid. Some foods contain toxins which could lead to defects in the unborn baby, while others contain food-borne bacteria which could weaken the immune system and causes damage to the fetus. We all know that pregnancy is a journey with many changes.

If you are a pregnant mother who would like to know what foods to avoid while being pregnant, or simply curious about this topic, here are the foods to avoid while carrying a baby inside your womb:

1. Fish with mercury

Examples of fish with high levels of mercury content are swordfish, and king mackerel (tangigue). Too much mercury can be dangerous to an unborn baby’s developing nervous system.

2. Raw seafood and shellfish

Examples of this are sushi (traditional Japanese dish of prepared vinegared rice, accompanied with raw seafood and vegetables), sashimi (a Japanese delicacy consisting of fresh raw fish or meat sliced into thin pieces), raw oysters (talaba), scallops (kapis/kabibi), and clams (tulya). Mothers should be aware of the seafood they’re eating and make sure that it is cooked properly. Some signs to watch out for to know that seafoods are properly cooked are: Fish should look opaque and separate into flakes; shrimp lobster and scallops should be milky white; and clams, mussels, and oysters should be cooked until their shells open.

3. Undercooked poultry meat

Raw meat has the capability to cause serious damage to your unborn baby. Thus, these should be avoided as this can cause a parasitic disease called toxoplasmosis or E. Coli infection. Moreover,          eating or coming into contact with surfaces that have had raw chicken prepared on them can transmit salmonella.

4. Alcohol

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can increase a pregnant woman’s risk of miscarriage or result in fetal alcohol syndrome, a condition that can cause facial deformities and intellectual disabilities in unborn babies.

5. Excess caffeine

High caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in the risk of low birth weight. According to the American Pregnancy Association, caffeine intake during pregnancy should be limited to less than 200mg per day.

Foods to avoid while being pregnant actually varies and it is important for pregnant mothers to keep a list of foods to avoid. So mommies, please be mindful that this is not only for your own good, but also for the health of your baby. Therefore, eat healthy to be great!

AA VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot

References:

1. “Pregnancy Diet Tips: What Not To Eat” from https://www.huggies.com.ph/en-ph/pregnancy/pregnancy-diet/pregnancy-diet-tips-what-not-to-eat

2. “3 fruits to avoid during the first trimester of your pregnancy” from https://www.anmum.com/ph/en/pregnancy/nutrition/fruits-to-avoid-during-pregnancy-first-trimester’

3. “Pregnancy 101: What to eat, what not to eat” from https://www.manilastandard.net/lifestyle/home-living/272320/pregnancy-101-what-to-eat-what-not-to-eat.html

4. “Preggos, Best to Avoid These 7 Foods That Might Expose You to Harmful Bacteria” from https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/pregnancy/getting-pregnant/foods-avoid-pregnancy-a00286-20200116

5. “Pica During Pregnancy” from https://www.thebump.com/a/pica-during-pregnancy