18 Foods & Beverages to avoid during Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a crucial time for women. Knowing which foods to avoid is essential to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the developing foetus. This knowledge helps in planning responsible and healthy meals during pregnancy. While many foods are beneficial for pregnancy, there are some that pose potential risks and should be avoided. In this article, we’ll discuss the foods to avoid during pregnancy, why you should avoid them and a few expert tips!

Table of Contents

Why Is It Important To Avoid Some Foods During Pregnancy?

Understanding the reasons behind the foods to avoid during pregnancy contributes to the overall well-being of both mother and baby. During pregnancy, the body’s nutritional demands rise significantly; it requires additional calories and nutrients. Hence, maintaining a balanced and sufficient diet by eating and discarding certain foods is crucial. Here’s why it is essential to avoid some foods during pregnancy;

Foodborne Illness
The Impact of Excess Calories
Potential Allergens
The Concept of Hot and Cold Foods

Let us discuss these causes mentioned above to avoid some foods during pregnancy.

1. Foodborne Illness

Some foods, such as raw or undercooked seafood, eggs, and meats, may harbour harmful bacteria like Salmonella or Listeria. These bacteria cause foodborne illness during pregnancy that leads to severe complications for both the mother and the baby. The risks include preterm birth, low birth weight, developmental issues, and, in extreme cases, may lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Additionally, the mother may experience symptoms such as dehydration, fever, and other complications that can impact her overall health.

2. The Impact of Excess Calories

Maternal weight gain is a necessary physiologic change during pregnancy. But, consuming an excessive amount of calories during pregnancy has been linked to adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, diabetes, and preeclampsia in mothers. Additionally, it has been associated with increased risks of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children, suggesting a transgenerational diabetic effect. So, it becomes essential to restrict certain poor-quality calorie foods to avoid during pregnancy

3. Potential Allergens

Allergenic foods like peanuts and shellfish have the potential to trigger allergic reactions. While not all pregnant women need to avoid these foods, those with a family history of allergies may be at a higher risk. Allergic reactions during pregnancy can range from mild symptoms like itching or hives to more severe reactions like anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Pregnant women need to be aware of their allergies and, in some cases, undergo allergy testing to identify their bodies and decide which foods to avoid in pregnancy.

4. The Concept of Hot and Cold Food

Besides scientific explanations, traditional beliefs in India also influence the perceptions of foods that are harmful or beneficial for women during pregnancy. According to the Economic and Political Weekly, food items are perceived as host and cold. The ‘hot foods’ are often believed to be harmful to pregnant women, and those perceived as ‘cold’ are supposed to be beneficial since pregnancy generates a state of ‘hotness’, and it is desirable to bring a balance by taking ‘cold’ foods.

18 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Before exploring the foods to avoid during pregnancy, it’s important to note that certain foods may be restricted based on your trimester but could become acceptable in different trimesters. To manage this, it’s crucial to calculate your pregnancy timeline accurately. You can easily track your pregnancy using a pregnancy calculator. Now, let us look at the list of foods to avoid in pregnancy;

Raw Meat
Processed Meat
Raw Eggs
Raw Sprouts
Uncooked SeaFood
Unpasteurised Dairy Products
Soft Serve Ice cream
Soft Cheese
Processed Foods
Organ Meat
High Mercury Fish
Liver
Some Fruits Juices
Unwashed Fruits & Vegetables
Alcohol
Caffeine
Contaminated Drinking Water
Smoothies

1. Raw Meat

Toxoplasmosis is among the many foodborne diseases associated with eating raw, undercooked, or cold meat and seafood. Every pregnancy begins with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. If you are infected with toxoplasmosis, then the birth defect of your baby increases. It is noteworthy that if a mother is infected with toxoplasmosis in the first trimester, she has a 10-15% chance of passing it to the baby, leading to potential issues with the brain, eyes, heart, and other organs.

Understanding the basics of how to calculate pregnancy trimesters involves dividing the 40-week pregnancy into three distinct phases, each of three months. Here, we highlighted the 1st trimester, meaning the risk of birth defect is high in the first three months.

2. Processed Meat

Processed or deli meats contain additives, preservatives, and elevated sodium levels, posing potential risks for the developing foetus. Additionally, these are the foods to avoid in pregnancy as they are linked to the risk of Listeriosis, a foodborne infection that can have severe consequences for the baby’s health. Moreover, mothers consuming such meats are at risk of gastrointestinal diseases, leading to symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea.

3. Raw Eggs

Pregnant women and the general population should also avoid eating undercooked eggs. Eggs are a common source of Salmonella infection, a foodborne illness caused by non-typhoid Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella infection develops with symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea. Hence, it is recommended for pregnant women to avoid raw or undercooked eggs unless they opt for pasteurised eggs as a replacement for shell eggs. The National Library of Medicine suggests that products made with pasteurised eggs are a safer choice for consumption

4. Raw Sprouts

Raw sprouts, including beans, radishes, and clover, are reported to develop salmonella bacteria, posing a health risk. Harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli can enter sprout seeds through shell cracks. Once inside the seed, these bacteria grow in the warm and humid conditions necessary for sprout growth. Salmonella, known for its rapid multiplication, can lead to infection; even a single sprout may carry an infectious dose. This bacteria can be found even if you’re growing and germinating sprouts at home. Hence, it is one of the many foods to avoid in pregnancy.

5. Uncooked Seafood

It is essential to take note that not all kinds of seafood are restricted during pregnancy. Seafoods like fish during and outside pregnancy have notable benefits, which help your body to get nutrients. Mothers should limit their consumption of specific fish, like albacore tuna, to no more than one 6-ounce serving per week due to its mercury content. Methylmercury can cross the placenta, potentially harming the baby, as noted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The FDA advises to avoid the following seafood;

King mackerel
Marlin
Orange roughy
Shark
Swordfish
Tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico
Bigeye tuna

6. Unpasteurised Dairy Products

Pasteurisation is a process that involves heating milk to eliminate harmful bacteria, making it safer for consumption, especially during pregnancy when the immune system may be more vulnerable. During pregnancy, it is advisable to avoid unpasteurised milk due to the potential risk of harmful bacteria such as Listeria, which can lead to severe complications for both the mother and the developing foetus. Consuming such products poses a higher risk of bacterial infections, resulting in foodborne illnesses that may adversely affect maternal and foetal health. Unpasteurised foods to avoid in pregnancy include raw milk, raw cheese, and other dairy items that are not pasteurised.

7. Soft Serve Ice cream

Soft ice creams, particularly those served in ice cream parlours or from soft-serve machines, may pose a risk of Listeria contamination, and this is particularly concerning during pregnancy. Listeria is a bacteria that can be present in unpasteurised milk and dairy products. Soft ice cream, often made with unpasteurised milk, can become a source of Listeria if proper hygiene and safety measures are not maintained.

Listeria infection, known as Listeriosis, can have severe consequences for pregnant women, as they are more susceptible to infections during pregnancy due to changes in the immune system. Listeriosis can lead to flu-like symptoms, but in pregnant women, it may result in more severe complications, including miscarriage, preterm birth, or infection in the newborn.

8. Soft Cheese

Soft cheese, another product, is often prepared using unpastersuired milk and can cause Listeriosis. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to Listeria infection, as it can lead to severe complications for both the mother and the unborn baby. To minimise the risk of Listeria exposure during pregnancy, expectant mothers should avoid consuming soft cheeses made from unpasteurised milk.

9. Processed Foods

Consuming processed foods during pregnancy is generally not recommended due to several factors that may impact maternal and fetal health. Processed foods often contain high levels of additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, which may not provide optimal nutritional value for the developing foetus. These foods can contribute to excessive sodium intake, potentially leading to complications such as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.

10. Organ Meat

Organ meat refers to animals’ internal organs consumed as food. Common organ meats include the liver, heart, kidneys, and tongue. They are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and excess vitamin A content, which is not safe for pregnant women. Vitamin A particularly causes birth defects, miscarriages and conditions of stillbirths.

11. High Mercury Fish

Fish provides essential nutrients for a baby’s growth and development, like Omega-3 (DHA and EPA) and omega-6 fats, Iron, Iodine and Choline. However, avoiding fish with high mercury content during pregnancy is crucial because mercury can harm the developing foetus. Mercury easily crosses the placenta, and exposure to high levels of mercury in the womb can lead to developmental issues in the baby’s nervous system. Hence, high levels of mercury are added to the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Pregnant or breastfeeding, individuals should aim to include 8 to 12 ounces per week of diverse seafood options with lower mercury levels.

12. Liver

Liver is a type of organ meat rich in nutrients such as iron and Vitamin A. While these nutrients are essential for overall health, consuming liver during pregnancy is generally not recommended due to the high levels of retinol, the active form of Vitamin A. Excessive Vitamin A intake, particularly in the form of retinol, can lead to birth defects and developmental issues in the baby. Therefore, pregnant individuals should avoid liver and opt for safer sources of essential nutrients.

13. Some Fruits Juices

This is related to fruit juices that you buy during pregnancy. Whether you get them from farmers and vendors who squeeze the fresh juice or buy from stores, harmful bacteria can spread from the outside to the inside when peeled, cut, or freshly squeezed. To minimise the risk of foodborne illness, consuming only pasteurised or treated juices is crucial, as these processes effectively eliminate harmful bacteria.

Pasteurised juice is available in the refrigerated or frozen sections of stores and, like milk, requires refrigeration or freezing. On the other hand, shelf-stable juice, packaged in treated containers like boxes, bottles, or cans, can be stored unrefrigerated on store shelves, typically in the non-refrigerated juice section.

Contrastingly, unpasteurised or untreated juices are commonly found in the refrigerated sections of grocery stores, health-food stores, cider mills, or farm markets. So it is essential while shopping for such products. Another important is the need to be cautious about the juices of the fruits to avoid in pregnancy.

14. Unwashed Fruits & Vegetables

It is essential to ensure the safety of raw fruits and vegetables by thoroughly rinsing them under running water before consumption, particularly those requiring peeling or cutting. Unwashed fruits and vegetables contain a parasite called Toxoplasma, which is harmful to the mother and the baby. Furthermore, there are certain fruits to avoid in pregnancy, so sort them out.

Avoid using soap, detergents, or bleach solutions for washing produce. Use a small vegetable brush to remove surface dirt as an added precaution. Trim away damaged or bruised areas, as bacteria can thrive there.

15. Alcohol

Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy is crucial to prevent potential harm to the developing foetus. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which can lead to physical, behavioural, and intellectual disabilities. There is no safe amount or safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Even moderate alcohol consumption can pose severe risks to the baby’s health and development.

16. Caffeine

Caffeine, commonly found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and some sodas, is among the many foods to avoid during pregnancy. While moderate caffeine consumption is generally considered safe, excessive intake may increase the risk of miscarriage preterm birth and can lead to low birth weight. Pregnant women are advised to limit their daily caffeine intake and be mindful of hidden sources of caffeine in various foods and beverages.

17. Contaminated Drinking Water

Contaminated drinking water welcomes the entry of harmful microorganisms, pollutants, or toxins into your body that pose significant risks during pregnancy. Drinking and using contaminated water may lead to gastrointestinal infections, potentially impacting the health of both the mother and the unborn baby. To safeguard against these risks, pregnant women should prioritise access to clean and safe drinking water. This may involve water purification methods or choosing bottled water from reliable sources.

18. Smoothies

Smoothies are made using fruits, yoghurt and fruit juices. The fruits and yoghurt used for preparation may contain harmful bacteria, such as E. coli or Salmonella, which can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies. These bacteria can lead to infections that may have severe consequences during pregnancy. The key to enjoying smoothies safely during pregnancy is opting for those made with pasteurised juice. Pasteurisation involves heating the juice to a temperature that kills harmful microorganisms, ensuring it is safe for consumption, even during pregnancy.

Fruits to Avoid in Pregnancy

Apart from a few foods, there are certain fruits to avoid in pregnancy for various reasons. Consuming a substantial amount of fruits is crucial during pregnancy due to their rich nutritional content. However, modifying your usual fruit choices for your baby’s well-being is essential. Let us look at a few fruits to avoid in pregnancy and the reasons behind them;

1. Grapes

Avoiding grapes during pregnancy has been a topic of discussion due to the presence of a high amount of resveratrol, a chemical that may pose toxicity risks for expectant mothers. While grapes offer essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, it’s crucial to consult your doctor before including grapes in your pregnancy diet chart. Seeking professional advice will help you make informed choices, prioritising your health and your baby’s well-being.

2. Unripe Papaya

Consuming papaya is believed to induce early labour or lead to miscarriage, and this holds some truth. Papayas, especially the unripe and semi-ripe varieties, contain latex, which can stimulate uterine contractions, leading to early labour. It is advisable to avoid it, especially in the third trimester.

3. Pineapple

No scientific evidence supports adding pineapples to the ‘fruits to avoid in pregnancy’ list. The advice is due to its high bromelain content, which can potentially soften the cervix and lead to early labour. Bromelain is an enzyme that breaks down protein in the mother’s body, leading to abnormal bleeding. Notably, the quantity of bromelain found in one serving of pineapple is unlikely to affect your pregnancy significantly.

Risks of Eating These Foods During Pregnancy

When pregnant, it’s essential to be mindful of what you eat, as certain foods can pose risks to your developing baby. These risks range from food poisoning caused by harmful bacteria like Listeria and Salmonella to complications from high mercury levels and caffeine intake. Let us look at the risks associated with eating foods that are avoided in pregnancy;

1. Toxoplasmosis
2. Salmonella
3. Mercury
4. Vitamin A
5. Listeriosis

1. Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, commonly found in soil, contaminated water, and undercooked meat. While a healthy immune system can usually fend off the infection, it poses a significant risk during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman becomes infected for the first time during pregnancy, there’s a risk of passing the infection to the developing foetus, leading to severe complications. Toxoplasmosis can cause intellectual disabilities, vision problems, and seizures in the newborn.