Being keen on food to eat during pregnancy is very important because it affects your child's growth.
Here are some of the foods you should avoid during pregnancy:
1. Undercooked, raw and processed meat
Eating undercooked or raw meat increases the risk of infection from several bacteria or parasites. Bacteria may threaten the health of the unborn baby, possibly leading to stillbirth or severe neurological illnesses, including mental retardation, blindness, and epilepsy.P regnant women should not consume processed meat products unless they've been reheated until steaming hot.
2. Raw eggs
Raw eggs can be contaminated with Salmonella. Symptoms of Salmonella infections are usually experienced only by the mother. They include fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea. However, in rare cases, the infection may cause cramps in the uterus, leading to premature birth or stillbirth.
3.Organ meat
Organ meat is a great source of several nutrients. These include iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and copper, all of which are good for an expectant mother and her child. However, eating too much animal-based vitamin A is not recommended during pregnancy. It may cause vitamin A toxicity, as well as abnormally high copper levels, which can result in birth defects and liver toxicity.Therefore, pregnant women should not eat organ meat more often than once a week.
4. Caffeine
Pregnant women are generally advised to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day, or about 2–3 cups of coffee. Caffeine is absorbed very quickly and passes easily into the placenta and fetus. High caffeine intake during pregnancy has been shown to restrict fetal growth and increase the risk of low birth weight at delivery.
5. Alcohol
Pregnant women are advised to completely avoid drinking alcohol, as it increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Even a small amount can negatively impact your baby's brain development. Since no level of alcohol has been proven to be safe during pregnancy, it is recommended to avoid it altogether.