21 Foods and Beverages to Avoid During Pregnancy: Pregnancy Nutrition Guide

Pregnancy is a very exciting e and fulfilling phase for a woman and she needs to take all necessary precautionary measures that are best for her as well as the baby growing inside her. One the ways to ensure safety is by avoiding certain foods and beverages that can harm the baby's development or cause health issues for the mother. 

A pregnant woman should avoid specific foods and beverages to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, infections, and other complications that may come from consuming unsuitable food items. Let us learn 21 foods and beverages to avoid during pregnancy to ensure the best health of both you and your baby. 

11 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Food choices have a significant impact on the mother’s overall health as well as fetal development and can either affect or nurture the growing baby. It is best to avoid these food items in your daily diet to avoid any complications or health risks. 

• Raw or Undercooked Meats

Meat that is not cooked properly, is undercooked, or raw may be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can cause severe infections, illness, and complications during pregnancy to both mother and baby. It is suggested to always cook the meat before consumption and ensure that the meat is of good quality and sourced responsibly. 

• Raw Eggs

Raw eggs can contain bacteria known as Salmonella, which can lead to foodborne illnesses and stomach upsets in general. Therefore, it is important to avoid food items that may contain raw eggs such as homemade mayonnaise, and homemade Caesar salad dressing, sauces made with an egg base, homemade ice cream, homemade eggnog, raw cookie dough, etc. Make sure to cook your eggs until the yolk and whites are cooked through and do not consume foods that may have raw or partially cooked eggs.

• Unpasteurized Dairy Products

Consuming unpasteurized dairy products can cause serious health concerns and illnesses such as listeriosis, a severe infection that can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe health problems for the baby. It is important to consume only pasteurized milk during pregnancy and avoid unpasteurized food items such as soft cheeses. You can add many low-fat milk products to your diet, such as skim milk, Mozzarella cheese, and cottage cheese.

• High-Mercury Fish

High mercury levels are found in certain species of fish, including Shark, Swordfish, Tuna, Marlin, Marmin, and Shellfish, especially if the fish are older and bigger variety, then they are more likely to contain high levels of mercury. Very high levels of mercury can be harmful to your baby’s developing nervous system and should be avoided during pregnancy. Seafood is one of the best sources of protein and, many fish contain omega-3s, which are beneficial for your baby’s brain and eye health. Choose fish varieties that have low mercury levels.

• Undercooked or Raw Seafood

Raw or undercooked seafood can contain dangerous bacteria and parasites, which can lead to food-borne diseases and other health issues during pregnancy. To avoid these risks, it is important to cook seafood properly and at the right temperature. Some foods to avoid during pregnancy that are not safe to eat raw include sushi, ceviche, raw oysters, scallops, or clam shells. Cook seafood thoroughly before eating to prevent illness and contamination. 

• Raw or Undercooked Sprouted Grains

Grains in general may or may not suit certain body types, and thus come under foods not to eat when pregnant, it is always advised to soak and cook them in some form before consumption. Cooking sprouted grains can make it easy to digest and ingest, and you can reap its health benefits. When you cook these grains, you’re eliminating bacterial and disease-causing pathogens or contaminants and increasing their protein content. 

• Excessive Salt

Whether you have high blood pressure or not, it is always advisable to cut down or limit the salt content in your diet. When pregnant, many women complain of swollen feet due to water retention, and salt contributes a lot to this and should be avoided to maintain optimum health during pregnancy. 

• Deli Salad

Since Deli salads mainly contain raw ingredients, they are not recommended for pregnant women and are best avoided as they may contain harmful bacteria and other contaminants. Ingredients like mayonnaise, raw meat cuts, and veggies can lead to stomach upset; thus,It is suggested to have warm salads instead. 

• Excess Vitamin A

High levels of vitamin A, which are most commonly found in animal liver and liver products, can harm the developing baby and may lead to birth defects.

• Excessive Spicy Foods

Everyone has a different tolerance to spice and spicy food, and it is said that during pregnancy it reduces even more. Thus it is better to avoid excessively spicy food that may lead to stomach upset or bowel issues. 

• Excessive Sugary Foods, including Raw Cookie Dough and Cake Batter

Food to avoid during pregnancy includes ones that are high in sugar, such as raw cookie dough or cake batter. Excessive sugar intake during pregnancy can cause gestational diabetes excessive weight gain and other complications. 

5 Drinks to Avoid During Pregnancy

Though staying hydrated is a good idea, here are 5 drinks to avoid during pregnancy as they may cause more harm than good. 

5 Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy

We have always heard that fruits are good for you when eaten fresh and contain many health benefits such as antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. But when pregnant, knowing these fruits to avoid during pregnancy is important.

The Finishing Line

Pregnancy is a very fulfilling time for a woman, and by keeping in mind these foods and fruits to avoid during pregnancy you can ensure you are taking good care of yourself and your developing baby. It is advised that a pregnant woman should stay happy and rest well during pregnancy, exercise, eat well, and look after herself in every way. If you want to treat yourself to some amazing maternity wear to accommodate your growing belly, check out The Mom Store for comfortable clothing. 

FAQs on Foods Not To Eat When Pregnant

1. What is unsafe to drink during pregnancy?

It is essential to avoid alcohol, unpasteurized dairy or juices, unpasteurized kombucha, and drinks with artificial sweeteners, like sugary sodas/diet soda, during pregnancy.

2. Which fruits to avoid in pregnancy?

It is essential to avoid unripe papaya, pineapple, grapes, high-sugar fruits, exotic/unfamiliar fruits, or under-ripe/overripe fruits during pregnancy.

3. What Indian foods should be avoided during pregnancy?

It is essential to know things to avoid in early pregnancy like raw or undercooked meat, raw eggs, unpasteurized dairy products, undercooked or raw seafood, raw or undercooked sprouted grains, high-mercury fish, deli salad, excessive vitamin A, excessive spicy foods, excessive salt, and excessive sugary foods during pregnancy.

4. Why to avoid bananas during pregnancy?

While bananas are generally safe to eat during pregnancy, but some people think they can increase cold in the body and increase insulin levels, although there is no scientific proof of this.