Hey there, viewers!
So you’re thinking of having a baby.
That’s wonderful news!
But let me ask you this…
Are you taking proper care of your health?
Exercising and eating well?
You need to know what’s off-limits.
In today’s video, we will talk about foods and beverages to avoid during pregnancy.
Besides alcohol and smoking, what habits should you drop?
Sushi?
Organ meats?
Tuna?
What about egg nog?
We’re talking all of this AND more...
Sushi
Who doesn’t love sushi?
It’s delicious.
But you need to be more cautious of it during pregnancy.
I know it sounds difficult, especially if you love sushi feasts like me.
But you have got to do what is safe for you.
Wondering why sushi is a no go?
Because it’s made from raw fish.
Pregnancy is a sensitive stage of life.
There is a higher chance of you catching an infection during pregnancy.
This is a critical time when eating shellfish or raw fish may add to the danger.
Why so?
Some of these infections can affect both the mother or baby.
Sometimes both at the same time.
Infections include severe dehydration and weakness.
In some cases, this is passed to the unborn fetus through the placenta, leading to miscarriage,
premature delivery and other serious health issues.
Do you eat sushi?
What’s your favorite sushi place?
Share your best sushi experiences and stories with the Bestie community in the comments
below.
Organ Meat
Organ Meats make for some awesome dishes.
They aren’t just delicious but great sources of nutrition as they offer loads of vitamins
and minerals.
Worldwide, healthcare professionals often recommend organ meat for faster recovery and
health.
So what changed?
Studies show that eating too many animal-based nutrients is not healthy during pregnancy.
It may cause birth defects and liver toxicity.
You may, however, choose to consume them once a week to be on the safer side.
Caffeine
Not sure about you, but I can’t go without coffee for a single day.
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages among people.
For most of us, our mornings start with a large cup.
But beware if you’re pregnant.
Your daily dose of energy-boosting coffee can land you in trouble.
The primary element of coffee is caffeine.
It is also found in tea, soft drinks like cola and cocoa.
Caffeine gets absorbed very quickly and is then passed to the fetus.
Drinking caffeine too frequently can cause a build-up in the placenta and restrict fetal
growth.
In many cases, the presence of high caffeine is held responsible for low birth weight among
newborns.
Ideally, it is advised to limit your coffee to no more than 2-3 cups a day.
Alcohol
There is a direct relationship between alcohol and your unborn child’s health.
Drinking alcohol is NOT advised during pregnancy.
Even small amounts of alcohol can negatively impact your baby’s brain development.
It can also increase the chances of sudden death of the fetus by miscarriage.
Alcohol also has several side effects for the fetus like heart and developmental disorders.
Naturally, you need to let go of beers, wines and margaritas.
Stay away from booze, folks.
Tuna
Thinking about a delicious tuna sandwich for lunch?
Think again!
There are a few types of fish you shouldn’t be eating during pregnancy.
The main one’s being tuna, swordfish and shark.
Now you’re probably not having swordfish, and I KNOW most of you aren’t eating regular
servings of shark.
So let’s focus solely on tuna for now.
But why?
What makes tuna more dangerous than any other fish?
Well your favorite fish contains lots of mercury!
High mercury levels are toxic to your nervous system, kidneys and immune system.
It will also impact young children by causing developmental issues.
Does that mean that you cannot eat fish during pregnancy at all?
That’s a big NO.
You can always go for low-mercury fish.
They are in fact very healthy, and can be eaten up to 2 times weekly.
Fatty fish from freshwater lakes, contains a high level of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega 3 fatty acids are super healthy for you and your growing baby.
But you do need to stay away from high-mercury fish like tuna.
Better safe than sorry!
Before we move ahead, here is another video you may like.
Watch and learn more about the 11 silent signs that indicate stress is killing you slowly.
Steak Tartare
Steak tartare and burger patties sure make for delicious meals.
But they are off-limits during pregnancy.
And that’s because they contain undercooked meat.
Raw meat is dangerous for pregnant women because there are chances it contains harmful bacteria
and parasites.
Eating them increases your chances of getting an infection and falling ill, which isn’t
good for you or the baby.
When you are pregnant, you need to practice extra caution.
The bacterial infection is a serious threat to your unborn and can lead to miscarriage,
neurological issues, immunity problems and more.
No matter how much you are tempted.
You don’t want cut meats that are undercooked.
The bacteria remains inside the muscle fiber of the meat.
Even hot dogs and sausages shouldn’t be consumed unless they are reheated appropriately
or eaten steaming hot.
Egg Nog
Another favorite.
Eggs are easy to eat, high on nutrition and readily available.
They are highly recommended as a wholesome food, and are an indispensable part of your
daily diet.
But if you are resorting to finding solace in the classic eggnog, I have bad news for
you.
Egg nog isn’t for pregnant ladies!
You will be surprised to know why!
Eggs are totally safe when cooked and handled properly, but raw eggs are a different story
altogether.
It’s not recommended you eat raw eggs during pregnancy due to the fear of bacterial infection.
And eggnog features raw eggs added to your favorite drink.
Even if it doesn’t contain alcohol, your favorite homemade holiday drink is still not
recommended.
Raw eggs can contain salmonella and other harmful bacteria.
There is also a higher chance of infection coming from the poultry itself and contaminating
the inside of the eggs even before shells are formed.
Such contaminated eggs can cause food poisoning and illness.
Eating fully cooked eggs is the best way to prevent risk.
It’s strongly recommended you eat only pasteurized eggs during pregnancy.
Sprout Salad
Do you love sprouts?
They are filled with nutrition and offer a good amount of vitamins and minerals.
They are ideal for snacking and breakfast if you want to lose weight.
But pregnant women are often advised to stay away from them.
Sprouting needs humidity and optimal temperature.
This also helps in the growth of bacteria, which is impossible to get rid of.
These may lead to foodborne infections and the pregnant mother can face fever, nausea,
vomiting, abdominal cramp, etc.
Sometimes, this may trigger unwanted contractions leading to either premature or stillbirth.
If you’re still keen on consuming sprouts, cooking them is the best idea.
Unwashed Produce
Eating uncooked fruits and vegetables comes with a risk.
Healthcare providers recommend eating them only after cleaning them.
Ever wondered why?
The surface of the unwashed produce is often contaminated by bacteria.
This can happen during any phase, where it’s production, harvesting, processing, or transportation.
Bacteria can also be acquired from the soil.
A very dangerous form of bacteria stays on fruits and vegetables.
When consumed raw, it has the power to harm both the mother and baby.
Infected babies may be born with several deformities including serious eye or brain damage.
So for the safety of your child, it is important to eat raw fruits and veggies after a thorough
wash.
It’s even better to peel them before eating.
Processed Junk foods
Pregnancy not just invites mood swings.
It can give you some real hard cravings.
You will find yourself wanting sugary foods like ice cream.
You will also have the intense desire to eat junk food like pizza or burgers.
But since you’re pregnant, it is important to provide your body with essential nutrients
like proteins, irons, vitamins, etc.
Sadly, your favorite junk food does not offer that kind of nutrition.
Junk foods have almost no nutritional value and are high in calories, sugar and trans
fat.
This extra added sugar is often linked to diabetes and cardiac issues.
So next time, think twice before binging on those french fries.
Unpasteurized Milk, Fruits Juice and Cheese
Unpasteurized beverages like milk and juice are a playground for bacteria.
They are prone to bacterial contamination anytime.
This can lead to severe consequences for pregnant women, even causing miscarriage.
The developing fetus is highly sensitive and prone to infection.
You should only include pasteurized liquids and cheese in your daily diet.
They are the safest for your unborn.
Are you planning to get pregnant?
Are there any foods and beverages we missed?
Let us know in the comments below.
We would love to hear from you!