Three Types of Food to Avoid during Your Unplanned Pregnancy
During your pregnancy, it should come at no surprise that there may be certain types of food you’ll crave while you’re pregnant. These cravings can be from food you don’t like, have never tried or love. Some could be sweet, while others sour. Maybe you want fried food.
Every pregnancy craving is different, but it is important that you keep one thing in mind. Some of your pregnancy cravings may involve unhealthy foods. These foods could harm your baby’s development and may not be healthy to begin with. So, what are these foods? Here is our resource on the three types of food to avoid during your pregnancy.
- Seafood is High in Mercury
Typically, we think of seafood as being healthy because of the high amount of protein it contains. Seafood also contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which can be good for your baby’s brain and eye development.
However, some types of seafood contain high levels of mercury, which can be problematic during your pregnancy. For instance, too much mercury could damage your baby’s developing nervous system. If your baby’s nervous system is not properly functioning, it could be difficult for him to do things like process information when he or she gets older.
Specific seafood to avoid includes, but is not limited to:
- Bigeye Tuna
- King Mackerel
- Marlin
- Swordfish
- Shark
- Tilefish
- Alcohol
While this is not technically a food, it’s an important one to mention. Alcohol in general is bad, as it is not only dangerous when consumed in high amounts, but it is also empty calories. Studies show that drinking alcohol while pregnant can increase your risk of stillbirth, miscarriage and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Alcohol can also cause facial deformities or mental disabilities.
If you have a drink of alcohol before you knew you were pregnant — don’t panic! You’re ok. But, the moment you find out, it’s best to refrain from any alcoholic beverages throughout your pregnancy journey. There is a lot of controversy when it comes to what is ok and not ok with alcohol, so be sure to consult with your doctor about any specific questions or concerns you have.
- Undercooked Meat, Poultry and Eggs
Consuming undercooked animal products like meat, poultry and eggs can be harmful for you and your baby’s development. Undercooked meat has the potential of leading to foodborne illness, like food poisoning, and may interfere with your baby’s development. For this reason, it’s important that all your meat is fully cooked.
If you are craving meat, poultry or eggs, be mindful of their condition. Make sure that your meat isn’t raw or spoiled. We want to make sure that both you and your baby stay healthy and safe. So, it’s important that foods in this category are prepared and stored properly.
Are the Three Types of Food to Avoid During your Pregnancy Worth Considering?
Definitely! All of these can directly harm your baby during pregnancy. Remember that, whatever happens to you, can affect your baby. We know that avoiding these foods can be tough, but it will ensure that you will have a healthier pregnancy if you do.
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Meet the Author: Jason Legasse is a rising senior English major studying at Siena College in Loudonville, New York. He hails from the Albany, New York area, but has plans to relocate to sunny Venice, Florida with his mom come Fall. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Jason plans to study General Special Education at Meredith College, where he will earn a Master’s degree and use that to teach middle school Special Education. Jason is a self-proclaimed introvert with Asperger’s who really enjoys writing. He has a huge passion for helping others, specifically those with disabilities.