Foods to Avoid with an Unplanned Pregnancy
Foods to Avoid with an Unplanned Pregnancy
One of the most important things to know when it comes to dealing with an unplanned pregnancy is how to properly fuel your body. Knowing which foods are good and which are bad will help not only your baby’s development, but also your own nutritional wellbeing. When your body is nourished and properly fueled you will be able to sustain a healthy life during your pregnancy and that will result in less stress and more peace of mind!
Now, you’re probably wondering what foods to avoid with an unplanned pregnancy in order to provide yourself and your unborn baby with a healthy and balanced diet. We know it can be overwhelming, but this is one thing you won’t have to worry about, as we’ve laid out a few examples of foods that can be harmful during your pregnancy below.
Disclaimer:The information in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not meant to be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor, OBGYN and nutritionist if you have any questions or concerns about your specific pregnancy and health history.
Fish
While fish can provide a valuable protein source, it is important to keep a close eye on the nutritional contents of it and the way it is cooked during your pregnancy. One of the most important factors of fish to look at is the mercury content. Fish with a high concentration of mercury can pose a danger to you and your baby due to the risk of damaging your body’s vital systems, which keep you healthy. One example of a high-mercury fish is tuna, so limiting your consumption of tuna and other fish with similar properties can be beneficial throughout the duration of your pregnancy. This isn’t to say you have to cut out these fish altogether, but rather cutting down to around twice a week is a manageable and healthy way to enjoy these fish while pregnant.
Another risk involved in fish is the cooking process. Eating undercooked fish can pose serious risks to your health and the health of your baby. Raw fish or fish that is not properly cooked can contain contaminants like harmful bacteria and this can spell trouble during your pregnancy.
Meat
Another food to be cautious of during pregnancy is meat. While meat that is properly cooked and not processed is perfectly fine to consume during pregnancy, like fish, the cooking process and quality of the meat is important to take note of. Eating undercooked or raw meat is dangerous whether you’re pregnant or not. However, with an unplanned pregnancy, the risk is even greater. Ingesting undercooked meat can lead to an excess of bacteria in your body, which can result in several different types of infection and pose harmful risks to you and your baby. In severe cases, bacteria may lead to stillbirth or possible irreversible neurological damages.
Another risk that comes with consuming meat is the way that it is processed. This is mainly a concern with food such as hotdogs, processed deli meats and other lunch meats. Because these types of meats are not naturally occurring, they need to be processed and prepared in order to be safe to consume, however, these processing practices may cause these products to become dangerous to your baby as they can become breeding grounds for different bacteria.
Caffeine
For most of us, a daily cup (or two) of coffee is something that we look forward to as a part of our morning routine. However, oftentimes, too much caffeine consumption can pose serious health risks to your baby. The recommended caffeine intake for a pregnant woman is no more than 200 mg per day, as this substance is very easily absorbed into the body and can, thus, pass easily from you onto your baby via the placenta.
Developing babies do not have the necessary enzymes to break down the contents of caffeine in order to pass it through their systems safely. The result of this lack of enzymes paired with an excess of caffeine is a build up that can lead to stunts in your baby’s development and even low birthweight at the time of delivery. A low birthweight can oftentimes be a gateway to many other problems for your baby, such as chronic diseases that can follow them through to adulthood.
A proactive way to avoid these possible complications is to limit your caffeine intake during pregnancy, setting your baby up for the best possible life even before they are born and adopted!
Poorly Washed Produce
Fresh produce often comes along with all of the pesticides used in the growing process, which will put your baby at risk for health complications. The best way to avoid this is to thoroughly wash your produce before you eat it. Fresh produce is a healthy way to gain necessary nutrients that your body needs, so they are a great staple for any diet. However, it is always a good idea to wash them first in order to get rid of all of the leftover chemicals and bacteria.
One possible outcome of eating unwashed produce while pregnant is a parasite called Toxoplasma, which is very harmful to both yourself and your baby. Babies who are infected with Toxoplasma before birth may develop severe and lifelong complications, such as blindness or severe developmental disabilities. Your baby may also be born with brain damage as a result of this parasite.
Healthy fruits and vegetables are an important part of your diet, and so rinsing them before you consume them should always be too! This simple step can help to ensure that your baby develops into a healthy and happy adult.
Foods to Avoid with an Unplanned Pregnancy
It is always important to make sure your body is properly nourished and satisfied. However, remember, with pregnancy, the foods you eat no longer affect just you, but your unborn baby as well. This is why it is important to know what foods to avoid with an unplanned pregnancy to ensure that you are always doing what is best for your baby, even before they are born!
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Meet the Author: Katie Dee is a resident of Long Island, New York and member of the 2020 graduating class of State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta. She completed her bachelor’s degree in English, dedicating a year to family studies.
Katie has hands-on classroom experience in the field of writing, editing and child and family studies. Her experience, in both the writing field and that of family studies, gives her a unique perspective in her pieces centered around the field of adoption.