Pregnancy changes everything in a woman’s life, and eating habits require particular consideration. We all are aware that not all food items otherwise considered healthy are safe during pregnancy. In this article we introduce 3 fruits you must definitely avoid during pregnancy.
We already discussed the consequences of eating papaya during breastfeeding earlier in one of our articles. Now, here are the answers to some of your doubts regarding eating fruits. Also, about those fruits to avoid during pregnancy for the sake of the health of the mother and unborn child.
In This Article
- Top 3 Fruits To Avoid During Pregnancy
- What Other Food Items and Fruits To Avoid During Pregnancy?
- Can I Drink Fruit Juices During Pregnancy?
Top 3 Fruits To Avoid During Pregnancy
Mainly three fruits to avoid during pregnancy are:
1. Grapes
Grape is a popular natural product. It serves numerous advantages for both the mother and the developing child. There still exists some arguments regarding eating these fruits to avoid during pregnancy. While some medicinal experts propose that you abstain from eating grapes amid pregnancy, other exhortations that you do utilize it.
Supporters View
Experts advocating for the usage of grapes argues that,
- The fruit is a rich source of organic acids, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Adding grapes regularly to the diet can positively influence the health of the mother.
- Grapes are found to help in metabolism, improve immunity, treat anemia.
Overconsumption of these fruits to avoid during pregnancy or else can invite issues. The above advantages work when they are taken in sensible sums. Be that as it may, overutilization of grapes is hazardous, particularly in the pregnancy stage.
Opposer’s View
Experts advocating against the usage of the grapes during pregnancy argues that,
- The pesticides that are showered on the grape plants to keep the insects away make the fruit inedible, especially during pregnancy
- Grapes contain a lot of Resveratrol, a natural compound found in its skin, which is poisonous and can cause a harmful reaction on pregnant ladies whose hormones are imbalanced. Resveratrol poisoning further causes several complications in the course of pregnancy.
- It can develop constipation among pregnant women as the skin of the grapes are pretty tough to be digested properly
Verdict
Whatever it may be the arguments, never eat grapes if you fall under any of the following groups during pregnancy:
- Allergic to grapes
- Already suffering from digestive problems
- Have diabetes mellitus
- Obesity
Another important thing is always to buy grapes only in their season, or else, you are eating grapes that are grown using pesticides which, no doubt, will harm you and your unborn child.
2. Papaya
Eating raw papaya or semi-ripe papaya during pregnancy? Definitely No. Can they eat ripe papaya during pregnancy? When eaten moderately, ripe papaya will never harm the unborn child.
Unripe and partially ripe papaya are abundant in latex, which triggers uterine contraction resulting in miscarriage during early stages and preterm birth in later stages of pregnancy. Even doctors prescribe papaya for inducing labor pain. Women in remote areas use unripe papaya for aborting unwanted pregnancies.
The enzymes present in papaya are not abortifacient (causing abortion) but teratogenic (affect the physiological growth of the fetus). So these fruits to avoid during pregnancy. However, there is no harm in eating ripe papayas as ripe papayas contain only a very low level of papain. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and has plenty of other health benefits.
Raw and semi-ripe papaya can cause:
- The weakening of the vital membrane of the unborn baby. The papain in unripe or semi-ripe papaya is a proteolytic (breaks down protein) enzyme causing cell dissociation. It will result in the weakening of the cell growth and development of tissues of the fetus making its entity uncertain
- It affects the blood sugar level, and it is unsafe to eat papaya if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes
- It is true that papaya alleviates constipation; it moreover cures inflammatory bowel problems. Be that as it may, these helpful attributes of papaya can hurt pregnant ladies. This surplus bowel movement can create pressure within the uterus and reason miscarriage
- Unripe papaya can be put in more than enough pressure on blood vessels, and even prompt internal bleeding and bleeding in the placenta. It will slow down the circulation of the blood influencing the development of the fetus badly.
3. Pineapple
Though pineapple is a good source of vitamins, proteins, and minerals, eating pineapple, especially during the early stages of pregnancy, should these fruits to avoid during pregnancy, keeping away from unexpected events such as the enfeebling cervix. This is because:
- Bromelain, an enzyme present in the pineapple cause the weakening of the cervix, resulting in preterm labor or miscarriage
- Pineapple has a high sugar concentration which is harmful to women with gestational diabetes
- It can also trigger uterine contractions, which are not good for the growing uterus
- Pineapple is considered a ‘hot food, ‘ And hot foods are known to cause premature labor or miscarriage
What Other Food Items and Fruits To Avoid During Pregnancy?
Though pregnancy does bring changes to one’s eating habits, it does not mean that you should resist your pregnancy cravings. However, striking certain food items off your list can avert certain health risks for you and the unborn baby.
You can also seek your doctor’s advice on whether or not to avoid certain food items. Most commonly, the below food items should be either totally avoided or consumed in very moderate quantities during pregnancy:
1. Fish and Seafood High in Mercury
All fish and seafood contain some traces of mercury. However, certain varieties can cause fetal brain damage and development. King mackerel, swordfish, shark, and tilefish are some examples of fish that are in this list
2. Raw or Undercooked Eggs and Poultry
Food items that contain raw or uncooked eggs like chocolate mousse, mayonnaise, etc. or half-boiled, raw eggs should be avoided during pregnancy. Raw or undercooked eggs or meat can contain salmonella bacteria that can cause vomiting and diarrhea
3. Street Food
Craving for that tangy plate of chaat or Gol-guppies? Well, you can certainly enjoy these food items during pregnancy, but make sure you eat at a well-reputed place that is hygienic and poses no threat to your health
4. Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners have become a household sugar substitute, as most of us believe they will not cause any harmful effects of sugar – which is mostly untrue. They, especially saccharin is particularly unsafe for pregnant women, and the solution is to have a moderate intake of regular sugar only
5. Sugary and Fatty Foods
Sugary and fatty foods like ice-creams, sweetmeats, mithai, and other sugary, fatty, and yummy treats that seem inviting to the eyes are best avoided during pregnancy. One, for all the extra weight you will put on during pregnancy, it will be tough to get rid of it later, and two, all this fatty food can cause your cholesterol levels to rise beyond permissible limits
6. Herbal Teas
Whether it is green tea, lemon tea, chamomile or raspberry tea, having herbal teas is a much-debated topic in pregnancy. Though we’d suggest that you do check with your doctor before having any herbal tea, and particularly avoid senna, wormwood, Saw palmetto as their safety during pregnancy is questionable
7. Unpasteurized Foods
Whether it is unpasteurized soft cheeses, unpasteurized fruit juices, unpasteurized dairy products, you should steer clear of all these items as they contain the listeria bacteria which can cause severe food poisoning – something that should avoid totally during pregnancy
8. Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
If you are in the habit of eating raw vegetables and cooking unwanted vegetables and fruits to avoid during pregnancy, then you need to change this now. You cannot afford to ingest harmful pesticides and other chemicals that stay on the skin and can cause serious damage to the developing fetus
Can I Drink Fruit Juices During Pregnancy?
No doubt Juicing is an acceptable dependency for any healthy food plan. It is a healthful, scrumptious manner to enhance your nutrient consumption in the course of pregnancy. Even though eating fruit is good during pregnancy, freshly drinking juice can put you liable to the very dangerous E.coli and salmonella bacteria.
It’s far stated that each raw fruit as well as greens can get blighted with this kind of bacteria and can cause harm to you and your fetus
The remedy is
- Pick out packaged juices as they’re pasteurized and are kept beneath refrigeration.
- Use thoroughly washed fruits for making juice at home.
- Never used tinned fruits. either to make juice or to eat raw.
- It’s not safe to have juices that are not pasteurized as they may contain ill-borne diseases that can easily attack the immune system of the expecting mother and may harm the unborn baby.
- Either drink pasteurized fruits or homemade fresh fruit juices.
Always eat fresh fruits and immediately eat them after cutting them. Fruits to avoid during pregnancy strictly, which have a foul smell as they are rotten. Even half-rotten fruits should be avoided during pregnancy. Always remember, during pregnancy, the immune system of the mother is weak, and careful attention must be paid to the diet of the mother.
Make sure she gets fresh and healthy food. Take care of what should be avoided and what should be consumed for the healthy development of the baby and the mother. Always consult your doctor for proper care and precautions.
