What Should You Avoid When Pregnant

Your pregnancy diet is the primary source of nutrition for your unborn child's healthy growth and development. The daily calorie requirements of the typical pregnant woman increase by roughly 300, and she also requires more calcium, folate, iron, and protein.

To make sure that your baby's nutritional demands are met, the objective is to eat a wide variety of nutrient-dense meals. You should be aware of what to avoid in addition to packing your cart full of fruits, veggies, nutritious grains, nuts, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Continue reading to find out which foods to avoid when pregnant.

Avoid When Pregnant

While being pregnant is an exciting time, there are many sacrifices involved. You are recommended to err on the side of caution to preserve the health of both you and your unborn child because you are caring for another human being during these nine months.

Does this imply that when your pregnancy test is positive, you have to bid goodbye to all you cherish? No, but you'll need to adjust a few things. Here is a detailed list of everything you should stay away from when pregnant (and things you can do instead, too).

Food and Beverage

Since your kid essentially consumes what you do, it's critical to keep a well-balanced diet throughout your pregnancy to make sure they receive all the nutrients they require to develop. In addition to adopting a balanced diet, there are several foods and beverages to stay away from.

Avoid When Pregnant

High Risk: Alcohol

Drinking while pregnant has been linked to undesirable pregnancy and postpartum outcomes including low birth weight, early delivery, and learning difficulties.

According to Jasmine Johnson, MD, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, there is presently no established "safe" amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy, despite the fact that heavy drinking (i.e., multiple drinks per day) is often associated with more severe adverse effects.Change to non-alcoholic alternatives for the time being, such as toasting with sparkling cider.

Mercury-High Fish Pose a High Risk

It's crucial to restrict your exposure to fish with high mercury levels while pregnant since too much mercury can harm your unborn child's vision and hearing.Generally speaking, a fish's likelihood of consuming other fish for food increases with size, which raises the mercury content of the fish.

Stick to smaller fish like cod, tilapia, shrimp, and salmon instead of larger fish like swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel.In moderation, canned tuna is acceptable, but whenever you can, opt for the chunk light version rather than solid albacore.

Eggs and Raw Seafood Pose a High Risk

It is risky to consume raw seafood or sushi that contains raw fish while pregnant since it may be contaminated with various bacteria and parasites that could cause you to become very ill. Eggs that are raw or undercooked behave similarly.

Make sure that all seafood and egg-containing items are thoroughly cooked, and at your favorite sushi restaurant, choose the California roll or a vegetarian roll rather than the sashimi.

High Risk: Raw Sprouts

Since raw alfalfa, clover, and mung bean sprouts are havens for bacteria like E. coli and listeria, the same precautions that apply to deli meat and soft cheese apply here as well. Avoid sprouts for the time being if you can't completely prepare them.

Medication

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements fall under one of the broadest groups of items to avoid when pregnant.Drugs that are transmitted via your bloodstream can cross your placenta and negatively impact the health of your unborn child because your baby shares your blood supply. Although no medication is completely risk-free to use while pregnant, some are essential and safer than others.

Avoid When Pregnant

Medication for acne on prescription: High Risk

If you're taking prescription acne medications like isotretinoin and spironolactone when you get pregnant, stop right away because they've been related to significant birth problems.

5 Consult your OB-GYN or dermatologist for advice on how to manage your acne while pregnant.

Painkillers with NSAIDs: High Risk

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), which include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, have been linked to birth abnormalities and harm to internal organs in children. As pregnancy progresses, the risk increases.

Antimicrobials: Risk-Based

All antibiotics have certain dangers, much like antidepressants, but some are more likely to cause abnormalities or problems than others.

8 While antibiotics like penicillin and erythromycin are typically thought to be safe enough to use (especially if they'll be treating an infection that could possibly pose a health risk to your kid), the tetracycline class of antibiotics should generally be avoided.

Beauty

Pregnancy may have left you with lush curls and radiant skin, or it may have made you appear like a wet cat. Would you want a mani/Pedi? That's okay, but not all medical procedures are.

Avoid When Pregnant

Chemical peels and Botox Injections: High Risk

Injecting a toxin into your bloodstream is what you effectively do when you use Botox for cosmetic or medical purposes. Chemical exfoliants are applied directly to your skin during chemical peels.

These operations ought to be postponed until after delivery since you should prevent exposure to unnecessary poisons and chemicals while pregnant.

Avoid When Pregnant

Risky Beauty Procedures Involving High Heat

You can very quickly become overheated during pregnant. Birth abnormalities can occur if your core body temperature rises high enough for an extended period of time. Avoid tanning salons, hot stone massages, body wraps, saunas, and steam rooms, as well as any other aesthetic procedures that expose you to intense or prolonged amounts of heat. You should use a bronzer or tanning cream if you can't live without a glow.