One of the most common and widespread misconceptions regarding pregnancy is that it allows you to eat anything you want to without any restrictions whatsoever. The justification which is often given is that a pregnant woman is eating for two people. But that isn’t entirely true. Medical experts believe that a pregnant woman needs to consume nearly 2,500-2,700 calories per day, which is just about 300 calories more than the normal requirement. And again, you can’t have anything to make up for those extra calories; it has to be a combination of healthy food.
Although there aren’t a lot of restrictions on your dieting habits, there are some foods that you must definitely avoid as they can be potentially dangerous to your child. Here is a list of a few food items which should be a complete no-no during pregnancy.
Raw Meat
Raw and uncooked meat including seafood like sushi tops the list of forbidden items. These food items can cause listeria and salmonella infections. Deli meats including hot dogs should be avoided for the same reasons. Though, heated Deli meats are relatively safer.
Raw or uncooked eggs
Avoid anything that may contain raw eggs like chocolate mousse, mayonnaise, and a few salad dressings. Eggnog should also be avoided during the course of pregnancy.
Fish
Pregnant women should also be careful about their fish intake. Fish that are rich in mercury content like Shark, Swordfish, and Marlin are considered unsafe. Also, the frequency of tuna consumption should be limited to two times a week.
Cheese
Soft or mold-ripened cheese is often unpasteurized and is considered harmful for pregnant females. They should stay away from varieties of cheese like Feta, Brie, Camembert, and Panela.
Pâtes
Nearly all varieties pose the threat of listeria infection. For the same reason, they are also included in the list of forbidden items during pregnancy.
Alcohol and Smoking
It is a medically proven fact that both alcohol and smoking can have severe detrimental effects on the growing fetus. They are the first things that must be given up during pregnancy.
Unprescribed Medications
Not all medications are harmful, but it’s always wiser to consult a doctor before taking any medications. Certain medications like Roaccutane, which is used for the treatment of acne, have been proved to be dangerous for the child. Prozac and Aspirin should also be taken with caution. It’s very natural for pregnant women to binge on junk food to satisfy their cravings during pregnancy. But excessive binging can be bad for both the mother’s and child’s health. It’s not as if pregnant women need to diet, they just need to have a balanced and wholesome diet.
