Fruits to Avoid during Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful and sensitive phases in a woman’s life. Every step or act that a pregnant woman indulges in affects her unborn child too. This is why doctors advise pregnant women to pay special attention to their diet. If you are pregnant then your friends and well wishers might advise you to consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. While fruits are a rich source of dietary fibre and essential vitamins some of them contain components that have a negative effect on pregnant women. So it is better to know which fruits to avoid during pregnancy in order to prevent any complications. In this articleUnripe or Semi-Ripe PapayaGrapesPineappleOther FruitsGeneral Guidelines for Fruit ConsumptionUnripe or Semi-Ripe PapayaWomen from third world countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India have been using Papaya for ages as abortifacient (substance instigating abortion). There existed the ancient practice of applying unripe papaya paste to the uterus in order to stimulate immediate contractions. Papaya fruit has elements in it that brings on premature labour and hence causes abortion.Scientific Research from Food and Drug Research Agency (FDA) USA shows that unripe and raw papaya has high concentration of Latex which brings on Uterine Contractions. Papaya seeds contain the enzyme Papain which apart from being a parasite killer is a muscle contractor and brings on labour pain.Unripe or raw papaya should definitely not be consumed during pregnancy. According to some experts, there is no harm in eating completely ripe papaya in moderation after the first trimester. But if you have a family history of miscarriages or if you have had difficulty conceiving yourself then doctors advise avoiding the consumption of Papaya altogether. Once the delivery is over lactating women are advised to sip ripe papaya and honey smoothie as this promotes the production of antioxidants.GrapesMedical practitioners strictly advise pregnant women against consuming grapes especially if they are in their first or last trimester. Grapes have high heat content and so do raisins (dried grapes). The excessive consumption of grapes can cause indigestion and heart burn and pregnant women are predisposed to both conditions. Loose motion and diarrhoea in pregnant women may cause dangerous side effects in pregnancy due to heavy fluid loss. Research done by American Food and Drug Administration shows that Grapes contain Resveratrol in high quantities and this chemical can cause blood toxicity in pregnant women. Consuming grapes or raisins in moderate very little quantity may not have any harmful effects. But, doctors say that the risks associated with high consumption of grapes outweigh any advantages they may offer as high sources of Vitamin C and A.PineapplePregnant women are ill advised to consume Pineapple during pregnancy as Pineapples contain a substance called Bromelain which leads to the softening of the cervix. Premature softening of the cervix will lead to uterine dilation and spontaneous abortion. This is why it is specifically important to avoid consuming Pineapple during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, some doctors opine that Pineapple in moderate quantities will not affect the pregnant woman in any way if she is in her third or last trimester.Other FruitsApart from above mentioned fruits dates and jackfruit are also the ones to be avoided during pregnancy. Dates and jackfruit are heat inducing fruits by nature and excessive consumption of these fruits may even cause miscarriage.Please do not include these fruits in your diet without consulting your doctor.General Guidelines for Fruit ConsumptionUnwashed fruits contain a lot of surface bacteria that can affect the health of your unborn baby. So never consume unwashed fruit. Fruits which have been left cut open are also rich in Bacteria so avoid having them.Doctors advise peeling away the skin of commercially available fruits before consuming them. This is because the skin contains residues of colouring agents and pesticides which do not go away by mere washing. Either get your fruits from an organic farm or peel them before you eat.If you are diabetic and pregnant then consult your doctor for a list of fruits that are low on sugar and an appropriate diet chart. High blood sugar (fruits contain high fructose generally) can affect the unborn baby.Stay safe and have a happy pregnancy!!

Unripe or Semi-Ripe Papaya

Women from third world countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India have been using Papaya for ages as abortifacient (substance instigating abortion). There existed the ancient practice of applying unripe papaya paste to the uterus in order to stimulate immediate contractions. Papaya fruit has elements in it that brings on premature labour and hence causes abortion.

Scientific Research from Food and Drug Research Agency (FDA) USA shows that unripe and raw papaya has high concentration of Latex which brings on Uterine Contractions. Papaya seeds contain the enzyme Papain which apart from being a parasite killer is a muscle contractor and brings on labour pain.

Unripe or raw papaya should definitely not be consumed during pregnancy. According to some experts, there is no harm in eating completely ripe papaya in moderation after the first trimester. But if you have a family history of miscarriages or if you have had difficulty conceiving yourself then doctors advise avoiding the consumption of Papaya altogether. Once the delivery is over lactating women are advised to sip ripe papaya and honey smoothie as this promotes the production of antioxidants.

Grapes

Medical practitioners strictly advise pregnant women against consuming grapes especially if they are in their first or last trimester. Grapes have high heat content and so do raisins (dried grapes). The excessive consumption of grapes can cause indigestion and heart burn and pregnant women are predisposed to both conditions.

Loose motion and diarrhoea in pregnant women may cause dangerous side effects in pregnancy due to heavy fluid loss. Research done by American Food and Drug Administration shows that Grapes contain Resveratrol in high quantities and this chemical can cause blood toxicity in pregnant women. Consuming grapes or raisins in moderate very little quantity may not have any harmful effects. But, doctors say that the risks associated with high consumption of grapes outweigh any advantages they may offer as high sources of Vitamin C and A.

Pineapple

Pregnant women are ill advised to consume Pineapple during pregnancy as Pineapples contain a substance called Bromelain which leads to the softening of the cervix. Premature softening of the cervix will lead to uterine dilation and spontaneous abortion. This is why it is specifically important to avoid consuming Pineapple during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, some doctors opine that Pineapple in moderate quantities will not affect the pregnant woman in any way if she is in her third or last trimester.

Other Fruits

Apart from above mentioned fruits dates and jackfruit are also the ones to be avoided during pregnancy. Dates and jackfruit are heat inducing fruits by nature and excessive consumption of these fruits may even cause miscarriage.

Please do not include these fruits in your diet without consulting your doctor.

General Guidelines for Fruit Consumption

Unwashed fruits contain a lot of surface bacteria that can affect the health of your unborn baby. So never consume unwashed fruit. Fruits which have been left cut open are also rich in Bacteria so avoid having them.

Doctors advise peeling away the skin of commercially available fruits before consuming them. This is because the skin contains residues of colouring agents and pesticides which do not go away by mere washing. Either get your fruits from an organic farm or peel them before you eat.

If you are diabetic and pregnant then consult your doctor for a list of fruits that are low on sugar and an appropriate diet chart. High blood sugar (fruits contain high fructose generally) can affect the unborn baby.

Stay safe and have a happy pregnancy!!