Dietary Precautions for Pregnant Women

Food is main source of nutrients for the baby. You should be very careful throughout your pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Your immunity decreases while you are pregnant making you more vulnerable to infections. Although, this may not lead to miscarriage or preterm labour, but it leads to vomiting or diarrhoea, which is harmful for the baby. A proper diet and basic hygiene standards (while preparing and eating food) can help you keep away the bacteria and infections. Let us take a look at the dietary precautions for pregnant women. In this articleRaw or Undercooked FoodRaw VegetablesUnripe or Raw FruitsUnpasteurised Milk or Dairy ProductsWhite FlourHigh Sugar BeveragesOther Safety Precautions for Pregnant WomenMedicines and DrugsSauna and Hot TubsFood to be Avoided during PregnancyHave a quick look the foods which pregnant women should avoid.Raw or Undercooked FoodCooking food kills the bacteria and reduces the risk of any infection. You should avoid raw or undercooked eggs, seafood and meat. This causes an infection with salmonella and makes you vomit severely. Listeria, food-borne bacteria, is also found in refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods like meat, seafood and poultry. Always avoid eating packaged or processed food during your pregnancy term. Beef, pork, and lamb should also be well cooked to avoid catching Toxoplasmosis, a parasite spread.Raw VegetablesThese contain certain enzymes which are difficult for digestion during pregnancy. Always wash and peel (wherever possible) the vegetables before cooking. Avoid consuming salads or raw leafy vegetables (cabbage, spinach and cauliflower), especially during monsoon. Always blanch them properly and wash them in salt water.Unripe or Raw FruitsFruits which have been cut and kept in open for long should be avoided. Instead cut them only when you are about to eat to avoid any bacteria to form. You should also avoid jackfruits, pineapple and unripe papaya which can cause miscarriage or unwanted abortion. Only seasonal fruits should be consumed but do wash them properly.Unpasteurised Milk or Dairy ProductsDrinking unpasteurized milk and dairy products, which contain food-borne bacteria, Listeria, may affect neurological development of the baby.White FlourWhite bread or biscuits made from white flour or maida adds no nutrition but only contributes to weight gain. Instead you should consume brown bread or wheat flour.High Sugar BeveragesBeverages, such as juices, sodas, caffeine and alcohol are strictly not to be consumed.Juices - Homemade or 100% fruit juices are a better option, which will provide the needed nutrient to the baby.Caffeine - Caffeine intake should be avoided throughout pregnancy, especially during first trimester. It leads to premature birth and slightly smaller-than-normal baby at the time of birth. Few babies have also been found with birth defects.Alcohol - Alcohol carries the risk Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), where the baby has abnormally slow growth and facial disorders. Later, the baby may face learning disabilities.Cigarettes - Both, active or passive, smoking should be avoided. It results in low weight of the babies at the time of birth. It also carries the risk of disorders, such as feeding or breathing problem (risking infant mortality).Other Safety Precautions for Pregnant WomenHere are some more safety precautions which pregnant women take.Medicines and DrugsSelf medications and herbs may be harmful for your baby. Always check with your physician before taking any medicines for even a small problem. If you were taking medicines for a pre-existing serious condition such as asthma or depression, after consulting your physician continue with your medication. If you are coping with severe vomiting, you must report it to your doctor. Not treating these conditions may harm your baby more than do him or her any good.Sauna and Hot TubsAvoid sauna or hot tubs, especially in your first trimester, as they raise your body temperature. Variation of even 1ºC in body temperature can affect the organ development of the baby. Consult your physician whether you should and when you should go for sauna.While all the trimesters of your pregnancy are important, the first trimester is very crucial. You need to take precautions in what you eat to avoid any health problems. Keeping a check on your diet can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Food to be Avoided during Pregnancy

Have a quick look the foods which pregnant women should avoid.

Raw or Undercooked Food

Cooking food kills the bacteria and reduces the risk of any infection. You should avoid raw or undercooked eggs, seafood and meat. This causes an infection with salmonella and makes you vomit severely. Listeria, food-borne bacteria, is also found in refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods like meat, seafood and poultry. Always avoid eating packaged or processed food during your pregnancy term. Beef, pork, and lamb should also be well cooked to avoid catching Toxoplasmosis, a parasite spread.

Raw Vegetables

These contain certain enzymes which are difficult for digestion during pregnancy. Always wash and peel (wherever possible) the vegetables before cooking. Avoid consuming salads or raw leafy vegetables (cabbage, spinach and cauliflower), especially during monsoon. Always blanch them properly and wash them in salt water.

Unripe or Raw Fruits

Fruits which have been cut and kept in open for long should be avoided. Instead cut them only when you are about to eat to avoid any bacteria to form. You should also avoid jackfruits, pineapple and unripe papaya which can cause miscarriage or unwanted abortion. Only seasonal fruits should be consumed but do wash them properly.

Unpasteurised Milk or Dairy Products

Drinking unpasteurized milk and dairy products, which contain food-borne bacteria, Listeria, may affect neurological development of the baby.

White Flour

White bread or biscuits made from white flour or maida adds no nutrition but only contributes to weight gain. Instead you should consume brown bread or wheat flour.

High Sugar Beverages

Beverages, such as juices, sodas, caffeine and alcohol are strictly not to be consumed.

Juices - Homemade or 100% fruit juices are a better option, which will provide the needed nutrient to the baby.
Caffeine - Caffeine intake should be avoided throughout pregnancy, especially during first trimester. It leads to premature birth and slightly smaller-than-normal baby at the time of birth. Few babies have also been found with birth defects.
Alcohol - Alcohol carries the risk Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), where the baby has abnormally slow growth and facial disorders. Later, the baby may face learning disabilities.
Cigarettes - Both, active or passive, smoking should be avoided. It results in low weight of the babies at the time of birth. It also carries the risk of disorders, such as feeding or breathing problem (risking infant mortality).

Other Safety Precautions for Pregnant Women

Here are some more safety precautions which pregnant women take.

Medicines and Drugs

Self medications and herbs may be harmful for your baby. Always check with your physician before taking any medicines for even a small problem. If you were taking medicines for a pre-existing serious condition such as asthma or depression, after consulting your physician continue with your medication. If you are coping with severe vomiting, you must report it to your doctor. Not treating these conditions may harm your baby more than do him or her any good.

Sauna and Hot Tubs

Avoid sauna or hot tubs, especially in your first trimester, as they raise your body temperature. Variation of even 1ºC in body temperature can affect the organ development of the baby. Consult your physician whether you should and when you should go for sauna.

While all the trimesters of your pregnancy are important, the first trimester is very crucial. You need to take precautions in what you eat to avoid any health problems. Keeping a check on your diet can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.