10 foods to avoid for a healthy pregnancy

10 foods to avoid for a healthy pregnancy

Adequate and balanced nutrition during pregnancy affects not only the mother's body and health, but also the baby directly. During this period, the nutrients taken by the mother are transported to the fetus through the placenta and the fetus meets its energy needs through these foods. In order for the baby to achieve organ development, the mother must both make the right food choices and take these nutrients into the body in the right amounts.

"Adequate and balanced nutrition is important in all stages of life, but becomes even more important during pregnancy, ”said Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Assoc. Dr. Sezen Bozkurt Köseoğlu, a healthy pregnancy listed the foods that should be avoided.

Vegetables and fruits that are not washed well: Many bacterial and parasitic infections that pass through vegetables and fruits that are not well washed can affect the pregnant woman. All fruits and vegetables should either be soaked in vinegar water or washed several times by rinsing under running water.

Poorly cooked meat and eggs: 

Toxoplasma infection can be seen with the consumption of poorly cooked meat. 'Toxoplasma infection' can cause congenital anomalies or miscarriage during pregnancy. Also, since delicatessen products are mostly raw, they should not be consumed during pregnancy. It is also harmful to consume eggs without being cooked well. In this case, the risk of 'salmonella infection' increases and there may be signs of food poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Fish with high mercury content: 

Fish should be consumed twice a week during pregnancy due to its omega-3 content. But something fish. It is harmful to consume large amounts of the species due to their mercury content. Tuna and swordfish contain high levels of mercury. High intake of mercury is toxic to the nervous system, immune system and kidneys. Tuna and swordfish should not be consumed more than a few times a month during pregnancy.

Cheese made from unpasteurized milk :

 There is a risk of 'listeria infection' with the consumption of cheese made from unpasteurized milk. This may cause miscarriage, congenital anomalies or premature birth.

Excessive caffeine consumption:

 Pregnant women can take up to 200 mg of caffeine per day. There is caffeine in tea, coffee, green tea, granulated / filter coffee and chocolate. Six to 8 cups of light tea or 2 cups of Turkish coffee or 2 cups of granule/filter coffee correspond to this level. Pregnant women should limit their daily caffeine intake within these measures.

Alcohol: Alcohol consumption is not suitable during pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks.

Some herbal teas: Excessive consumption of sage, basil, psoriasis and thyme teas can cause contractions in the uterus and, as a result, miscarriage and premature birth. In addition, it should be kept in mind that green tea also has caffeine content. Linden and rosehip are among the teas that can be safely consumed during pregnancy.

Offal and raw fish: Offal and raw seafood are food groups where bacterial growth is highly risky. It should not be consumed during pregnancy due to the risk of infection.

Foods with high sugar content: Pregnancy is a condition that prepares the ground for diabetes due to its nature. Uncontrolled consumption of foods high in sugar can impair blood sugar control. The consumption of refined sugar-containing products and fruit should be limited during pregnancy. Daily fruit consumption should be limited to 2-3 portions during pregnancy.