What Foods Should be Avoided in Early Pregnancy?

The first months of pregnancy are a crucial period for the baby's growth, and it is essential for the pregnant woman to follow a balanced and nutritious diet to meet her baby's needs. Therefore, adjustments should be made to the diet, including consuming larger quantities of some foods and avoiding others. So, what foods and beverages should be avoided for pregnant women in the first months? Keep reading to find out the details.

What foods should be avoided in early pregnancy?

The list of foods that should be avoided for pregnant women in the first months includes those that increase the risk of infection, contain substances harmful to the baby, and are generally unhealthy. Here is a list of these foods:

• Some types of fish

While fish is an important part of a healthy diet for pregnant women, some types contain high levels of mercury, such as shark, tuna, king mackerel, swordfish, and marlin, which pregnant and breastfeeding women should completely avoid.

Mercury is a highly toxic element that can affect your nervous, immune, and renal systems, as well as overall fetal development, leading to serious problems. Mercury is found in polluted waters and can accumulate in large quantities in large marine fish, so it is necessary to avoid consuming them.

It is also necessary to avoid raw or undercooked fish during pregnancy, such as sushi and shellfish, as they contain high levels of bacteria and parasites that can cause infections and inflammation that may pass through the placenta to the fetus, increasing the risk of premature birth or miscarriage.

• Raw eggs

Raw or undercooked eggs may contain Salmonella bacteria, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. 

Salmonella infection may also cause uterine contractions associated with miscarriage in the early months of pregnancy and premature birth or stillbirth in the later months of pregnancy.Blazma provides widal test (Salmonella) to diagnose typhoid fever caused by Salmonella bacteria transmitted through contaminated foods and beverages, and this analysis does not require any prior preparation.

• Some forms of meat

It is necessary to avoid the following types of meats in early pregnancy:

1. Raw or undercooked meats, as they may increase the risk of toxoplasmosis, threatening the health of both the mother and the fetus and leading to miscarriage.
2. Processed meats such as sausages and pepperoni, as they are not cooked well and may contain bacteria or parasites.
3. Organs like liver or kidneys contain a lot of vitamin A (retinol), which poses a risk to the fetus, causing birth defects, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

• Unwashed vegetables and fruits

Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of the pregnant woman's diet, but they are prohibited if not washed properly because they may contain dirt and germs that can harm both the mother and the fetus.

• Unpasteurized milk and other dairy products

Unpasteurized milk and dairy products such as cheese contain bacteria like Listeria, meaning that consuming these products during pregnancy may cause food poisoning (such as listeriosis), which can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth.

• Processed foods

Processed foods cause many complications as they may increase the risk of weight gain due to their high calorie, sugar, and added fat content, and excessive weight gain, in turn, may increase the risk of childbirth complications and obesity in children.

What beverages should be avoided in early pregnancy?

Now, we will inform you of beverages that should be avoided in early pregnancy:

• Beverages containing high levels of caffeine

Although caffeine is allowed for pregnant women in moderate amounts (less than 200 milligrams per day), excessive consumption may affect fetal growth. Many studies have shown that excessive caffeine intake may increase the risk of miscarriage during the first three months of pregnancy.

• Alcohol

Alcohol is prohibited during pregnancy and breastfeeding as well, as it can affect the baby's growth and cause fetal alcohol syndrome.

• Certain herbal teas

Most of us are unaware of the effects of herbal teas on the fetus, so it is essential to avoid all types of herbal teas except those approved by the doctor. Examples of herbal teas forbidden for pregnant women include cinnamon tea and Licorice tea, but chamomile tea and peppermint tea can be consumed moderately.