Here Are 10 Foods To Avoid During The First Trimester Of Pregnancy

Now that you are eating for two, you are probably focused on choosing wholesome foods to help you feel your best and support your baby’s growth and development. However, certain foods you may have been eating before conceiving become unsafe for consumption during pregnancy for several reasons. For instance, some foods carry illness-causing bacteria that may affect your baby’s health adversely and hinder their development inside the womb. 

Hence, it’s best to err on the side of caution during this time and avoid any items that could potentially make you sick and affect your little one’s health and development. We have discussed common foods to avoid during the first trimester of pregnancy, and what alternatives you can try in their place. 

10 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Raw or Undercooked Eggs

You should avoid consuming raw, undercooked, or soft-boiled eggs as they contain harmful salmonella bacteria, which cause food poisoning. Their consumption may cause severe vomiting, abdominal pain, headaches, and diarrhoea, which may affect your immune system and impact your baby’s development.

Instead of consuming them raw, make a hard-boiled egg with firm yolks or a well-cooked omelette.

Deli Meats

Even deli meats or ready-to-eat meats, such as cold cuts, sandwich meat, and hotdogs are considered unsafe for consumption during pregnancy. They contain the harmful listeria bacteria, which can readily move from the mum to the placenta, causing serious health complications. Instead of eating them raw, you can try cooking them at a high temperature to kill the listeria bacteria. Additionally, consume the food while it is steaming hot. 

Raw Poultry and Meats

Avoid having raw/undercooked meat and poultry, such as pink meat that is bloody as it contains the Toxoplasma parasite and salmonella bacteria. These bacteria increase the risk of food poisoning and may even cause flu-like symptoms that develop a few weeks after consuming the food. 

Unpasteurised Milk

You should avoid drinking raw or unpasteurised milk during pregnancy. Raw milk and other products account for a higher risk of food-borne diseases and have no nutritional advantage. They also contain harmful bacteria like listeria, E.coli, and salmonella that can adversely affect your and your baby’s health. 

Hence, always buy pasteurised milk and its products, and boil it at high temperature to kill any leftover microbes. You can also switch to non-dairy milk, such as rice milk, almond milk, and soy milk which are safer and more nutritious as well.

Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables

Unwashed fruits and vegetables carry the Toxoplasma parasite, which may harm your developing baby. Additionally, toxoplasma contaminates the soil where the fruits and vegetables are grown, and you may accidentally ingest the harmful microbes if you eat them unwashed. 

Rinse the fruits and veggies thoroughly under running water, and peel or cut off the bruised areas that are prone to bacteria. Also, cook the vegetables properly, especially the leafy ones.

Raw Sprouts

Do not consume raw sprouts including alfalfa, clover, mung bean, broccoli, sunflower, and snowpea sprouts. They are highly prone to salmonella, listeria, and E.coli bacteria, and can lead to severe illnesses. Always cook the sprouts at a high temperature before consuming them.

Excess Caffeine

Consumption of high amounts of caffeine can increase the chances of a miscarriage or low birth weight in babies. Hence, you must limit your caffeine intake to 200mg per day. Caffeine is also found in many energy drinks, tea, and chocolate, so make sure to read the ingredient label before consuming these items. 

Also, instead of caffeine, you can opt for decaffeinated beverages, especially in your first trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is high. 

Canned Foods

Canned foods, including sodas, fruits, and veggies are harmful for two reasons

• The lining of the cans contains Bisphenol A (BHA), which is a toxic substance that affects the fetal endocrine activity, and may cause other ailments like liver problems and heart diseases in pregnant women. 
• Moreover, certain tinned foods may be too old to eat and harbour harmful bacteria due to their long shelf life.

Sugar-rich Foods

Cut down on sugar-rich foods, such as candies, desserts, cakes, ice creams, and sweetened beverages. These items worsen your pregnancy discomforts, such as nausea, constipation, and heartburn, and can even contribute to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and increased risk of metabolic syndrome in babies.

Have these foods occasionally and in limited quantities. You can also consider switching to healthier sugar foods, such as dates, apricots, pears, and grapefruits. 

Fish Containing Mercury

Fish such as mackerel, swordfish, and tilefish have high levels of mercury and should be avoided during pregnancy. This is because the consumption of high-mercury foods can cause developmental delays and brain damage in babies. Instead, you can choose salmon, cod, or catfish as they contain low levels are mercury and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help in the brain and cognitive development of your baby.

A proper diet is crucial during pregnancy, as it combines the nutrition of both the mum and the baby. Hence, you should keep yourself well-informed about the foods to avoid during the first trimester of pregnancy to ensure your baby’s safety, and proper growth and development. Avoid eating raw and undercooked foods, and cook all the items at a high temperature to kill microbes and bacteria. Also, opt for fresh food options rather than canned and tinned foods to prevent an upset stomach and heartburn.

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