Finding out you’re pregnant is very exciting. However, there will be some changes you’ll have to make to your life right from the very beginning. Check out 6 Foods to Avoid During the First Trimester.
6 Foods to Avoid During the First Trimester
Did you just find out you are expecting? Now that you are in the first trimester of your pregnancy, it is essential to be careful with the foods you consume. Some foods are best to avoid during the first trimester due to the risks when consumed by pregnant women. Check out this list of five different foods to avoid while you are in the first trimester of your pregnancy.
Raw Seafood
Plenty of people enjoy consuming raw seafood, especially when having sushi and sashimi. Unfortunately, the raw seafood does put you at risk of coming in contact with harmful bacteria that is bad for your growing baby. It is best to avoid eating raw seafood during the first trimester and throughout the duration of the pregnancy to avoid potential exposure to salmonella and other harmful bacteria.
Raw Meat
If you like to eat rare steaks and other raw meats, you should put a stop to that during your pregnancy. Just like raw seafood, raw meat can put you at a greater risk of contracting salmonella. Make sure any meats you consume are not raw or even slightly raw beforehand to avoid putting yourself and your growing baby at risk.
Liver
Animal liver is one type of meat that you should avoid while pregnant. It is loaded with vitamin A, which may sound like a good thing, but it is not a good thing for pregnant women. Too much vitamin A can cause harm to your baby and potentially lead to damage in the brain. Even if you like it, you should avoid eating liver until you have given birth.
Raw Eggs
Always make sure your eggs are fully cooked before you eat them. If you enjoy eating boiled eggs, hard boil the eggs instead of soft boiling them. Never eat food products containing raw eggs, such as raw cookie dough. The reason it is bad for pregnant women to consume undercooked eggs is that they may contain salmonella, which puts both you and your baby at risk.
Certain cheeses
Mold-ripened soft cheeses, such as brie, camembert, and others with a similar rind, including goats’ cheese
soft blue-veined cheeses, such as Danish blue, gorgonzola, and Roquefort.
Why? There’s a risk that these cheeses could contain listeria.
Pineapples
While there are many fruits and vegetables that are good to eat during your first trimester and the rest of your pregnancy, it is best to avoid pineapples. The problem with pineapples is that too much of them can soften your cervix.
If your cervix becomes too soft, you could end up experiencing contractions. It is not good to have contractions in your first trimester because that could lead to a miscarriage. Skip the pineapple and stick to fruits that are great to consume during pregnancy, including oranges, mangos, and pears.
You should also avoid:
- Store-bought fresh-squeezed or any unpasteurized juice
- Unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Raw sprouts
- Unripe papaya
Now that you know you are officially pregnant, take precautionary measures by avoiding certain foods during the first trimester. The five foods mentioned above can increase your risk of contracting salmonella while putting both you and your little one at risk.
If you want to improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy, make sure any meat, eggs, or seafood you consume is cooked completely. You should also avoid both liver and pineapples while sticking to even healthier alternatives during pregnancy.
