12 Foods that are prohibited for pregnant women, and their dangers

Pregnant women, of course, always want to provide the best for their future baby, even when they are still in the womb One of the most important efforts to achieve this goal is to maintain food choices for pregnant women every day. However, on the other hand, there are a number of foods and drinks that are prohibited for mothers during pregnancy. What are the list of dietary restrictions that should not be eaten by mothers while pregnant? The following is the review.

List of foods that are prohibited for pregnant women

Various foods that will be mentioned below are prohibited for mothers during pregnancy because they are thought to have harmful effects on the fetus in the womb.

In fact, some of these dietary restrictions can cause poisoning in pregnant women.

The following are various dietary restrictions that should be avoided or should not be eaten when the mother is pregnant:

1. Fish that are high in mercury

Fish and aquatic animals (seafood a) others are a source of protein and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Both of these nutrients are good for baby development.

However, the FDA as the Food and Drug Administration in the United States classifies several types seafood as food that is prohibited for pregnant women because it contains mercury.

In fact, almost all fish and aquatic animals contain mercury.

This is because these chemical compounds are the waste that most pollutes the waters and is a food taboo for pregnant women.

It's just that there are several types of fish that have the highest mercury content so they are classified as prohibited foods during pregnancy.

Types of fish high in mercury that are considered dietary restrictions for pregnant women are sharks, king mackerel, and tuna bigeye, swordfish or swordfish, and yellowfin tuna.

These fish may rarely be traded in Indonesia, but it doesn't hurt to know the types of food that are prohibited for pregnant women.

Several types seafood others that are more common in Indonesia are also reported to have high levels of mercury (not as high as the fish mentioned above) and include dietary restrictions for pregnant women.

The types of fish that are included in it are shrimp, salmon, tuna, sardines, catfish , bilis, tilapia (tilapia), and fish trout.

The bigger the fish, the more mercury it contains.

Fish with mercury content is a food that should not be eaten during pregnancy because it can interfere with the baby's brain development.

So, you should consume these fish a maximum of only 2 times per week. No wonder that this type of food is a dietary taboo for pregnant women.

2. Sushi

For those of you who are fans of sushi and sashimi, it's best if you stop eating these Japanese specialties during pregnancy.

Sushi and sashimi are included in the list of dietary restrictions that are prohibited for mothers during pregnancy.

Seafood raw or undercooked can harm the fetus because sometimes there are parasitic worms in the meat.

Even, seafood raw or undercooked can be even more dangerous if the preparation and preparation process is not sterile.

Therefore, it is best to avoid raw fish and shellfish as they are commonly found in sushi and sashimi. This is what makes sushi a food that should not be eaten while pregnant.

We recommend that you cook the fish, shrimp, lobster and clams until they are perfectly cooked.

3. Steak is half cooked

Steak is actually not a problem for pregnant women to eat. However, steak can be one type of food that is prohibited for mothers during pregnancy if the meat is not cooked properly.

People's tastes when enjoying steak can vary.

Some are accustomed to the level of maturity rare (raw), medium rare (half-baked), medium well (slightly ripe), and well done (perfectly cooked).

From a culinary perspective itself, a delicious steak is cooked medium rare .

However, steak with a level of maturity medium rare aka half cooked is a dietary taboo for pregnant women.

Meat that is not fully cooked is likely to still contain toxoplasmosis parasites that are harmful to the fetus.

Not only beef, chicken, birds, turkey, and half-cooked duck are also prohibited foods for pregnant women.

Try to cook the meat until it's perfectly cooked well done until dry and there is no red liquid.

If necessary, use a cooking thermometer to check the doneness of the meat.

4. Soft-boiled eggs

Boiled eggs and ½ or ¾ cooked beef eye eggs are prohibited foods for pregnant women.

This is because these immature eggs generally still contain active Salmonella bacteria which can infect you and the fetus in the womb.

Another reason that undercooked boiled eggs is prohibited food for pregnant women is the risk of carrying Salmonella infection.

Salmonella infection can later cause vomiting (vomiting and diarrhea).

In rare cases, Salmonella bacteria can cause amniotic fluid infection. Although rare, this infection can cause miscarriage.

For the fetus, Salmonella infection is equally dangerous. Salmonella can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, but this is also very rare.

This is the reason why undercooked eggs are among the foods that should not be eaten while pregnant.

To be safe, avoid eating undercooked eggs or eating foods that contain raw or undercooked eggs.

Cook the eggs until they're cooked through so that the yolks and whites appear firm.

5. Raw milk

Milk is also included in the list of foods and drinks that are taboo for pregnant women.

That is why there is milk for pregnant women to help supplement the nutritional needs of pregnant women.

However, pregnant women should not drink any milk.

Animal milk that is still raw and not pasteurized is included in beverages and foods that are prohibited for pregnant women.

Pasteurization is a process of heating for a few seconds to kill the bacteria in the milk.

Raw milk can cause poisoning because it may still have bacteria in it.

Avoid drinking raw, unpasteurized whole milk, be it cow's milk, goat's milk, or other raw dairy animals because it is dangerous for the body of pregnant women.

The bacteria contained in unpasteurized milk can harm the fetus in the womb.

Milk that is not considered a prohibited food for pregnant women is milk that has been pasteurized beforehand so that it is safe to drink.

6. Too much offal

Pregnant women can actually eat offal such as chicken liver, beef liver, chicken gizzard, chicken heart, and others.

It's just that, launching from Pregnancy Birth and Baby, offal can be prohibited food for pregnant women if eaten too much and often.

This is because offal contains a lot of vitamin A. Vitamin A is good, but excessive consumption of vitamin A can harm the fetus.

7. Too much caffeine

Caffeine is one of the list of taboo drinks for pregnant women, especially if the consumption is excessive.

This is because caffeine can cross the placenta and cause disturbances in the baby's heart rate.

It's best to limit your consumption of drinks and foods that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks during pregnancy.

You can also replace dietary restrictions for pregnant women on this one with something healthier, such as fruits and vegetables.

8. Alcohol

Although not including food, alcohol is classified as a drink that is prohibited for pregnant women. Pregnant women who drink alcohol are at risk of miscarriage and stillbirth (stillbirth) higher.

Drinking even a little alcohol can have an impact on your baby's brain development.

Alcohol is prohibited from being consumed by pregnant women because it can cause it fetal alcohol syndrome .

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a syndrome that can cause facial deformities, heart defects, and mental retardation of children since in the womb.

9. Herbs

Food is prohibited for the next pregnant woman is something that smells of herbs.

We recommend that you stop drinking herbal teas, herbs, and other alternative medicine ingredients during pregnancy if they are not recommended by your doctor.

Actually not all herbs are prohibited during pregnancy.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, herbs that are dietary restrictions for pregnant women are ephedra or ephedrine, dong quai, rosemary, and chamomile.

Some of these types can be bad if they are consumed as drugs or in large quantities.

Dong quai, for example, can have a stimulant effect on the uterus that can cause contractions.

It is advisable to drink tea from ordinary tea leaves first instead of having to consume herbal teas.

Pregnant women should also consult a doctor when using any type of herbal. This is to equalize opinions about dietary restrictions for pregnant women between doctors and patients.

10. Fast food

Like it or not, fast food (fast food) such as burgers, french fries, and fried chicken (fried chicken) also includes foods that should not be eaten too often while pregnant.

This is because fast food contains trans fats which can increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, the size of the fetus is too large (macrosomia).