( 14 OCT 2017 )

A pregnant lady, her weird food habits along with the cravings that she develops, is enough to give chills to the father of the child. From mood swings to different food cravings can neither be explained nor can ever be denied. A pregnant lady is entitled to consume more nutrients and vitamins from the food for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child.
However, there are certain foods that a pregnant lady should avoid to prevent any complication in the pregnancy.
Here is the list of the ten food items that can lead to miscarriage.

1. Unwashed vegetables
Vegetables are good for health, but unwashed vegetables can lead to miscarriage in the first trimester. If the vegetables are consumed without cleaning, they may lead to exposure to toxoplasmosis that can be very harmful to the mother and the baby in the womb. Toxoplasmosis might also contaminate the soil where the farmers grow their veggies.

2. Caffeinated drinks
This is a well-researched fact, and it calls to say goodbye to those morning cups of warm coffee. However, if coffee is consumed in moderation, it is fine but having beyond two cups of coffee or carbonated drinks or the chocolate beyond the specified limits can be fatal for the fetus. Researchers have concluded that caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage.
As a specified rule, pregnant women should consume less than 200 mg per day during the entire pregnancy. Since caffeine is a diuretic, it can flush out the fluids from the body and thereby lead to loss and deficiency of calcium as well as water. During pregnancy, it is essential for a lady to consume plenty of water, milk and fresh juices but caffeinated drinks should be avoided. These drinks can also lead to preterm birth or even miscarriage.

3. Mercury Containing Fish
Certain species of fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish have high levels of mercury and has harmful effects on the human body. Mercury is found in oceans, streams, and lakes which bring change in methylmercury in the human body. It is a neurotoxin and delays in the development of the babies and causes brain damage in the kids. Fishes like salmon, catfish, cod and canned light tuna are low in mercury levels so they can be consumed but in specified limits. Fishes are rich in omega-3 fatty acids; they should be consumed during the pregnancy as they are beneficial for the brain development of the child but make sure what you are eating.

4. Smoked seafood
Consumption of smoked and refrigerated seafood that are labeled by the manufacturers as lox, jerky, nova style and kippered should be avoided. This is because they contain some bacteria called listeria monocytogenes bacteria. These bacteria cause listeriosis, a situation like vomiting and diarrhea that can result in stillbirth, miscarriage or illness to newborn. Even processed seafood contains high salt that can lead to increase in blood pressure and swelling of body parts.

5. Fish exposed to industrial pollutants
Fish that are brought from local streams, lakes, and rivers are high in levels of polychlorinated biphenyls. Due to these contaminants, the health of the baby gets adversely affected. It leads to low birth weight, a small size of the head, learning disability, and memory problems.
Eating locally caught fishes like striped bass, pike, bluefish, salmon, trout, and walleye should be avoided during the pregnancy. Also, if you are picking the fish from the local stream, lake or river, check the advisories related to the water body. The local municipality, or the fishing department or health department can acquaint you with this information. Raw fish should not be consumed as they are the source of foodborne diseases.

6. Raw or uncooked eggs
Pregnant women should not consume raw, undercooked or soft-boiled eggs as they pose harm to the fetus. The reason is that they contain harmful bacteria, salmonella which can be a significant cause of miscarriage. As a matter of fact, a pregnant lady should avoid all these things to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy.

7. Pineapple
This is also one of the worst food that can lead to miscarriage. It should be avoided at any point of pregnancy. Many women consume pineapple juice for inducing easy labor and smooth delivery. This means that they are consuming a drink that could be fatal for the child. The reason of not consuming pineapple is that it contains bromelain that works to soften the uterine and lead to contractions, creating a substance that can lead to miscarriage. Thus, for the first trimester, pineapple in any format should be avoided. However, if you crave for it, you can consume it in the 2nd and the 3rd trimester but not on a regular basis.

8. Papaya
Papaya adversely affects the health of the expecting mother, especially, the raw papaya. Although green papaya is considered to be full of nutrients, still it should be avoided during the first trimester. Eating it can lead to miscarriage. Papaya contains enzymes that can lead to the contraction of uterine and thus induce a miscarriage. Therefore, during the entire period of pregnancy, a lady must not consume papaya, especially the green papaya because it increases the risk all the more.

9. Soft cheese
Cheese is not a good food to consume for a pregnant lady. The types of cheese that should be avoided are cheese Camembe, Rocopho cheese, Feta cheese, Gorgonzola cheese and cheese coming from the Mexican origin. The reason to avoid them is that they are made from unpasteurized milk which can be harmful and is not suitable for consumption for an expecting mom. These cheeses contain bacteria that can lead to miscarriage. Cheese which is made from milk that has been pasteurized can be consumed.

10. Drinking too much of green tea
It is considered as a wrong drink for the pregnant lady and the lactating ones. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding a child, you should limit the consumption of green tea up to one cup a day. Green tea contains 200 mg of caffeine which is quite harmful to the fetus.
Staying stress-free and enjoying the phase of pregnancy is the key to a healthy and successful pregnancy. Also, you need to be careful about your food.