Foods prohibited in pregnancy: See which ones and why!

Can you eat Japanese Food? Is eating raw or undercooked meat contraindicated? What about carpaccio? Sugar or sweetener? Can a pregnant have coffee? After all, what foods are prohibited in pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a pregnant woman needs to give up various foods to preserve the baby's health. The problem is that the excess of divergent information ends up confusing the pregnant women about which foods should be avoided during the pregnancy period. To clarify some doubts, we talked to a nutritionist Dr. Elaine de Pádua!

Foods prohibited in pregnancy:
Raw and undercooked meat

Raw or undercooked meats are among the foods banned in pregnancy. The consumption of raw meats such as sushi, sashimis, carpaccio and rare meats, be it beef and mainly pork, is contraindicated during pregnancy. The consumption of meat with little or no cooking at all can cause toxoplasmosis, which is transmitted by the parasitic parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can cause risks such as spontaneous abortion, premature birth, fmalformation of the fetus, low weight and death at birth. After birth, the risks for the baby with toxoplasmosis are many, from inflammation of the eyes, which can progress to blindness, enlarged liver, pneumonia, seizures, deafness and mental retardation.

 

Raw fish

Raw fish is also on the list of prohibited foods during pregnancy. Contamination by a fish parasite called Diphyllobothrium latum is possible, a species of flattened helminth (platelminth), also known as “fish tapeworm”.

The infection caused by this parasite is called diphyllobotriasis. The infection is similar to that of the tapeworm solium and tapeworm saginata. For this reason, eating raw fish, such as sushi and sashimi, is contraindicated during pregnancy.

However, the consumption of baked or cooked fish during pregnancy is considered healthy and should be encouraged! The only care that must be taken is with the form of preparation.

Fish, especially those with a high omega-3 content, such as sardines and mackerel, are the most recommended. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated and anti-inflammatory fat, composed of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Studies show that the consumption of omega-3, especially with a higher DHA content, is extremely beneficial during pregnancy and provides a better cognitive development of the fetus.

Sweetener



One of the biggest doubts of pregnant women! According to the nutritionist, the big question is: all foods that are artificial should be avoided. Therefore, the most recommended strategy is: use it sparingly! The best choice for sweetening foods in pregnancy is Xylitol, due to its natural composition. From Padua it also indicates sucralose, a sweetener that despite being synthetic, is not absorbed by our body.

Soft drinks


Caution! In addition to being completely industrialized, they have phosphoric acid, which hinders the absorption of calcium in the body. The recommendation is to avoid drinking this type of drink. For pregnant women who cannot give up, the nutritionist recommends a minimum consumption and only between meals (never during a meal!).


Myths and truths about prohibited foods during pregnancy

Egg

“Another food that has already been so condemned because they thought it raised cholesterol is the egg. But this actually has already fallen and we know how important it is, especially for pregnant women. In addition to being a great protein source, it also has a vitamin called Choline, which is an essential nutrient for babies' brain formation ”, informs Dr. Elaine.

 

Coffee


Coffee is not on the list of prohibited foods during pregnancy! The consumption of up to three cups a day of the drink is released. But here's the tip: for some pregnant women, consumption does not goes well. Be careful!