10 Food to Avoid during Pregnancy: Exclude them from your Meal

Below are some foods all pregnant women should avoid to maintain better health. These food items must seek a place in your essential pregnancy to do list so that you can avoid them. This list of items also acts as a food guide for pregnant women so you must follow it if you are expecting your baby anytime soon.

Cheese

Some of the cheese varieties such as brie, feta, camembert, etc. should be avoided during the time of pregnancy. Results can be as fatal as miscarriage, premature birth or even birth defects. If you want to consume cheese, eat the ones which are made up of pasteurized milk. Cheddar and Swiss cheese can be safely on your pregnancy food list.

Eggs

Pregnant women should avoid raw or uncooked eggs as they contain listeria bacteria. Raw eggs increase the chances of Salmonella bacteria which causes vomiting and diarrhea. Eggs should be cooked well until the yolks turn solid. Deserts such as cakes, chocolate mousse, etc contain raw eggs and must be avoided as per a food guide for pregnant woman which you must definitely follow.

Papaya

If you are expecting a baby or trying to get pregnant, make sure to avoid papaya. It contains latex like substance which usually leads to contractions in the uterus and thus makes the process difficult. You must try and avoid unripe papayas the most. They can be unpleasant during pregnancy. This is among the useful pregnancy food tips that most people overlook.

Unpasteurized Milk

Milk provides you with calcium, proteins and minerals which are good for health. However, one must avoid unpasteurized milk or dairy products which have the chances of increasing food poison. Some of the optional non-dairy milks are rice milk, oat milk and almond milk which is safer and contain the same nutrients. You must definitely keep it in your pregnancy food list which will help you in avoiding it.

Meat

Non-vegetarian eaters crave meat and it is difficult to live without it for a long duration. However, pregnant women must see to it that they are not eating undercooked meat or any poultry items as such. The major reason why it must be avoided is because it contains listeria bacteria. Almost all the pregnancy food tips you will see will ask you to avoid meat as far as possible.

Caffeine

Excessive intake of caffeine must be strictly avoided during pregnancy as it increases the risk of miscarriage or having a baby with low birth weight. Pregnant woman should limit the intake of caffeine maximum up to 200mL or 2 mugs of coffee a day. If you look up any of the major pregnancy food chart, you will find caffeine to be at the top of foods to be avoided during pregnancy.

Fish

As fishes are living creatures that eat their own food, once they die and are ready for consumption, there are usually parasites and bacteria on them. Thus during the time of your pregnancy try and avoid fishes as it would not do you good. If you still want to have fish, then make sure to cook it up to 145 degree Fahrenheit before consuming it which will kill all the bacteria and parasites. It stands high on the list of foods all pregnant women should avoid.

Sausages

Many women have the habit of eating sausages in their meals. But during the time of your pregnancy, it is always better to avoid sausages especially those which are dry. It contains Listeria and is not good for either you or your baby. If you have a look at the pregnancy food chart, you will see it listed under the foods to avoid during pregnancy.

Allergic Nuts

Although some nuts provide you with good vitamins and essential nutrients, there are some nuts of which you can be allergic to. They should be in your list of pregnancy food to avoid. Nuts such as cashews and peanuts can cause skin allergies and rashes in your body. A pregnant woman must definitely not go through all this and take complete care of her.

Herbal Tea

Herbal tea is usually consumed for health benefits but during pregnancy it is among the pregnancy food to avoid. Some of the herbs like Senna, wormwood, saw palmetto that must be specially avoided even if you choose to consume herbal tea. But it is always better to negate any risk when your baby’s health is on the line. Even a small negligence can lead to something which you would definitely not want for your baby.

Can I exercise while pregnant?

Even if you have never really followed an exercise regime on a regular basis before your pregnancy, it is completely safe for you to start doing so while you are pregnant. The only thing to be kept in mind is that an extra consultation with your doctor might be a good option so that she can tell you the exact exercises that are suitable for you.

Exercising during pregnancy must be avoided by women who have a medical condition such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. You must get yourself examined to detect certain pregnancy relates issues such as bleeding and spotting, low placenta, threatened or recurrent miscarriage, history of early labor or a weak cervix. In such cases, exercising can deteriorate your condition further and cause complications. It is best to have a word with your gynecologist before following any exercise regime.

You might notice a brown discharge in early pregnancy. This discharge is very similar to a normal period but is very light. More than 20% women face this condition and it absolutely common to take place. There are many causes of this discharge such as menstrual hormones, embedding of fertilized egg in the uterus lining, irritation of the cervix, cervical polyp, vaginal infection or if you have conceived through IVF or similar fertilization methods. Exercising has no relation to this howsoever, so it should not hold you back from exercising when you are completely normal.

Benefits of Exercising during Pregnancy

Exercising during your pregnancy period can have positive effects on your health and keep you active. Majorly, exercises help in improving your muscle tone, strength, and endurance that makes all the difference. It helps you adapt more positively to the changes taking place in your body owing to pregnancy. You stand to gain these benefits with regular and proper exercises:

• Help in adjusting to the weight gained during pregnancy
• Prepares you for the physical trauma of childbirth and labor pain
• Improves your emotional aura and keeps your mood good
• Induces better sleeping pattern
• Helps in regaining body shape post child birth

Safe Exercises during Pregnancy – Top 5 Best Exercises for Pregnant Woman

As long as you are performing an exercise in moderation and with caution, quite a few numbers of exercises are good for pregnancy period. Ideally, a three day routine per week of safe exercises for pregnancy will yield the desired benefits. Exercising while pregnant will keep your heart rate running at a normal pace without causing exertion. A pregnancy exercise plan can be formulated by you that you like so that you will stick to following it religiously on a routine basis. Among the best exercise for pregnant women are:

• Walking: Brisk walking is the best workout without pushing yourself over the edge. It keeps your heart rate working without causing any discomfort to your knees, ankles or legs. A walk of 30 minutes per day is sufficient to work out for a day.
• Aerobics: Aerobics give you the chance to engage in a routine exercise and is completely safe as long as you do not over exert yourself. Remember to keep them low impact without affecting your joints.
• Swimming: Swimming is yet another safe exercise for pregnancy period. It has the added fun of more enjoyment of feeling weightless as your baby bump keeps getting rounder. It gives a good work out to your arms, legs and keeps your heart space healthy.
• Ball Exercises during Pregnancy: Ball exercises are excellent means of exercising at the comfort of your home. It improves your balance and posture and works the muscles in your tummy. These exercises are beneficial for changing the position of the baby and preparing you for labor.
• Yoga for Pregnancy: Yoga while pregnant helps to maintain muscle tone and improves your posture ten folds. Yoga is an age-old technique of maintaining health and even yoga exercises during pregnancy can have a greatly positive impact on your body. You can join pregnancy yoga classes to get the best training for pregnancy period where trained coaches will guide you to do proper yoga.

Recommended Food for Pregnant Woman

Besides following a routine of exercising, include special pregnancy foods in your pregnancy fitness plan that will help you keep your pregnancy in check and healthy. Following are some foods to eat during pregnancy:

• Eggs
• Beans
• Sweet potatoes
• Whole grains
• Walnuts
• Dark green and leafy vegetables
• Fruits

Final Words

You can join pregnancy fitness classes where experienced and trained coaches will give the best pregnancy tips and information related to your pregnancy and under their supervision you will get the best and most healthy fitness plans.