What foods to stay away from while pregnant
Pregnancy is the perfect time to rethink what’s on your plate. You already know you should eat healthy, get plenty of protein, iron and folic acid, but it’s also important to know what foods to stay away from while pregnant.
For your baby’s development and your own peace of mind, find out which everyday favorites might need a little break.
1-Limit saturated fats and trans fats while pregnant
Saturated and trans fats (also called trans-fatty acids) are especially harmful since they have a double effect: not only do they increase LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol levels, but they also reduce the HDL (the “good”) cholesterol levels.
Trans fats are commonly found in industrially processed foods made with vegetable oils, such as French fries, potato chips, fried chicken, cookies, donuts, and other baked goods. These fats should be avoided or limited during pregnancy.
2-Cut back on salt and sugar while pregnant
Swapping some foods that are high in sugar and salt will be good for you and your baby: e.g., sugary snacks, candies, ice cream, sweetened sodas, sausages, bacon, cheese and pizza.
High intake of added sugars during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes, excessive weight gain, and can negatively impact your baby’s metabolic and cognitive development.
3-List of foods to stay away from while pregnant
During pregnancy, your body works hard to nourish both you and your growing baby. While most foods are safe and healthy, some can pose risks if eaten too often or in large amounts. Below you’ll find a list of foods to limit during pregnancy to help support your health and your baby’s development.
Think twice before eating fast food during pregnancy
Eating fast food occasionally is generally safe during pregnancy, but regular consumption is discouraged because it lacks essential nutrients and carries several health risks. Fast food is typically low in critical nutrients like folate, iron, calcium, and fiber needed for fetal development.
Potential long-term effects on the child: High maternal intake of sugar and junk food during pregnancy has been associated with a higher risk of childhood obesity, allergies, and asthma.
Learn how to build a safe, balanced pregnancy diet that meets your and your baby’s nutritional needs.
References:
Hu Z, Tylavsky FA, Kocak M, Fowke JH, Han JC, Davis RL, LeWinn KZ, Bush NR, Sathyanarayana S, Karr CJ, Zhao Q. Effects of Maternal Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy on Early Childhood Growth Trajectories and Obesity Risk: The CANDLE Study. Nutrients. 2020 Feb 13;12(2):465. doi: 10.3390/nu12020465. PMID: 32069778; PMCID: PMC7071328.
Goran MI, Plows JF, Ventura EE. Effects of consuming sugars and alternative sweeteners during pregnancy on maternal and child health: evidence for a secondhand sugar effect. Proc Nutr Soc. 2019 Aug;78(3):262-271. doi: 10.1017/S002966511800263X. Epub 2018 Dec 3. PMID: 30501650; PMCID: PMC7441786.
