Foods that can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy include crabs, aloe vera, drumstick, herbs, papaya, caffeine, wild apples, unwashed and unpeeled veggies, seafood, pineapple, sesame seed, sprouted potatoes, junk food, animal liver, peach, processed meat, raw sprouts, mercury-rich fish, alcohol, raw eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products.
Pregnancy is a joyful yet stressful roller coaster ride for every mother. Motherhood starts from pregnancy, the most important and crucial part of any pregnancy is to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet throughout the journey. Fresh fruits and vegetables come to the rescue always. But there are certain food items that should not be consumed during pregnancy. Because those foods may trigger miscarriage in the first trimester. Here in this article, we will share the information about those foods.
21 Foods That Can Cause Miscarriage In Early Pregnancy
Pregnancy doesn’t come alone, it comes with nausea, morning sickness, uncomfortable feeling, body ache, and food cravings too. Several women know what should be eaten and what should be avoided during pregnancy for their health and the growing baby. Let’s have a look at the food items mentioned below, which should be avoided strictly.
Crabs
Crabs are considered a rich source of calcium, but they contain high cholesterol also. They may shrink the uterus, which can cause internal bleeding and miscarriage. So, the best way to avoid it completely is to refrain from consuming crabs during your pregnancy.
Aloe Vera
Though Aloe Vera offers numerous health benefits, it has some disadvantages too. Most of the women try to consume aloe vera deliberately during pregnancy, but it’s the wrong thing to do. Aloe Vera comprises anthraquinones, which is a kind of laxative. This one induces uterus contraction and may cause pelvic bleeding. As a result, this leads to a miscarriage. However, you can apply aloe vera gel on your face during pregnancy, as it’s totally safe.
Drumstick
Drumsticks should be completely avoided during pregnancy, as it comprises alphasitosterol that is detrimental to pregnancy. But as we all know that drumsticks contain a good amount of iron, vitamin, and potassium, you can consume it during pregnancy but in a very limited quantity.
Caffeine
It’s quite safe when consumed in moderation. But it is advised to observe some restraint when you are pregnant. A lot of caffeine consumption may lead to an underweight baby or a miscarriage. It has a mild diuretic effect also, that’s why it should be consumed in a limited portion. You can find caffeine not only in coffee but also in tea, some energy drinks, and chocolates.
Papaya
Unripe and green papaya contains some laxative components that bring on premature labor. There are some enzymes in papaya seeds that can cause uterus contraction. Sometimes, it leads to a miscarriage.
Herbs
Most of the experts suggest not to consume herbs during pregnancy. There are some amount of steroids in herbs, that can adversely affect the growth of the baby. A herb named Centella can harm the liver and brain of the baby, it can cause jaundice also. Another one named Dong Quai can initiate a premature delivery or a miscarriage.
Wild Apples
Pregnant women should not consume wild apples during their pregnancy. Wild apples contain acidic and sour properties that can induce the uterus contraction. This may lead to a miscarriage or premature labor.
Unwashed and unpeeled vegetables
Green fresh vegetables provide numerous benefits to the pregnant woman. But if you consume them raw or unwashed, they may cause you trouble. Raw unwashed leafy vegetables possess toxoplasma gondii which is a common parasite. It may cause toxoplasmosis. Any pregnant woman who gets infected may pass it to her unborn child. Before consuming, soak every vegetable in salt water and wash them thoroughly under running water. Rinse, peel and cook them well. Wash the cutlery too.
Seafood
Seafood can cause troubles too. Prawns, oysters, shellfish, sashimi, sushi can be polluted with listeria. Seafood consumption during pregnancy can cause premature labor or a miscarriage. If you’re craving for seafood, then have it well cooked. Never consume the raw one.
Sprouted Potatoes
If there are some potatoes in your kitchen, that have remained unused since a long time, avoid using them. Because unused potatoes develop small green sprouts, that can be harmful to any expecting woman. The developed sprouts contain solanine, which may hamper fetal growth.
Pineapple
Pineapple is another fruit that should be avoided. It contains high amount of bromelain, which softens the cervix and triggers untimely labor contractions. This condition can lead to a miscarriage. You can consume a moderate amount of pineapple, but never in a heavy amount. It can cause bleeding.
Sesame Seeds
Whether it is black or white sesame seed, when it is consumed with honey, it can cause troubles during your early pregnancy. So, sesame seed should consumed in a minimal amount after consulting with a doctor.
Junk Foods
Every junk food offers only high calories, fat, and sugar. It never offers any nutrients to your body. Too much junk food consumption can cause excessive weight gain, heart ailments and gestational diabetes. It increases the risk of giving birth to an overweight baby. Avoid junk foods completely during your pregnancy period.
Animal Liver
Animal liver contains a lot of vitamin A. You can have it twice a month, but not more than that. Excessive consumption of animal liver can promote gradual accumulation of retinol. This condition can affect the baby’s health adversely.
Mercury-Rich Fish
Be careful about consuming any fish. Try to eat one kind of fish if you want to add fish to your diet. It’s important to avoid such fishes that contain high mercury, like orange roughy, shark, tilefish, bigeye tuna, mackerel, marlin and swordfish. Mercury consumption can adversely affect the nervous system and the developing brain of the baby.
Peach
Never consume peaches in a large quantity, as it can produce excessive heat in the body during pregnancy. This condition can lead to internal bleeding. If you’re having peaches, then definitely peel off the skin, because the hair on the fruit may cause itching and burning in the throat.
Processed Meat
Avoid processed meat such as sausages, salami, pepperoni, deli meat, stuffed and minced meat, pate, etc. These meats harbour some dangerous bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Don’t consume undercooked and raw meat when you are pregnant, as those meats can cause stillbirth, premature labor, or miscarriage. It’s important to cook the meat well and rewarm it before consuming it.
Raw Sprouts
Doctors recommend consuming cooked sprouts instead of having them raw. Sprouts are the favorite of many. But raw sprouts carry salmonella. So avoid consuming raw sprouts like mung bean, clover, alfalfa, or radish.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is not at all good for any pregnant lady. It can negatively impact the brain development of foetus. It also increases the risks of a miscarriage or stillbirth. So the women who love to drink, may have to give up alcohol once they get pregnant. A small amount of alcohol can be dangerous for your child, as it may lead to intellectual disabilities, heart defects, and facial deformities.
Raw Eggs
Raw eggs contain salmonella bacteria, that can cause nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever and vomiting. Sometimes, it can cause cramps in the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage or premature birth. Cook the eggs thoroughly and avoid poached eggs, lightly scrambled eggs, homemade mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, homemade salad dressing, homemade ice cream and cake icing.
Unpasteurized Dairy Products
There are many harmful bacteria in raw milk, unpasteurized cheese and soft ripened cheese. Unpasteurized dairy product consumption can cause several infections that can all have life-threatening consequences for the baby. To prevent the risk, consume only pasteurized milk, cheese, fruit juice, or any other dairy product.
Conclusion
It’s very important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet during pregnancy. You should add food items from all food groups to derive all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. It’s essential to consume every food in moderation. Excessive consumption can be harmful to the mother and the unborn child. Before setting your daily diet, consult with your gynaecologist and nutritionist in this regard.
References
https://www.verywellfamily.com/which-cheeses-should-i-avoid-eating-when-im-pregnant-2371420
https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/pregnant-women
