When you are pregnant, it is important to ensure that you are eating the right foods, and avoiding the ones that are potentially dangerous for you and your baby. While most superfoods are safe to eat and contain the vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy pregnancy there are some that can potentially cause a miscarriage. To help you and your baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy here are some of the super foods you will want to avoid.
Food That Causes Miscarriage in Early Pregnancy
Table of Contents
1. Pineapple
While some women are already familiar with pineapple juice and its reputation for being able to help make deliveries easier, these same properties can also cause a miscarriage in the first few months of pregnancy. The tropical fruit contains bromelain, which can cause the uterine lining to soften and result in a miscarriage. Most health care professionals agree that while pineapples do contain beneficial nutrients the fruit should be avoided during the first trimester.
2. Papaya
Papaya is extremely high in nutrients, and the fruit is also dangerous for pregnant women in the first trimester. The same vitamins and minerals that are normally beneficial to your health can also cause a miscarriage in some women. This is particularly true if you eat green papaya, which contain enzymes that can cause the uterus to contract. While some health care professionals state that ripe papaya is not dangerous, most experts agree it is simply best to avoid this fruit during early stages of your pregnancy.
3. Lychee
This exotic looking fruit is gaining in popularity, especially during the summer when it is used to make sweet and healthy treats. Women during the 40 weeks of pregnancy want to avoid eating this fruit since it contains enzymes that can be potentially dangerous to the baby. Lychee are known to cause abdominal cramps and bleeding, which can lead to a miscarriage early in the pregnancy.
4. Sprouted Potatoes
While potatoes are high in necessary minerals and other nutrients, the green sprouts are potentially dangerous for your unborn baby. These harmless looking sprouts contain solanine, a toxin that can adversely affect the growth and development of the fetus and cause a miscarriage if consumed in high quantities. Most health care professionals not only recommend avoiding sprouted potatoes, but also any processed foods that list it in the ingredients.
5. Wild Apples
A common misconception is that eating wild apples can ease the symptoms associated with morning sickness, but the small fruit also contains enzymes that are potentially harmful to your unborn baby. Eating wild apples can cause the uterus to become more active, and result in early contractions. Not only can it cause an early miscarriage, it can also lead to premature births later in the pregnancy.
6. Peaches
Like litchis, peaches are also considered a “hot fruit” and can make your internal body temperature feel like it is rising. This can result in pain and bleeding, along with a miscarriage early in the pregnancy. While it might be tempting to have one or two peaches, most health care professionals recommend avoiding the sweet fruit completely until after your baby is born.
7. Raw Eggs and Meat
While pregnant women know that eating raw meat is dangerous, some do not consider the dangers found in sushi. The presence of salmonella can not only upset your stomach, it can also adversely affect your unborn baby. The same is true for raw eggs that might be high in protein, but the added nutrients are never worth dramatically increasing your risk of a miscarriage early in your pregnancy.
8. Soft Cheese
Avoiding this super food can be difficult for some pregnant women, but the enzymes found in unpasteurized milk can be potentially dangerous for your unborn baby. Feta, Gorgonzola, and popular soft cheeses from Mexico should all be avoided until after your pregnancy. You can still enjoy cheese when you are pregnant, simply choose ones that are made from pasteurized milk.
9. Canned Fruit Juice
Canned fruit juice might be convenient and easier than squeezing your own, but it can also cause a miscarriage early in your pregnancy. Canned juices often contain low amounts of E.Coli which can be potentially dangerous to the fetus.
10. Centella
This leaf green super food is only recently gaining in popularity, but it can also pose a potential risk to pregnant or nursing women. It contains enzymes that are thought to reduce the signs of aging, along with helping to improve your digestive systems. The same diuretic properties that can help improve your health can also cause a miscarriage if the green herb is eaten in the first few months of your pregnancy.
11. Aloe Vera Juice
People have been using Aloe Vera for centuries to treat burns and reduce the signs of aging, and it is now a popular juice. While drinking Aloe Vera juice can be beneficial for your skin, it can also cause pelvic hemorrhage and early miscarriage. While health care professionals agree that the liquid can still be safely applied to your skin during pregnancy, women should avoid drinking the juice until after the baby is born.
12. Barley
Packed full of essential vitamins and nutrients there are several health benefits associated with barley, but it should be avoided during the first three months of your pregnancy. It has been found that pregnant women who eat barley often experience muscle contractions in the uterus. If the contractions become too intense, it can result in a miscarriage.
13. Liver
Animal liver is a popular dish in many areas of the world, and many people eat it for the high amount of protein and vitamin A. Liver is also high in cholesterol that can be dangerous in pregnant women, and the high vitamin content can also cause complications. The liver can also contain natural toxins that can be potentially harmful to the fetus, resulting in a miscarriage in the first trimester.
14. Bitter Melon
This sour fruit is gaining in popularity as a superfood and is extremely high in vitamin B, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and other essential minerals. Able to improve the immune system and your general health, this super food can also cause contractions and bleeding. While most health care experts recommend adding this nutrient-rich food to your diet, they also state that it should be avoided by pregnant women due to its ability to cause a miscarriage.
15. Seafood
This super food is generally recommended to healthcare professionals for adults and children, and it is high in healthy omega 3 fatty acids. While fresh fish and seafood can improve cardiovascular and overall health, it can also contain mercury that can be harmful to your unborn baby. Mercury can affect your baby’s development and result in a miscarriage early in the pregnancy.
Summary
These are only a few of the super foods that are commonly listed, and your health care provider can help you work out a safe and healthy diet. While most of these foods are safe to eat after the first few months of pregnancy, you do want to check with a licensed dietician before you make any changes to your routine. Simply avoiding these super foods and eating a well-balanced diet can help prevent a miscarriage early in your pregnancy, and keep you are your baby healthy. To know more information about your mesmerizing journey, week by week, as the baby grow you can watch this 40 weeks pregnancy video.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miscarriage
http://www.thinkhealthmag.com/pregnancy-trimester-by-trimester/