Happiness is one of the greatest aspects of an individual’s life, and its reasons vary from person to person. However for women, if there’s any happiness above all others, it is the blessing of motherhood—the time when she feels a life growing within her.
Motherhood comprises love, care, and a deep-rooted bond with her unborn child. The moment a woman realizes her pregnancy, she does everything to protect the baby and wishes to ensure that her baby develops healthily.
Women who have become mothers must have experienced this feeling.
But this happiness of motherhood comes with a lot of concerns such as what kind of food should I eat, which food can cause miscarriage, whether is it safe to eat papaya, etc.
Everyone pays attention to the kind of food that should be consumed for the proper development and growth of the baby. But have you ever thought about which foods you should avoid during your pregnancy?
Yes, you should know that not all foods are safe to consume during pregnancy. Some foods are scientifically proven to elevate the risk of pregnancy loss But which foods am I talking about?
If you are concerned about what to eat during pregnancy and what to avoid, this detailed guide, featuring insights from Dr. Sankalp Singh and Dr. Swati Singh, will help you understand which food can cause miscarriage and how to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy.
Let’s walk through each food and why you should not eat it.
1. Raw or undercooked meat, fish, and eggs
Since our childhood, we all are advised to have a protein-rich diet in our daily lives. Protein is also essential for both the mother’s and the baby’s nervous system and overall health, but it is important to understand which protein-rich foods are safe during pregnancy.
Not every high-protein food is healthy for pregnant women, for example, raw or undercooked meat or fish.
Consuming raw or undercooked meat, fish, and eggs can expose the body to harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria, which are known to create dangerous infections in the body and make miscarriage more likely to happen.
According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, it was found that if these foods are consumed during pregnancy, there is a high possibility of miscarriage.
For proper intake of protein, there are many other foods available like paneer, milk, soybeans, etc which you can eat during pregnancy.
2. Unpasteurized dairy products
Milk and other dairy products are proven to improve health but not for pregnant women. For our entire lives, we have heard about including dairy products in our diet, but the situation is different for women who are pregnant.
Unpasteurized milk and dairy products can harbor a bacteria named Listeria. As pregnancy naturally weakens a woman’s immune system, it makes her more susceptible to infections like listeriosis which can have devastating effects on both the mother and the baby.
Listeriosis can cross the placenta and infect the developing baby, leading to severe complications such as miscarriage.
3. High-mercury fish
Most people eat fish for protein, but very few of them know that consuming some high-mercury fish during pregnancy can negatively affect the baby’s nervous system and birth weight.
Fishes like Sharks, Swordfish, King Mackerel, Tilefish, and Bigeye Tuna contain high levels of mercury. These fishes carry a unique viral form of mercury, which can also increase the risk of birth complications and even miscarriage.
For a healthy pregnancy, it is advisable to avoid high-mercury seafood and look for other safer alternatives that are good for both mother and baby. Instead, you can opt for low-mercury fish options like salmon, cod, and tilapia.
4. Sprouted potatoes
Being a kitchen king, the potato is a vegetable that is eaten the most or on a daily basis.
But did you know that potatoes can be harmful to pregnant women? Not all but ‘sprouted potatoes’.
Most of us are not aware that sprouted potatoes can be very harmful in pregnancy.
Sprouted potatoes contain a high level of toxic called ‘glycoalkaloid’ which has a very bad effect on the development of the baby.
To ensure a safe pregnancy, it is best to avoid sprouted potatoes and always consume fresh, properly stored potatoes.
If you’re pregnant and are in doubt about what to eat or which food can cause miscarriage, it’s essential to seek advice from experts. Relying on assumptions or incorrect information can lead to potential health risks.
5. Unripe papaya or pineapple
Papaya and pineapple are loved for their sweetness and rich nutrient content, but for pregnant women, these fruits can pose serious risks. They contain enzymes like papain and chymopapain, which may trigger uterine contractions, leading to a miscarriage or even premature labor.
Similarly, pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that can soften the cervix and induce early labor if consumed in excess.
To ensure a safe pregnancy, it’s best to avoid unripe papaya and limit pineapple consumption, especially in the early stages of pregnancy months.
6. Drumstick leaves
Drumstick leaves are packed with essential nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and iron, which help boost immunity and provide relief from morning sickness. However, despite a lot of benefits, doctors advise to not eat drumstick leaves during pregnancy.
Reason?
Drumstick leaves contain certain toxic compounds that can be harmful during pregnancy.
These compounds may cause digestive issues such as gas and bloating. In addition, they can affect uterine contractions, which may increase the risk of miscarriage.
7. Aloe vera
Aloe vera has numerous benefits and is considered a universal remedy for many diseases.
It is a treatment for acid reflux, blood sugar regulation, skincare, and many other medical ailments.
But during pregnancy, consuming it can be harmful to the baby. It contains anthraquinones, which can trigger uterine contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage.
However, you can still use aloe vera on your skin, but drinking or eating it, especially in the early months should be avoided to ensure a safe pregnancy.
For more clarification, take your doctor’s advice before introducing aloe-based products to your life.
8. Alcohol
Even though more and more people are drinking alcohol, we are all aware of the fact that it is not good for health, especially for women.
Consuming Alcohol during pregnancy can lead to severe health problems for the baby and the mother. Alcohol passes through the placenta and directly affects the developing baby. The baby’s liver is not fully developed and cannot process alcohol, leading to a buildup that can cause serious harm.
To ensure a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby, the intake of alcohol during this period should be avoided.
9. Caffeine
Caffeine such as tea or coffee is a significant part of our lives. We no longer feel awakened till we have our morning caffeine. However, a higher amount of caffeine can affect your pregnancy.
According to research by the National Institute of Health, if more than 200 gm of caffeine is consumed during pregnancy, it can cause damage to the placenta, which increases the chances of miscarriage by two times and it also increases the chance of a small birth size.
During pregnancy, a woman needs more rest but the consumption of caffeine can cause sleeplessness and lead to increased stress which effect can be seen in the baby. Therefore, you should limit your caffeine amount during pregnancy.
10. Contaminated drinking water
We pay a lot of attention to the diet during pregnancy, but when it comes to water, people barely look after it.
Undoubtedly, clean water is as important for the development of the baby as healthy food.
Contaminated drinking water has so many bacteria and viruses present in the drinking water which not only makes you sick but also increases the chances of miscarriage.
Its adverse effects can also impact fetal development, increasing the risk of birth defects, low birth weight, premature birth, or developmental delays that may affect the baby’s health after birth.
Prolonged exposure to contaminated water can pose serious risks to the baby, potentially leading to stillbirth or long-term health complications in infancy.
Conclusion
A healthy pregnancy goes beyond just eating well—it also involves avoiding certain foods that could harm you or your baby. Understanding what to eat and what to avoid is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of both the mother and the developing baby.
This detailed guide, along with the list of foods, should have provided clarity on which food can cause miscarriage.
However, if you still have concerns or need more comprehensive advice about your diet and lifestyle during pregnancy, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional or doctor for personalized guidance.
At Yaami Fertility, we care about your health. Stay updated, and seek advice from professionals like Dr Sankalp Singh & Dr. Swati Singh to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Which fruit is not good for pregnancy?
Whenever someone talks about which foods can cause miscarriage, unripe papaya and pineapple comes at the top.
Fruits like unripe papaya and pineapple, are not recommended during pregnancy. Unripe papaya contains latex, which can trigger uterine contractions, and pineapple has bromelain, which may soften the cervix.
Both of these elements can cause risk in pregnancy. Instead, you can choose other fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges to nourish yourself and your baby.
What drinks can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy?
Drinks like alcohol, unpasteurized milk, high caffeinated energy drinks, or excess amounts of tea or coffee can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy.
Alcohol is especially harmful as it can interfere with the baby’s development and increase miscarriage risk.
Unpasteurized juices may carry harmful bacteria, and high caffeine intake is linked to complications. Avoid these drinks and include herbal teas, and pasteurized juices for a healthy pregnancy.
Can papaya cause miscarriage in early pregnancy?
Unripe or semi-ripe papaya can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy because it contains latex, which may stimulate uterine contractions and lead to complications. Fully ripe papaya, however, is considered safe and nutritious when eaten in moderation.
For in-depth inside, it’s best to consult with specialists or experts before including anything in your diet.
What food to avoid in early pregnancy?
In the early days of pregnancy, avoid raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products, high-mercury fish, unripe papaya, and processed foods with additives.
These foods can carry harmful bacteria or toxins that might affect your baby’s growth and increase the risk of miscarriage.
