Feeding during pregnancy is not a joke of satisfying your cravings but feeding not only yourself but also the growing fetus inside of you. The foods you eat are an important part of your baby’s growth and development, so your diet is very important during pregnancy. Despite the fact that Indian food is rich in nutrients when taken during pregnancy, there is the possibility of taking dangerous food stuffs. These changes will help in protecting your health as well as the health of the baby and ensure that you give him or her the best start in life.
In this blog post, we are going to discuss about the Indian foods that should be avoided during pregnancy so that you can make better and healthy choices. Starting from what fruits to exclude from the diet, such as raw papaya, to being careful with spices that are used daily, such as fennel seeds and fenugreek, this article will help you understand the decisions one must make when they are diagnosed with kidney disease. Knowing which Indian food to avoid when pregnant will help you make an informed decision as you take your meals knowing that you are doing the best for the baby.
Here is everything that you need to know about what to eat and avoid while pregnant in regard to Indian food.
Key Takeaways
- Be Cautious with Certain Indian Foods: A few foods are not good for pregnant women including unripe papaya, certain spices and foods that are sold on the streets.
- Watch Out for Spices and Seeds: The Indian spices and seeds like sesame, fennel and fenugreek should be avoided or taken in limited quantity since they are hot stuff or have some tendency to cause uterine contractions.
- Consult Your Doctor: It is always recommended that you should seek advice from your doctor before you decide on changing your meal habit as you are pregnant since you are not only choosing for yourself but for your unborn child as well.
List Of Indian Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy In 2024
Papaya:
It's important for pregnant women to steer clear of papaya, especially when it's not fully ripe. This is because papaya contains papain, which can cause the muscles in the uterus to tighten and possibly lead to a miscarriage. If the papaya is completely ripe, it's safer to eat, but it's still a good idea to be careful and talk to your doctor about it.
Check out: Foods to eat during pregnancy
Sesame Seeds and Jaggery
Sesame seeds and jaggery are often used to make tasty snacks and sweets in India. They are both nutritious, but they can make your body feel boiling. Too much heat during pregnancy can cause problems, so it's best to eat them in small amounts. Choose other sweets and snacks that are safe for pregnant women instead.
Ajinomoto (Monosodium Glutamate)
Monosodium Glutamate which is commonly referred to as Ajinomoto is usually used in fast foods, processed food, and the prepared dishes such as Chinese and Indo-Chinese foods. As it contributes to flavor it has some side effects that are dangerous for pregnancy, including negative influence on the fetus’s brain. MSG also has some side effects that may be encountered during pregnancy such as headaches, nausea and bloating. As a result, you and your baby should avoid foods with artificial flavor enhancers and rather ingest foods flavored with natural herbs and spices.
Street food
The use of road side foods is a common custom among the people of India and a lot of tasty foods are available here. But when pregnant, it is very important to be very careful on the sources of foods that you take. This is because preparation of street foods is often done under poor hygienic conditions whereby the food is likely to be contaminated with water, inadequately cooked and or poorly handled. Food borne diseases such as food poisoning can result from taking contaminated foods and these are dangerous especially to the mother and the growing baby. To avoid the contamination of listeria or salmonella, avoid consuming processed foods that are stored in the refrigerator for long time.
Fennel Seeds
Saunf or fennel seeds are considered to have properties to improve digestion and are used as a mouth freshener in Indian foods. Fennel seeds are good for digestion and can help in easing stomach upsets; however, pregnant women should avoid consuming them since they help to induce contractions and hence should be avoided in the third trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended that one should not take fennel seeds in large amounts for digestion as it poses certain risks as well. In moderation, fennel seeds, like those that might be eaten as a digestif after dinner, appear to be safe, but it’s always advisable to check with your physician if you have qualms about your consumption of fennel seeds.
Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds taste a little bitter, and they are used in Indian cooking. People think they have good things in them, like helping with sugar levels and making more milk for moms who are breastfeeding. When you're pregnant, it's okay to have a bit of fenugreek, but don't eat a lot because it might cause your tummy to squeeze too much.
Eggplant: It is a good vegetable to eat during pregnancy.
- It is low in calories and has many essential nutrients, like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Folate, a mineral in eggplant, is especially important during pregnancy.
- Some people believe that eggplant can harm the baby, but this is not true.
- Eggplant is safe to eat during pregnancy, as long as it is washed, cooked, and handled properly.
Excessive Caffeine
Pregnant women should not drink too much caffeine, even though chai is popular in India. Too much caffeine can cause premature birth and low birth weight. It is better to drink decaffeinated or herbal teas while pregnant.
High Mercury Fish
Despite being a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids, certain types of fish, including shark, swordfish, and king mackerel, contain high levels of mercury. This toxic substance can negatively impact the developing nervous system of infants. Opting for fish with low mercury levels like salmon, tuna, and sardines offers a safer and healthier choice.
Tulsi leaves
In India, Tulsi is considеrеd sacrеd for rеligious purposеs and is known for its medicinal benefits. Howеvеr, it's important for pregnant women to avoid Tulsi lеavеs duе to their high mеrcury contеnt, which is bеliеvеd to induce utеrinе contractions. Additionally, Tulsi has blood-thinning propеrtiеs that can lеad to еxcеssivе blееding in individuals with clotting issuеs. Thеrеforе, doctors oftеn advise pregnant women to rеfrain from consuming Tulsi throughout their pregnancy to prеvеnt potential complications.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera isn't a good fit for pregnant women. It might make your tummy muscles tighten up and your blood sugar go down too much. It can also make you feel sick or have loose stools, which can wash away important nutrients. So, best to skip aloe vera in any form, like drinks, snacks, or even spices. It's just not worth the risk for you and your little one.
Unripe Papaya
Papaya is a fruit that is consumed by many households in India but pregnant women should be very careful. It is also important not to consume unripe papaya because it has a powerful enzyme known as papain, which has the potential of contracting the uterus hence causing complications that include miscarriage as well as preterm labor. Although fully ripe papaya may be more safe to eat it is recommended that one should seek the advice of a doctor before using it. During pregnancy it is safer to avoid the specific fruits that have been listed above and instead take other healthier fruits like bananas or mangoes that also have similar nutritional values as those of the prohibited fruits.
Pineapple
Pineapple is a tasty fruit, mostly served in regions with tropical climates, unfortunately, it contains an enzyme called bromelain which can cause the cervix to soften, and this may result to early labor or even miscarriage. However, even small quantities of pineapple should not be consumed because during the first trimester, it is safe to avoid certain foods that could have an adverse effect on the fetus. So it is better to choose other fruits such as apples, oranges or berries which do not have any negative impact, but contain lots of vitamins and minerals.
Raw or Undercooked Eggs
Food that should not be taken raw or undercooked are eggs and this is dangerous to anybody, but pregnant ladies. Raw and undercooked eggs contain a bacterium called salmonella whose symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In order to minimize this risk pregnant women should make sure that eggs are cooked until the white part and the yolk are solid. Do not consume foods such as mayonnaise made at home, mousse, certain desserts that include raw eggs and go for other foods.
Indian Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy List
During pregnancy, a woman and her baby share the same blood, which is why it is so important to take good care of yourself. It is noteworthy that however many herbs are known for their curative values for the body and other natural healing effects, it is not all that can be used during pregnancy. A number of Indian herbs are potentially hazardous to the health of both the mother and the foetus, even if they are used in Indian households as home remedies or in preparations consumed daily.
Some herbs may have the ability to cause the uterus to contract or hinder absorption of nutrients or may cause complications. Lets learn about some of the Indian herbs that are best avoided during pregnancy to have a healthy and safe pregnancy.
Some herbs that are not safe to consume during pregnancy include:
- Cotton root: Can over-stimulate the womb
- Clove: May lead to liver issues and or coagulation of the blood.
- Jasmine: May lead to abortion or preterm labor
- Aloe vera: Can cause birth defects
- Peppermint: Should not be taken during early pregnancy since it possesses emmenagogue qualities.
- Fenugreek: Should be taken carefully because has hypoglycemic effect and stimulate secretion of oxytocin.
Other herbs to avoid during pregnancy include:
- Barberry, black cohosh, blue cohosh, dong quai, feverfew, goldenseal, juniper, wild yam and motherwort.
- There are many deem best when taken in moderation, but when taken in large quantities their effects are unknown.
Some Important Points That Every Mother Should Know?
1.Can I Eat Indian Food While Pregnant?
One common question that pregnant women often ask is can I take Indian food while pregnant. Yes, most Indian dishes are harmless and they contain vitamins, proteins and healthy fats which are very crucial in the body. It is recommended that pregnant women eat foods such as lentils, whole grains and a number of vegetables. However, some of the meals that are rich in fats, fried or heavily spiced may not be very suitable for the health. They are foods that one should choose carefully so that they don’t indulge themselves in them keeping in mind that the portions should be controlled.
2. What are the Indian Spices to Avoid During Pregnancy?
Spices are used a lot in Indian cooking but not all spices should be used during pregnancy. Foods to avoid during pregnancy are Indian spices such as fenugreek, ajwain and hing (asafoetida) because they can lead to digestive discomfort and if taken in large quantities they can lead to uterine contractions. Fennel seeds which are found in most of the mouth fresheners are also prohibited. However, these spices are known to enhance the flavor, but their consumption should be regulated to reduce the existence of threats.
3. List of Indian Foods to Avoid in the First Trimester of Pregnancy?
The first trimester is also considered as the dangerous stage of pregnancy when a baby is at the most risky stage of its formation. There are some foods that pregnant women should avoid during the first trimester they include; unripe papaya due to the enzymes that may lead to the contraction of the uterus. Another fruit that should be consumed carefully is pineapple, because of the bromelain that may cause the cervical os to soften. Sesame seeds, however, are hot in nature and pregnancy requires strict moderation and no hot or spicy foods and hence, sesame seeds are traditionally excluded from pregnancy especially in the early stages of pregnancy.
4. List of Indian Vegetables to Avoid During Pregnancy
Indian vegetables are very good for health especially when taken in their raw form, however, some vegetables to be avoided during pregnancy include; brinjal and bitter melon. Eggplant or brinjal as it is called in some parts of the world is considered to have a heating effect on the body which could be detrimental to pregnant women. Although bitter melon has so many health benefits, it should not be taken in large quantities because it has the ability to cause contractions.
5. Is Indian Food Safe for Pregnancy?
Most pregnant women wonder, can I eat Indian food during pregnancy? The answer is yes but only if the food is prepared under clean and hygienic conditions and some of the potential hazard ingredients are not used. The Indian food has a wide variety of foods which are rich in nutrients such as dals, chickpeas and spinach which are rich in iron, protein and folic acid respectively. However, preparations that are cooked in excess oil, ghee or hot spices may lead to heart burns or indigestion which are relatively rife in pregnant women. Choose the foods that are complex, healthy and good for the digestive system.
6. Can You Eat Indian Food When Pregnant?
A common question pregnant women tend to ask is, can I eat Indian food while pregnant. Yes, that is true but everything depends on the right decisions to be made. Poor pregnant women should avoid taking foods that have low nutrient density, such as fried snacks like samosas or pakoras, and instead take nutrient dense foods like daals, green vegetables and whole grains. Some of the foods which are very spicy such as heavily spiced up curries may have to be despired to avoid situations such as acid reflux or indigestion which are very rampant during pregnancy.
7. Can You Eat Indian Takeaway When Pregnant?
Craving a tasty takeaway? If you are pregnant can you actually consume Indian takeaway food? Yes, although it is not without a few conditions. As much as possible, one should order from recognised restaurants, with well maintained hygiene measures. Avoid dishes that are too spicy and oily and rather opt for tandoori items since they are baked and hence contain less oil. Do not eat foods such as chaat or samosas since they are normally fried foods that are hard for pregnant women to digest.
8. Indian Breakfast to Avoid When Pregnant
Pregnant women should know that breakfast is the most crucial meal in a day. But some of them which should be avoided in traditional Indian breakfasts are fried products, such as puris or oily parathas which cause swelling and poor digestion. Avoid fried foods instead prefer low calorie foods such as idlis, upma or poha with little or no oil. Other food items that should not be consumed include raw or partly cooked foods such as peanuts in poha.
9. Can I Have Indian Food While Pregnant?
If you’re wondering whether it is safe for you to eat Indian foods during pregnancy or not, then the answer is yes. To answer your question, the simple answer is yes. This is a fact because Indian food can be healthy as long as you remember to make well balanced meals. Baked, boiled, steamed, grilled or very lightly stir fried dishes are better than fried dishes. On the other hand, it is important to include foods that are rich in iron, calcium and folate, which are found in spinach, legumes and whole grain respectively.
10. Is Indian Food Safe for Pregnancy?
This can be realized when one asks, is Indian food safe for pregnancy to many expectant mothers. The answer is yes but as with all foods moderation and balance are important when it comes to consuming foods from the oriental cuisine. Do not take any foods that are sold on the streets, very spicy meals or any meal that you are not very sure of its cleanliness. Pay attention to preparing fresh food for yourself and your baby since you need to provide your body and the baby’s with the necessary nutrients without harming your health.
Conclusion
Be careful about what you eat when you are pregnant. Avoid these 13 Indian foods to reduce the risk of problems for you and your baby: raw papaya, sesame seeds and jaggery in excess, Ajinomoto, street food, and too much caffeine. Talk to your doctor about what foods are best for you during pregnancy.
