What you eat during pregnancy is important for your health and the health of your baby. We should avoid some Indian foods during pregnancy because they can harm you or your baby. In this blog post, we'll discuss Indian foods that you should steer clear of during pregnancy to ensure the health and well-being of both you and your baby.
Indian foods to avoid during pregnancy
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):
Ajinomoto is a flavor enhancer that is often used in Indian, Chinese food. It is not safe to eat during pregnancy because it can harm the developing baby.
Street food:
Street food is yummy, but it might not be safe for pregnant women. The way it's made, and the water used can be dirty, and there's a chance you could get sick. To be safer, it's better to eat food that is cooked well and fresh from clean places.
Fennel Seeds:
Fennel seeds taste sweet and are like a breath freshener in India. They can be helpful when you're pregnant because they can soothe your tummy if it's feeling uncomfortable. But don't eat too many of them; just a little is good for you.
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.
In conclusion, Be careful about what you eat when you are pregnant. Avoid these five 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.
