Nutrition during Pregnancy – What to Avoid

Pregnancy is a daunting and beautiful phase that every couple simultaneously longs for and fears. It’s a life altering period of time in every way possible. But for those of you fearing the worst, there are many nutritional tips that can make this phase a lot smoother and healthier for mommy and child alike.

Nutrition in pregnancy requires more than a single article or even a single seminar. But briefly, I will try to lay out the general do’s and don’ts – what to avoid, what to limit, and what is recommended. Today’s article will focus on what to avoid.

Let’s get started!

What to avoid entirely:
 
 
1. Artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are a poor source of nutrients and their effects on pregnant women are unknown. Some tests have shown that various kinds of sweeteners could be carcinogenic in large quantities. This will include sugar-free gum, sodas and chocolate.

2. Alcohol

Studies have shown that heavy drinking (4+ drinks per day) increases risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death within the first month after delivery. Low to moderate risk may also lead to birth defects, mental retardation or developmental disorders.

3. Smoking

Smoking – whether cigarettes or (even worse) water pipes – can kill an otherwise healthy fetus or newborn and/or lead to complicated delivery.

Stay tuned for my next article, which will discuss in detail items that should be limited. Are you pregnant and consuming fish, cold cuts or cheese? Maybe you should rethink those choices.

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