Without realizing it, there are several types of dangerous foods for pregnant women that should not be consumed. This food is considered dangerous because it is contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or contains certain ingredients that are considered to threaten the safety of the mother and fetus in the womb.
Pregnant women need to pay attention to every intake of food they consume, including knowing which dangerous foods should not be consumed. This is because every food that pregnant women consume will affect the health of the fetus in the womb.
Beware of Contaminated Food
Foods that pregnant women consume can be dangerous if they are contaminated with bacteria and parasites, such as:
Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes are bacteria that can be found in soil and water. These bacteria can contaminate plants and animals, so pregnant women must ensure that the fruits, vegetables, and meat they eat are really well maintained.
When pregnant women are infected with this bacteria (listeriosis), symptoms that can be felt such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and sore throat. Listeriosis infection in pregnant women is dangerous, because these bacteria can easily enter the placenta, so there is a possibility to threaten the survival of the baby in the womb. Babies are at risk for premature birth, stillbirth, and miscarriage.
Toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis infection. This infection can occur if pregnant women eat undercooked meat that has been contaminated with parasites toxoplasma gondii. In addition, exposure to cat feces that have been infected with parasites toxoplasma gondii can also make pregnant women infected with toxoplasmosis.
Symptoms of this infection can include fatigue, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches. Toxoplasmosis can result in miscarriage or stillbirth. For babies born after being exposed to this infection in the womb, there is a possibility that the baby will suffer from serious conditions such as eye infections, jaundice, convulsions, to have an enlarged liver and spleen.
Food Ingredients that are Dangerous for Pregnant Women
In addition to being aware of the causes of food contamination that are dangerous for pregnant women, the following types of foods also need to be avoided because they pose a risk of interfering with pregnancy:
1. Sea fish
Pregnant women should be careful in choosing the fish they eat, because some types of marine fish contain high mercury. Fish to avoid include mackerel, swordfish, tuna and marlin.
Research says, excessive exposure to mercury in pregnant women can interfere with the development of the baby's brain and nervous system. It can even affect a child's vision, motor skills, language, and cognition.
If pregnant women really want to eat sea fish, choose fish or seafood low in mercury, such as shrimp, sardines, sea tilapia, and salmon. However, the dose is still limited to no more than 340 grams per week.
2. Raw meat
One of the dangerous foods for pregnant women is raw meat. Foods containing raw meat such as sushi, sashimi, and undercooked steak, need to be avoided during pregnancy for the health of the fetus in the womb.
All meat that pregnant women consume must be cooked thoroughly to avoid contamination and food poisoning due to bacteria Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, and parasites.
3. Raw eggs
Pregnant women must ensure that the eggs consumed are cooked evenly before consuming them. This is because raw or undercooked eggs that pregnant women consume may contain bacteria Salmonella.
Although it does not harm the fetus directly, consumption of eggs that have been contaminated Salmonella can make pregnant women experience digestive disorders in the form of diarrhea and vomiting. This condition is at risk of making pregnant women dehydrated which is certainly dangerous for pregnancy.
4. Several types of cheese
Some types of cheese are made from milk that has not gone through the pasteurization process, this is at risk of interfering with pregnancy. In addition, cheese like this is also considered unsafe to eat because it tends to be more humid, which makes listeria bacteria grow and thrive.
If pregnant women want to eat cheese, choose hard and dry textured cheese, for example cheese parmesan or cheddar. Pregnant women can also choose soft-textured cheese made from pasteurized milk such as cheese ricotta, paneer, mozzarella, or cottage.
5. Heart
Pregnant women need to be more careful in consuming liver or foods containing liver during pregnancy. This is because the content of vitamin A in the liver is very high, so it can harm the fetus in the womb if consumed in excess.
Liver can actually still be consumed by pregnant women, just not too much or too often. The safe limit for consuming liver for pregnant women is once a month with reasonable portions.
6. Unwashed or raw vegetables and fruits
Be sure to always wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly under running water. Also avoid eating fruit or vegetables that have been damaged, perforated, or bruised because bacteria can thrive in these areas.
It is important for pregnant women to eat nutritious foods and avoid various foods that are considered dangerous. If pregnant women still have doubts about the food they eat, don't hesitate to ask their obstetrician for safety, while having a pregnancy control. By following the advice of doctors, the health of pregnant women and the fetus in the womb can be maintained.
