Diet During Pregnancy What to Eat and What to Avoid - Dr. Sadhna Sharma
                     Diet During Pregnancy: What to Eat and What to Avoid?
A Nutritional and well-balanced diet during pregnancy plays a crucial role. A healthy
meal plan for pregnant women has an intense impact on the health of both the mother-
to-be  and  the  developing  baby  because  the  primary  source  of  nutrition  for  the
developing baby is the food that you consume during pregnancy. So, it is important to
keep in mind that a pregnancy diet must contain various types of healthy food items
that are rich in protein and vitamins to maintain the good health of both of you and the
growth of your developing baby.
When it comes to nutrition during pregnancy, deciding what to eat and what to avoid
is  challenging.  To  know  the  best  food  during  pregnancy  and  the  right  doses  of
vitamins and protein, consult the best gynecaologist near you. In this blog, we will
look  into  the  essential  requirement  of  a  well-balanced  diet  for  mothers  during
pregnancy. 
What to Eat during Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a phase of a woman's life, in which she experiences changes not just
physically but in terms of dietary needs also. To ensure the good health of you and
your baby, the gynecologist usually recommends a specific meal plan for a pregnancy
diet according to your health conditions. 
The best food during pregnancy is crucial to have a healthy baby. There are a variety
of foods that are necessary to include in a nutritional and healthy pregnancy diet such
as:
● Fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of vitamins, 
minerals, and fiber. For a healthy pregnancy, consuming fruits and vegetables 
is essential. So, your gynecologist will suggest you include a variety of fruits 
and vegetables into your meal plan for a pregnancy diet. The nutritious fruits 
to eat during pregnancy include Orange, Mango, Avocados, Bananas, Lemon, 
Apple, and Berries. These fruits not only offer you the sweetness you crave 
but also the nutrition you need. Along with fruits, you may consume 
vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, cooked greens, 
red sweet peppers, and leafy green vegetables like broccoli. to ensure a good 
hemoglobin supply, promote healthy bones, and prevent skin problems. But 
make sure to wash thoroughly before use to remove harmful bacteria. 
● Whole grains: Whole grains are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, Vitamin 
B, Minerals, and other nutrients. During pregnancy, whole grains are 
necessary for the growth and development of every part of the body of a 
developing baby. So, you must add -whole grains to your diet.
● Lean protein: Lean protein is very important for health during pregnancy. It 
helps in developing and repairing tissues. So, you must add rich sources of 
lean protein such as meat, chicken, fish, beans, lentils, and tofu to your 
pregnancy diet.
● Dairy Products: Dairy products are a rich source of various nutrients such as 
calcium and vitamins, which are crucial for the bones and teeth of the 
developing baby. To confirm whether you require low-fat dairy products, fat-
free dairy products, or high-fat dairy products according to your health 
condition, consult with your gynecologist. 
● Healthy fats: Healthy fats are important to consume during pregnancy as they 
help in the development of the brain of the developing baby. So, it is important
to add healthy fat foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, etc. In your prescribed 
diet for pregnancy.
● Eggs: Eggs are a rich source of protein and amino acids that help in the 
development of the baby. Apart from the protein and amino acids, It is a good 
source of beneficial vitamins and minerals. So, it's important to add eggs to 
your diet during pregnancy to prevent the abnormal development of the spine 
and brain of the baby.
● Water: During pregnancy, hydration is essential for you and your baby. Water 
helps maintain the amniotic fluid around the fetus, helps in better digestion, 
and reduces the risks of Urinary tract infection. So, it is advisable to drink at 
least 8-11 glasses of water daily during pregnancy.
While there are a wide variety of foods you can choose from to have good nutrition
during pregnancy.
Now we will explore some food that is best to avoid when pregnant.
Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
To ensure the well-being and safety of both you and your developing baby, there are
some specific types of foods that you should avoid during pregnancy.
● Raw or Under-cooked Eggs/ Meat/ Seafood: During pregnancy say no to 
runny, raw, or under-cooked eggs as they can potentially carry the risk of 
salmonella, which could be harmful to both you and your developing baby.
1. Seafood such as fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids but it is not good 
for pregnant women because of its potential mercury content.
2. Raw or undercooked meat can be contaminated with bacteria that can cause 
serious complications during pregnancy. 
● Unpasteurized Dairy Products: Unpasteurized dairy products such as milk and 
blue cheese etc. can contain harmful bacteria which poses a risk to both you 
and your developing baby. So, your doctor may advise you to avoid 
unpasteurized dairy products.
● Raw Sprouts: Raw sprouts can foster bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. 
These harmful bacteria can cause risks to pregnant women and their 
developing babies. so, it is advisable to avoid raw sprouts including alfalfa, 
mung bean, and clover sprouts, etc., in your pregnancy diet.  As a safer 
alternative, it is good to consume cooked sprouts.
● Processed Junk Food: Processed junk foods can increase the amount of a toxic
substance called acrylamide. So, it is good to avoid adding processed junk 
food to your diet during pregnancy to protect your developing baby from 
harmful effects.
● Caffeine: Caffeine tends to increase blood pressure as well and it can cross the
placenta. So, it is advisable to avoid caffeine and caffeine-containing products 
during pregnancy.
● Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause 
structural defects in the baby. So, avoid consuming alcohol, especially during 
the first trimester.
Conclusion: 
It is important to remember that in an amazing journey of pregnancy, your dietary
choices can directly influence the health of your baby. By following the pregnancy
dietary tips regarding the food to avoid and add to your daily meals, you can ensure
that you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Eating a healthy diet during
pregnancy is the best  gift  you can give to your baby. So, keep your gynecologist
informed about your eating choices and follow her guidelines regarding a healthy diet
during pregnancy.
Miracles Apollo Cradle is the best gynecologist hospital in Gurgaon. Backed by the
highly experienced and dedicated team of gynecologist doctors in Gurgaon, We offer
gynecology/obstetrics services from gynecology health issues to normal and C-section
delivery.  The  hospital  is  well-equipped  with  advanced  technology  to  conduct
diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Our experts evaluate the condition of the patients and design customized meal plans
for pregnant women as per the condition of the patient to ensure the good health and
safety of both mother and developing child.
For any query related to your pregnancy or meal plan for pregnancy diet, consult the
best gynae doctor in Gurgaon at Miracles Apollo Cradle.
FAQ:
Which food to eat when pregnant during the first trimester?
There  are  a  variety  of  food  items  that  you  can  eat  during  the  first  trimester  of
pregnancy including fruits,  vegetables,  whole grains,  lean  proteins,  iron-rich food,
dairy products, etc.
Which food is not good during the first trimester?
Some food that is  not good to consume during the first trimester  includes  raw or
undercooked meat,  seafood, and egg, high sugar food, processed food, junk food,
caffeine, alcohol, raw sprouts, etc.
What are things to avoid during pregnancy that cause miscarriage?
There are various things to avoid during pregnancy that cause miscarriage including
heavy  lifting,  high-stress  activities,  alcohol  consumption,  smoking,  caffeine,  fish,
unpasteurized dairy products, etc.