Pregnancy can be a challenging time for women with all the emotional and physical changes their bodies go through. While there is excitement to welcome a newborn into the world, it's no secret that nine-months of morning sickness, midnight hunger pangs and mood swings can be pretty daunting too. It needs a lot of patience and care to look after the mother and the baby. Diet is of the utmost importance in the times of pregnancy. While fruits are said to be nutrient-dense and cater to untimely hunger pangs, there are a bunch of them that could be avoided as they may affect pregnancy in some way or the other.
According to Dr. Rahul Manchanda, Gynae Endoscopic surgeon PSRI Hospital, craving is one thing that strikes every woman during pregnancy due to hormonal surge but there are some fruits that are recommended to be avoided during pregnancy. Such fruits may include papaya as it could lead to early labour or miscarriage and sometimes even grapes as they contain a compound known as resveratrol that elevates hormonal imbalance during pregnancy."
According to Dr. Sadhna Singhal, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, "fruits are always healthy and nutritious to have. But there are some fruits which should not be consumed during pregnancy as they might end up causing negative impact to the womb."
There are some fruits which should not be consumed during pregnancy
Here are some fruits that pregnant women should avoid, as suggested by the experts:
1. Pineapple
Although pineapple is a super healthy fruit, it should be kept away from pregnant women. It comprises a rich amount of bromelain that may cause the softening of the cervix that may induce early labour. Moreover, eating a lot of pineapple can cause stomach problems like diarrhoea, resulting in dehydration.
2. Grapes
Grapes have heat producing properties, which can affect both the mother and the baby. It is also the presence of a compound known as resveratrol, which is known to elevate hormonal imbalance during this period.
Grapes have heat producing properties, which can affect both the mother and the baby
3. Papaya
Papaya is one of the most common fruits that are forbidden in this list. Papaya is said to promote early labour and in worst case scenario, miscarriages. Papayas, usually the unripe and semi-ripe ones are believed to be rich in latex that is known to trigger uterine contractions.
4. Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is said to be an irritant to the uterus, which can lead to premature birth or miscarriage. In fact, they contain highly toxic components like quinine, saponic glycosides and morodicine. When absorbed in the body, they can cause nausea, rash, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Notes To Remember
- You must never consume fruits that are not washed properly. The presence of pesticides, mud or any residue can give rise to infections, affecting the mother and the foetus. Make sure you wash them thoroughly under running water, especially fruits that need cutting or peeling.
- Cut away the bruised or damaged areas, as bacteria thrive in these spots, which make the mother and baby susceptible to infections.
- As an added precaution, use a vegetable brush to remove surface dirt from the fruits.
- Make sure you are not using detergents, soaps or bleach solutions to clean your fruits.
You must never consume fruits that are not washed properly
Fruits That You Should Eat During Pregnancy
- Strawberries
- Guava
- Cherries
- Pear
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Watermelon
- Oranges
- Apples
- Avocado
Include more and more fruits in your diet and ensure a healthy pregnancy. Make sure you consult your gynaecologist and nutritionist to alter your diet plan to birth a healthy and happy baby.