Fruits That You Must Avoid During Pregnancy

While you are pregnant, everything you eat gets shared with your unborn baby in the womb. To meet your nutritional requirements, there are a plethora of fruits to eat during pregnancy. However, did you know that there are some fruits that should be avoided during pregnancy?

Yes, you read that right. Some fruits contain latex and enzymes that can induce premature contractions and can break down proteins in the body and lead to abnormal bleeding. Here’s a list of fruits not to eat during pregnancy.

List Of Fruits To Avoid During Pregnancy

While most fruits contain the required vitamins and nutrients that your body needs during pregnancy, there are some fruits to avoid in pregnancy as these can affect the health of the developing foetus and can lead to a miscarriage.

Now, the question is: “Which fruits should be avoided during pregnancy?”

Some of the fruits to avoid during pregnancy are:

1. Pineapple: “Can you eat pineapple while pregnant?” Well, here’s the answer.

Pineapple contains a type of enzyme called bromelain that softens the cervix and triggers uterine contractions. This in turn can also lead to a miscarriage.

According to research, bromelain can break down proteins in the body and lead to abnormal bleeding. Eating large amounts of pineapples can also result in early labour.

Pineapples contain acids that can contribute to acid reflux or heartburn during pregnancy. If you have a weak or sensitive digestive system, it’s better to avoid pineapple during pregnant.

Having a high-calorie content, pineapples are also not recommended to expecting mums who are overweight.

2. Tamarind: Although moderate amounts of tamarind have been used for a long time as an antidote to morning sickness and nausea, excessive tamarind can be harmful to the foetus.

Extremely rich in Vitamin C, it can suppress progesterone production in your body. The low levels of progesterone can in turn lead to a miscarriage, pre-term birth, and even cell damage in the foetus.

3. Papayas: Medical studies suggest that raw or semi-ripe papaya should be avoided during pregnancy as it contains latex which can induce premature contractions, bleeding, and even miscarriage.

Besides, papaya can cause your body temperature to shoot up, which is not good during pregnancy.

4. Grapes: According to medical reports, grapes should be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the final trimester as grapes are known to generate heat in the body which is not good for both mother and the baby.

It is better to avoid it throughout the pregnancy to stay away from any complications.

5. Watermelon: Watermelon is usually good for the human body as it enables the body to flush out all the toxins from the body while regulating hydration. However, it should be avoided during pregnancy as it might expose the baby to the various toxins that the watermelon flushes out.

The sugar content in it can also raise your blood glucose levels. Sometimes, the diuretic properties of watermelons can also flush out the essential nutrients along with toxins from your body.

In addition to this, watermelon is a cold-inducing fruit and is suggested to avoid while pregnant.

6. Bananas: Why avoid bananas during pregnancy?

Although eating bananas during pregnancy is considered safe, they should be avoided in certain cases. Expecting mums who suffer from allergies and who have diabetes or gestational diabetes are advised against eating bananas.

Bananas contain chitinase which is a latex-like substance and is a known allergen. It can also increase your body heat.

7. Dates: Dates are a powerhouse of vitamins and essential nutrients. However, pregnant women are often advised to avoid consuming dates.

Dates tend to heat up your body and increase body temperature. It can also lead to uterine contractions.

8. Bitter melon: It is advisable to avoid bitter melon during pregnancy as it can irritate the uterus and cause premature birth or miscarriage.

Bitter melon has highly toxic components like momordicin, quinine, and saponin glycosides which when absorbed in the body can result in abdominal pain, severe abdominal cramps, nausea, rash, and even diarrhoea.

9. Frozen berries: Expecting women should avoid frozen berries or anything that has been freeze-dried or frozen over extended periods of time.

The original flavour and nutrients in berries are lost if they are frozen. Plus, eating the same can be toxic to both you and your developing baby. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for fresh berries rather than the frozen or canned variety.

10. Canned tomatoes: During pregnancy, it is always a good idea to avoid canned items as they contain high amounts of preservatives. 

These preservatives can be toxic to you and your growing baby and might lead to complications. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid eating canned tomatoes and other canned items.

Can Pregnant Women Drink Fruit Juice?

It is advisable to avoid fresh juices during pregnancy because unpasteurised juices can lead to digestion-related illnesses.

If you are craving for a glass of juice, you can drink prune juice as it can help alleviate constipation.

You can even try drinking Vitamin C juice in moderation which has folic acid and can enable your foetus to develop normally while preventing conditions such as spina bifida.

Fruits to Include In Pregnancy Diet

Eating plenty of fresh fruits is advisable during pregnancy as these contain lots of essential vitamins and nutrients and are a good source of fibre too. So mums, are you wondering, “what fruits can I eat while pregnant”?

Some of the fruits to add to your pregnancy diet are:

1. Apricots: A powerhouse of nutrients, apricots are a mandate for your baby’s development and growth. Some of these nutrients are:

• Calcium and iron
• Vitamins A, C, and E
• Potassium and beta carotene
• Phosphorus and silicon

2. Avocados: Avocados are a powerhouse of healthful fats that provide energy and help to prevent neural tube defects. Avocados are enriched with:

• Monounsaturated fatty acids
• Vitamins C, E, and K
• fibre
• Potassium and copper

3. Pomegranates: Pomegranates can provide the pregnant mum with plenty of:

• Vitamin K and calcium
• Folate and iron
• Protein and fibre

4. Guava: Guava is highly recommended during pregnancy as it is loaded with nutrients like:

• Vitamins C, E
• Polyphenols and carotenoids
• Isoflavonoids and folate

5. Apples: Apples too are highly recommended during pregnancy as these meet the nutritional requirements of both the mum and the foetus. Apples are loaded with:

• Potassium
• Iron
• Fibre

In addition to these, fruits like pears and mangoes are also safe to consume during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Now that you already know “what fruits to avoid during pregnancy”, it will be easier for you to plan a healthy diet. 

It might be difficult for you to give up some of your favourite fruits, but you should keep in mind that it will help you carry your pregnancy to term and ensure good health both for you and your baby. We wish you a healthy pregnancy!

FAQs

What can I drink while pregnant?

You can drink alcohol-free beverages and herbal tea during pregnancy to keep you refreshed.

Are carrots good for pregnant women?

Carrots are recommended to all pregnant mums as the adequate amounts of Vitamin B and folic acid in carrots are beneficial for the development of your unborn baby’s nervous system and brain.

Is ice cream good for pregnancy?

Ice cream is fine during pregnancy as long as the ice cream is made with pasteurised milk.