Foods to avoid in the first 3 months of pregnancy

Nutrition during pregnancy is very important because it will directly affect the mother’s health and the weight and development of the fetus. In the first 3 months of pregnancy, mothers need to pay more attention to their nutrition and avoid certain foods that can affect the health of mother and baby. Here are the foods to avoid during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

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1. How important is nutrition in the first 3 months of pregnancy?

The first 3 months of pregnancy is extremely important for the formation and development of the fetus with important milestones such as the baby’s nervous system will begin to form from the 4th week of pregnancy. At the 6th week of pregnancy, the brain and the baby’s spinal cord will be formed, while developing the heart and some internal organs. By the 12th week of pregnancy, the fetus is almost complete with its body parts.

Drink milk to supplement protein for pregnant mother and fetus

Therefore, at this important stage, the fetus needs a lot of nutrients to develop, in which some important nutrients can be mentioned such as folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, etc. If you provide enough of these nutrients, the fetus can face a number of problems such as malformations, malnutrition and most seriously, it can cause miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant mothers need to pay attention to a scientific and nutritious diet for the healthy development of the fetus. On the other hand, when supplementing with adequate nutrients, pregnant women can also ensure the best health during pregnancy.

• Some essential nutrients in the first 3 months of pregnancy:

– Energy: On average, each pregnant woman needs 2300 – 2400 kcal/day.

– Folic acid: This is an important nutrient to limit the risk of neural tube defects for the fetus. Some foods are high in folic acid such as poultry, whole grains and dark green vegetables. Pregnant women can also supplement with folic acid under the guidance of a doctor.

Pregnant women should eat a variety of foods

Protein: The effect of protein is to help fetal tissue develop, help the mother grow breast and uterine tissue during pregnancy, and increase blood production for a healthy mother and fetus. Some foods contain a lot of protein that pregnant women should add in their daily meals such as fish, chicken, lean beef, pork, eggs, milk, etc.

Iron: Pregnant women need iron supplements to prevent anemia. On average, a pregnant woman needs about 36-40mg of iron per day. It is possible to supplement iron through some foods such as red meat, nuts, green vegetables, … or pregnant women can also consult a doctor to supplement iron tablets.

– Vitamin A: Every day pregnant women need to supplement with 600mcg of vitamin A. You can supplement vitamin A through some foods such as yellow and red vegetables, dark green vegetables, meats, milk, etc.

– Calcium and vitamin D: This is an indispensable micronutrient for pregnant women during pregnancy. Calcium and vitamin D are essential for the fetus to form a healthy skeletal system. Mothers can supplement calcium from seafood, eggs, beans, etc. To absorb vitamin D, mothers should sunbathe early or supplement with vitamin D-containing products.

– Vitamin C: The important role of vitamin C is to help strengthen the immune system and is extremely necessary for pregnant women. To supplement vitamin D, mothers should eat some vegetables such as papaya, oranges, ….

– In addition, pregnant women also need to supplement some trace elements such as Magnesium, Iodine, Selenium, Zinc, DHA/EPA,… also need to be added to the diet for the first 3 months of pregnancy. .

Note, pregnant women with morning sickness can refer to some of the following ways to ensure adequate nutrition for both mother and fetus:

+ Divide the daily diet to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by morning sickness.

Eat a variety of foods to avoid feeling anorexia.

+ Ensure a scientific and healthy diet.

+ Should exercise gently, can practice breathing or do some yoga exercises for pregnant women, … to help the digestive system work better, reduce morning sickness and eat better.

2. Foods to avoid in the first 3 months of pregnancy

Pregnant women need to be careful when planning a diet because not all foods are suitable for pregnant women, and some even increase the risk of miscarriage and affect the health of the fetus. Here are the facts Foods to abstain in the first 3 months Pregnant:

Pregnant women should not eat pineapple

– Pineapple: The bromelain in pineapple can cause uterine contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage, so pregnant women should avoid eating pineapple during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

– Crab: Eating a lot of crabs can also cause uterine contractions, there is a risk of internal bleeding and more dangerously can cause stillbirth in the first 3 months. Moreover, in this food also contains a lot of cholesterol which is not good for pregnant women.

– Aloe vera: During the first 3 months, pregnant women should abstain from aloe vera because this food can cause pelvic bleeding, thereby increasing the risk of miscarriage.

– Sesame: Combining sesame with honey can lead to miscarriage, so pregnant women should not consume this food during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Pregnant women should abstain from green papaya

– Green papaya is also one of the foods that should be avoided in the first 3 months of pregnancy because green papaya contains some enzymes that increase the risk of uterine contractions and can lead to miscarriage.

– Animal liver: If you regularly eat animal liver, the body of pregnant women will accumulate a lot of retinol, which will adversely affect the development of the fetus.

Moringa: The alpha sitosterol in moringa may be the cause of an increased risk of miscarriage. Therefore, you should stay away from this type of food.

– In addition, pregnant women should also abstain from raw foods, seafood with high mercury content, stimulants, should not eat too salty during pregnancy.

The above are some notes on the mother’s nutrition, especially the foods that should be abstained in the first 3 months of pregnancy to help pregnant women ensure the health and development of the fetus. To find out more, please call the operator 1900 56 56 56 to be answered by doctors of MEDLATEC General Hospital.