FRUITS PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD AVOID DURING THEIR FIRST TRIMESTER

The period of pregnancy is said to be one of the most delicate and sensitive period of any woman's life, hence, care should be properly taken to avoid any health related issues which have the potential of causing harmful impact on pregnant mothers. To this effect, I'll like to unveil to you, six (6) major fruits women should avoid taking during the first trimester of pregnancy. Kindly follow me as i proceed;

1. Pineapple

Pineapple is a healthy fruit rich in vitamin and fibers, however, it's not ideal for pregnant women to consume it within the first trimester of pregnancy. This is because eating pineapple can lead to sharp uterine contractions, which can in turn, lead to a miscarriage. Morealso, Pineapple contains bromelain, which is an enzyme that breaks down protein. It can soften the cervix and could result in early labour. This is why it is strongly advisable to avoid consuming pineapple during the course of your pregnancy to avoid miscarriages or still birth.

2. Bananas

It is no doubt that eating bananas during pregnancy is considered safe, but in certain cases, they should be avoided. Pregnant women suffering from allergies and those who have diabetes or gestational diabetes are strongly advised against eating bananas. Bananas contains a latex-like enzyme called chitinase which is a known allergen that increases body heat. So women who are allergic to chitinase are advised not consume bananas. Morealso, diabetic people are strongly advised to avoid eating bananas too because of the unregulated amount of sugar contents in bananas.

3. Watermelon

It is known that watermelon is generally healthy for the heart and it enables our body to flush out poisonous waste called toxins thereby regulating the loss of water in the body through hydration. Despite this, it should be known that eating watermelon during pregnancy may expose your baby (foetus) to the various toxins that the watermelon flushes out. If consumed in excess, the sugar content in it may raise your blood glucose levels. At times, the diuretic ultrafilterating properties of watermelons can even flush out the essential nutrients along with toxins from your body. Besides, pregnant mothers are advised to desist from watermelon because it's a cold inducing food.

4. Pawpaw

Despite the fact that Papaya is a macronutrient essential for the body proper functionality, it can cause a shoot up in your body temperature which is not good during pregnancy. Apart from this, it causes uterine contractions, bleeding, and even miscarriage due to its latex content. So it is safe to avoid eating both ripe as well as unripe pawpaw.

5. Frozen Berries

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Pregnant ladies should avoid frozen berries or anything that has been freeze-dried or frozen over extended periods of time. It is always a good idea to consume fresh fruits rather than opting for frozen berries. The original flavour and nutrients in berries are lost if you freeze it, and eating the same can be toxic to both you and your baby. This is why you may want to opt for fresh berries rather than the frozen or canned variety.

6. Tamarind

Though it is usual or always natural to crave for something desirable during pregnancy, and you might think of tamarind instantly, but eating tamarind during pregnancy does more harm than good. Tamarind has long been used as an antidote to morning sickness and nausea. However, moderation is the key with regards to eating tamarind. Tamarind contains high amounts of Vitamin C, which is capable of suppressing the production of progesterone in your body if taken in excess. Low levels of progesterone can lead to miscarriages, pre-term birth, and even lead to cell damage in the foetus. So it is safe during the first trimester to desist from consuming too much tamarind.

So from the few points I've outlined above, i hope you can now see the need to help safe a life of a pregnant mother out there. Thank you

For more details on women's health, kindly go through the references below.

References

1. timesofindian.com
2. allaboutwomen.md
3. parenting.firstcry.com
4. webmd.com