There are certain foods that pregnant women should never eat, some that they should be cautious about, and others that they should consume in moderation due to their effects. Let's list them one by one.
[Food that pregnant women should never eat]
1. Raw beans:
Beans such as green beans, kidney beans, adzuki beans, and white beans can cause poisoning if consumed raw or undercooked.
2. Raw soy milk:
Raw soybeans contain toxic substances. Consuming uncooked soy milk can lead to food poisoning.
3. Cassava:
The roots, stems, and leaves of cassava contain poisonous substances. Eating raw or undercooked cassava or drinking its soup can cause poisoning, leading to neurological diseases and even permanent paralysis.
4. Sprouted potatoes:
The toxin solanine in the sprouts of potatoes can be tens to hundreds of times higher than in the flesh. Ingesting it can cause mild consciousness disorders and difficulty breathing. Severe cases can lead to heart failure and respiratory paralysis.
5. Fresh gynura:
Gynura contains colchicine, a toxin that can cause symptoms of poisoning such as dry throat, burning sensation in the stomach, and hematuria. Before consumption, it needs to be fully cooked and blanched in boiling water.
6. Unripe green tomatoes:
Unripe green tomatoes contain the toxin solanine. Consuming these unripe tomatoes can cause a bitter taste in the mouth and symptoms of poisoning such as nausea and vomiting. Eating them raw is even more dangerous.
7. Rotten ginger:
Rotten ginger produces a highly toxic substance called zingerone. Ingesting this toxin, even in small amounts, can cause liver cell toxicity and degeneration.
8. Raw bamboo shoots:
Fresh bamboo shoots contain the natural toxin cyanoglycoside. Eating raw or undercooked bamboo shoots can also cause food poisoning.
[Food that pregnant women should be cautious about]
1. Aloe vera:
According to the China Food Science and Technology Society, excessive consumption of aloe vera juice during pregnancy can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, rectal bleeding, and even miscarriage.
2. Crabs:
Crabs are delicious but have a cooling nature. They have the function of promoting blood circulation and eliminating blood stasis, which can have adverse effects on pregnant women, so they should be eaten with caution.
3. Coix seed:
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that coix seed has a slippery and smooth nature and can stimulate the smooth muscles of the uterus, potentially inducing miscarriage, so it should be consumed with caution.
4. Purslane:
Purslane has a cooling and slippery nature. It has a significant stimulating effect on the uterus, increasing the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions, which can easily cause miscarriage, so it should be eaten with caution.
5. Apricots and almonds:
Due to the heavy fetal qi and fetal heat during pregnancy, it is generally recommended to consume light foods before delivery. Apricots have a warm nature, and excessive consumption can cause internal heat, so pregnant women should eat them with caution.
6. Soft-shelled turtle:
Soft-shelled turtle has a salty and cold nature, and it has a strong effect in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Therefore, it has a certain risk of causing miscarriage, so pregnant women should eat it with caution.
7. Chili pepper:
Moderate consumption of chili pepper is beneficial for the intake of comprehensive nutrients. However, excessive consumption can stimulate the intestines and stomach, causing constipation and increasing blood flow. If there is placenta previa, it should be strictly prohibited.
8. Sichuan pepper, star anise, cinnamon, five-spice powder:
These are hot condiments that can deplete intestinal moisture, reduce intestinal secretions, and cause dryness and constipation. Pregnant women should consume them as little as possible or avoid them altogether.
