We are accustomed to calling hamburgers, french fries, fried chicken, instant noodles, biscuits, cola, and other foods fast food. Fast food is convenient, time-saving, tasty, and affordable, which many people enjoy. However, for pregnant women, consuming fast food regularly can have the following detrimental effects on both themselves and their babies:
Impacts on fetal organ development
Most fast food is nutritionally imbalanced, especially lacking in vitamins and minerals. If pregnant women consume fast food for an extended period without paying attention to supplementing the necessary nutrients, it can affect the growth and development of the fetus. Fast food is high in salt content, and excessive consumption of salty food can affect the development of the kidneys in both the pregnant woman and the fetus. As the fetal kidneys are not fully developed, they cannot effectively excrete excessive sodium from the blood, which can increase the chances of the child developing hypertension and kidney diseases later in life.
Restricts nutrient absorption in the fetus
Instant noodles, fried chicken, potato chips, and other fast foods often contain seasonings and additives. Regular consumption can dull the taste buds, affect normal appetite, and even cause gastrointestinal disorders and constipation, limiting the absorption of nutrients. This is highly detrimental to the development of the baby.
Increases the risk of birth defects
Spanish researchers once conducted a study on the dietary habits of 1100 pregnant women who had a habit of eating processed fast food such as french fries. The data showed that expectant mothers who consumed these foods daily gave birth to babies who weighed approximately 0.16 kilograms less and had a head circumference 0.1 inches (about 2.54 millimeters) smaller than normal newborns. The researchers pointed out that the fast food mentioned above contains a chemical called "acrylamide," which is one of the important factors leading to fetal malformation or developmental infertility.
Increases the risk of pregnancy complications
Frequent consumption of fast food can lead to obesity in both the mother and the baby. Research shows that excessive consumption of high-fat and high-calorie foods is a major cause of obesity. Especially, fast food often contains excessive trans fatty acids, which are not easily metabolized and excreted from the body for a long time. This can not only cause excessive maternal obesity but also increase the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes for pregnant women. Additionally, it can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, and other complications.
Causes abnormal behavior and taste preferences in children
Experiments have shown that animals that consume a high-fat diet during pregnancy have an increased incidence of abnormal mental and behavioral manifestations in their offspring, such as anxiety, hyperactivity, and reduced muscle strength. Some studies suggest that excessive consumption of fast food during pregnancy may lead to decreased learning ability and lack of concentration in children during their childhood. Moreover, it increases the risk of children suffering from depression.
Several studies have also shown that excessive consumption of junk food during pregnancy can lead to a preference for such foods in children after birth, which increases the risk of obesity, high blood sugar, high blood lipids, and hypertension in children (or adults).
