Introduction
A good and balanced diet during pregnancy is particularly important for both mother and child. All food that the pregnant woman eats reaches the unborn child via the umbilical cord. Since the unborn child does not have fully developed, fully functional organs, especially at the beginning of pregnancy (3rd to 8th week of pregnancy), the metabolism and excretion of some foods and their breakdown products is almost impossible.
For this reason, attention should be paid during pregnancy not only to the diet but also to the choice of drinks. A strict diet or one-sided nutrition is not at all sensible. Many women notice a strong weight gain during pregnancy, which is however within the range of 8-16kg completely normal and does not require a reduction of the daily food intake.
In order to be able to support the development of the child in the womb in the best possible way, it is recommended to avoid some foods that are incompatible/prohibited for the unborn child. These include in particular raw animal products (e.g. raw milk) and unwashed fruit and vegetables. Whether or not foods contain raw milk can be easily determined from the information on the packaging, as all raw milk products must be labelled as such in Germany.
But pregnant women should also be particularly careful with all other raw products. Before eating them, they should always be thoroughly washed or ideally boiled, fried or deep-fried. In this way, possible harmful pathogens can be killed, which could be dangerous for the unborn child or, in the worst case, could even cause malformations or miscarriages. If there are still uncertainties regarding the compatibility of individual foods, it is advisable to consult the treating gynaecologist or midwife.
Prohibited and permitted foods during pregnancy
- Raw milk, raw milk products (e.g. camembert, feta)
- Unwashed fruit and vegetables, ready made salad, unheated sprouts
- Alcohol! (see: Alcohol during pregnancy)
- Caffeine (coffee, cola, energy drinks)
- Raw meat (including salami, tea sausage)
- Raw fish (e.g. Sushi)
- Meat salads without preservatives
- Raw eggs (mayonnaise, tiramisu)
- Food from open counters
- Finished sandwiches
- Offal (reduction of consumption recommended)
- Pasteurized dairy products
- Washed and peeled fruits and vegetables
- Boiled vegetables
- Boiled meat
- Meat salads with preservatives
- Boiled eggs
- Bread, rolls, muesli
- Decaffeinated coffee, green tea
- Juices, water
- Non-alcoholic wine/beer
- Fried fish, canned fish
