Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy

What you eat during pregnancy will impact your health and your baby’s health. If you follow a healthy diet, you will have a healthy pregnancy, and your baby will develop properly. In order to meet your nutritional requirements, you should eat healthy foods, like fruits, veggies, and whole grains. However, there’s a catch. There are some fruits and veggies that may not be suitable for pregnancy. While most fruits are recommended during pregnancy, there are also certain fruits to avoid while pregnant for the sake of your baby and your health. This article is going to be your comprehensive guide on fruits that are not safe for consumption during pregnancy.

Why Should You Avoid Eating Some Fruits When Pregnant?

We all know that fruits are healthy for pregnancy, and doctors recommend eating as many fruits as women can. Then what is the reason for pregnant women to avoid some fruits when they are pregnant?

Let’s get to the bottom of this issue.

It is important to note that no studies or research has concluded that fruit consumption is harmful to pregnant women. However, certain fruits have been possibly linked to pregnancy complications, and pregnant women are advised to avoid them to avoid such issues.

That said, all fruits must be thoroughly washed and cleaned to get rid of soil, bacteria, or pesticides present on them before consumption by expecting women (1) (2).

There are also cases when women are advised to go easy on highly sugary fruits and fruit juices when they are facing gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is harmful to the pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Thus, extreme caution needs to be exercised when it comes to sugary foods.

Similarly, if certain fruits aggravate your nausea or heartburn, start an allergy, or spike your blood sugar level, then you may have to skip them for a while or change to a different serving size (3).

So, what fruits to avoid in pregnancy? Let’s check them out.

List of Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy

While most fruits do contain the required vitamins and nutrients that your body needs during pregnancy, especially when the foetus undergoes a growth spurt, there are some fruits not to eat during pregnancy. Some fruits may jeopardise the foetus’s health, while others can possibly lead to a miscarriage. Here is a list of fruits that you should not eat during pregnancy:

1. Pineapple in Excess

Pineapple is known to have an enzyme called bromelain that breaks down protein. It is believed to soften the cervix, sharp uterine contractions, and result in early labour. According to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, the duration of stage 1 and stage 2 labour was shorter in pregnant women who consumed 100g of pineapple compared to the control group. Thus, it was concluded that eating pineapple could lead to a reduction in the length of labour (4). That is why many people advise against consuming pineapple in the first trimester of pregnancy.

However, due to a lack of sufficient evidence, pregnant women are advised to control their servings of pineapple during pregnancy, as eating it in excess may upset their stomach.

2. Unripe Papayas

While papayas are rich in macronutrients and vitamins essential for your body, they are one of the fruits that come with caution for pregnant women. It is to be noted that ripe papayas are safe for pregnant women, but unripe or semi-ripe papayas are unsafe.

A 2002 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, performed on rats, revealed that normal consumption of ripe papaya won’t pose any significant danger. The unripe or semi-ripe papaya, on the contrary, is rich in latex, leading to uterine contractions or bleeding, and could be unsafe for pregnant moms. That said, further study on this concern is required to ascertain the ultimate risk of unripe or semi-ripe papaya in humans (5). This, avoid eating unripe or semi-ripe papayas.

Also Read: Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

How Many Fruits Should You Eat During Pregnancy?

You can consume two to four servings of nutritious fruits daily. Usually, one serving of fruit includes a cup of cut fruit or a medium piece of the whole fruit.

Fruits That You Can Eat During Pregnancy

Fruits are known to be the best appetisers as they are both healthy and perfect food items when craving sugar. Pair them with yoghurt, in smoothies, as a snack or a salad; the choice is yours. Let’s check some healthy fruits you should not skip on during pregnancy (6).

• Apples
• Bananas
• Oranges
• Pomegranates
• Mangoes
• Berries

Apples are wonder fruits packed with vitamins A and C, potassium, pectin, and fibre that helps put good bacteria in your gut. Research has shown that maternal consumption of apples reduces the risk of asthma and allergies in babies over time (7). Similarly, bananas are famous for their potassium and folic acid abundance and are recommended during pregnancy (8). They are also rich in vitamin C, B6, and fibre. While the high fibre content relieves constipation during pregnancy, vitamin B6 saves the day by providing relief from vomiting and nausea in early pregnancy days. Ripe bananas have a good amount of sugar, so diabetic people should avoid eating them.

A perfect source of hydration and citrus craving, orange is your best bet! Oranges are rich in vitamin C, folate, and water. Vitamin C helps in iron absorption and prevents cell damage while folate in it prevents spinal cord and brain defects (9). Berries are nutrient-dense, help increase the immune system, absorb iron, and are a good energy source. The original flavours and nutrients in berries are lost if you freeze them, and eating the same can be toxic to you and your baby. That is why you may want to opt for fresh berries rather than the frozen or canned variety.

Can Pregnant Women Drink Fruit Juice?

Pregnant women are strongly advised to avoid fresh juices for the simple reason that non-pasteurised juices can lead to digestion-related illnesses. So when you are consuming fruit juice, make sure that it is pasteurised.

If you are craving a glass of juice, drink prune juice as it can help alleviate constipation. You can even try drinking Vitamin C juice which has folic acid and can enable your foetus to develop normally while preventing conditions such as spina bifida. But overall, it is a good idea for all expectant women to avoid fruit juices.

FAQs

1. What are the fruits that may cause choking hazards during pregnancy?

Grapes and fruits with large seeds or pips pose a choking hazard. Thus, these should be carefully consumed during pregnancy.

2. What fruits should be avoided during pregnancy if you have gestational diabetes?

Fruits that are high in sugar have a high glycemic index (GI) that can raise blood sugar levels quickly. If you are suffering from gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, you should avoid high-sugary fruits or reduce their servings after consulting your doctor. Mangoes, grapes, pineapple, cherries, ripe bananas, and watermelon are some sugary fruits (10).

Now that you know which fruits are not safe for consumption during pregnancy, avoid them at all costs. There are several pieces of advice about what fruit is not good for pregnancy, but the ultimate decision lies in a proper consultation with the doctor. In the beginning, it will be difficult for you to give up some of your favourite veggies and fruits, but keep in mind that it will help you carry your pregnancy to term and ensure good health both for you and your baby. Have a healthy pregnancy!

Disclaimer: The above article is for educational purposes only. It does not in any way replace expert advice. Thus, it is advised that you consult your doctor before avoiding or consuming any fruit for the optimal health of your baby and yourself.

References/Resources:

1. Foods to avoid in pregnancy; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/

2. Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20043844

3. What NOT to Eat During Pregnancy: Foods You Should Avoid While Pregnant and Why; Family Health Centers of San Diego; https://www.fhcsd.org/prenatal-care/what-not-to-eat-during-pregnancy-foods-to-avoid/

4. Gulati. C, Deshpande. H. G, et al.; Evaluation of Role of Pineapple in the Duration of Labour; Journal of Scientific & Technical Research; https://biomedres.us/pdfs/BJSTR.MS.ID.006984.pdf; May 2022

5. Adebiyi. A, Adaikan. P. G, Prasad. R. N. V; Papaya (Carica papaya) consumption is unsafe in pregnancy: fact or
fable? Scientific evaluation of a common belief in some parts of Asia using a rat model; British Journal of Nutrition; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/D07C5CC7993552C35D68A5AB770C19EF/S0007114502001526a.pdf/papaya-carica-papaya-consumption-is-unsafe-in-pregnancy-fact-or-fable-scientific-evaluation-of-a-common-belief-in-some-parts-of-asia-using-a-rat-model.pdf; March 2002

6. Nutrition During Pregnancy; Johns Hopkins Medicine; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/nutrition-during-pregnancy 

7. Willers SM, Devereux G, Craig LC, McNeill G, Wijga AH, Abou El-Magd W, Turner SW, Helms PJ, Seaton A. Maternal food consumption during pregnancy and asthma, respiratory and atopic symptoms in 5-year-old children. Thorax.; PubMed Central; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2117307/; September 2007

8. Healthy Eating for Pregnancy and Lactation; McKinley Health Center; https://mckinley.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/docs/pregnancylactation.pdf; August 2018

9. 10 foods to eat and avoid during pregnancy; UC Davis Health; https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/10-foods-to-eat-and-avoid-during-pregnancy/2019/09

10. Which Fruits Have the Most Sugar?; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/fruits-high-in-sugar

Also Read:

Foods That Can Cause Miscarriage
Drinks and Beverages to Avoid in pregnancy
Indian Foods That Can Be Harmful During Pregnancy