In general, eating a
lot of fresh fruits and vegetables during your pregnancy is a good
thing. You need the vitamins, minerals and fiber they provide. Plus,
opting for unprocessed, "whole" foods is generally a healthier choice
overall. There are no specific types of fruit pregnant women are advised
to avoid, but there are still some categories to keep a watchful eye
on.
Unwashed Fruit
The
outer surface of raw fruit can harbor harmful bacteria such as
listeria, which can cause devastating complications in pregnant women.
Pregnant women are 20 times more likely to develop listeriosis than
non-pregnant women, probably because your immune system function less
effectively during pregnancy, the American Pregnancy Association
explains. Other pathogens such as E. coli are of lesser danger but
still serious threats to both you and your fetus. Heat will kill these
organisms, so cooked fruit is generally safe. If you're not going to
cook it, wash your fruit with soap and water to eliminate surface
bacteria; scrub firm fruits like melon with a brush. Refrigerating fruit
won't prevent the growth of listeria, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention cautions.
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Non-Organic Fruit
The
data on the danger of pesticide residues on fruit and vegetables to
pregnant women is still skimpy. Nonetheless, if you're at all worried,
choose organic fruit over conventionally grown produce. According to The
Environmental Working Group, the fruits with the most pesticides are
peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, cherries, grapes
and pears.
Unpasteurized Juice
Like
unwashed whole fruit, unpasteurized fruit juice can be a vector for
foodborne pathogens such as salmonella, cryptosporidium and E. coli.
When juice is pasteurized, it's heated to a temperature that kills any
pathogens present. If you're worried that this process also reduces the
vitamin and mineral content of your juice, you have another choice:
juice your own fruit and drink it right away. Remember to wash your
fruit first.
Acidic Fruit
High-acid
fruit such as pineapple, cranberries and all citrus fruits including
lemons, limes, oranges and tangerines aren't likely to pose any serious
health dangers in pregnant women. However, you may still wish to avoid
them if you are experiencing any symptoms of heartburn or reflux, a
common concern during pregnancy. Acidic foods can aggravate these
symptoms.
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