11 Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you’ve found your way to this post, you’re probably trying to get pregnancy, just found out you’re pregnant, or are starting to do some more research into foods for pregnancy.
Regardless, mama you are in the right place!
Now, you’ve probably found yourself wondering how to make the best of your pregnancy.
Or maybe even panicked when you realized you have no idea what you should be eating (like me- ha!).
What the heck can you eat during pregnancy?
Not all foods are good for you during pregnancy, and the same goes for fruits.
It’s recommended that you eat at least 3 helpings of fruits per day to fill your body with the nutrients it needs.
Does that mean you can eat any fruit your heightened sense of smell picks in the grocery market? No, unfortunately it doesn’t.
That’s why I’ve complied this list of fruits to avoid during pregnancy.
I included some fruits that are controversial just so you are aware of them- you and your doctor can make the final decision of course.
Want more nutrition guidance? Check out this awesome course The Perfect Pregnancy Plan.
Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy Nutrition
What the deal with fruits?
While the vitamins, fiber and minerals from fruits are essential during pregnancy, some fruits can be harmful to you and your baby.
Pregnancy is a delicate time and anything that can potentially put the baby at risk should be avoided.
Keep your developing baby safe by striking these fruits off your plate.
The biggest issues with these fruits tend to be compounds that can cause uterine contractions (aka miscarriage or early labor) or potentially heighten your risk for pregnancy health issues like diabetes.
Related read: 20 foods to avoid during early pregnancy.
Fruits to avoid in early pregnancy
The first trimester is the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. The bump may be invisible at this time, but this is when there is rapid cell division and development of your baby. Your baby’s brain, spinal cord and the nervous system develop during this time.
These fruits are bad for pregnancy and especially in the first trimester.
Half-ripe or unripe papaya
Ripe papaya is fleshy and full of vitamin A and C.
However, the sap from unripe papaya contains papain that can induce premature labor. Papain may also make the membranes that support the fetus weak, increasing the chances of a miscarriage.
A half-ripe or unripe pawpaw contains latex, an allergen that may cause breathing complications and anaphylaxis.
Best to put this fruit down and trade it for a well-washed cantaloupe!!
Grapes
I found lots of mixed literature on this fruit so take this one with a grain of salt
Grapes are rich with vitamins and fiber, making them a preference among pregnant women.
I craved the tart flavor and juiciness of grapes in my first trimester. Yet, the research I did left me wondering if I should be eating them.
Grapes contain resveratrol, a compound that can mess with your hormone balances needed for a sustainable pregnancy.
Some experts argue you’d have to eat a whole bin of grapes to get enough of this compound in your system, while other argue it’s not worth the risk.
Pineapple
Juicy, fleshy, and sweet, pineapples are great for the times you’re craving a healthy sugar rush. But if you’re pregnant, you may need to get that healthy sugar high from somewhere else.
Although the pineapples are rich in vitamins and healthy sugars, there is some research that suggests they may also induce contractions in pregnancy (another hotly debated subject)
Pineapples contain bromelain, a compound that breaks down protein. Bromelain may soften the cervix leading to premature labor.
I ate a TON of pineapple at 40 weeks pregnant when I wanted to get my labor going. It didn’t seem to work for me haha. So it’s up to you to decide what’s best. Most women I talk to aren’t willing to risk it!
Tamarind
The sour taste of tamarind makes it a preference for fighting morning sickness among many pregnant mothers.
However, it contains high levels of vitamin C which may suppress the making of progesterone.
Progesterone is the hormone that causes the thickening of the uterine wall. Thinning of the uterus may lead to miscarriage.
It may be time to switch for some ginger!
Related read: The Ultimate Guide to Morning Sickness
Fruits to avoid in your second and third trimester
Any fruit that has been mentioned to cause early contractions or hormonal imbalance is to be avoided throughout the pregnancy. By the end of the first trimester, the baby has developed all his organs.
In the second trimester, you begin to show as the baby is growing in length and weight. The organs continue to be defined and the umbilical cord thickens.
These are the foods to avoid during pregnancy in your second and third trimester.
Peaches
Pregnancy cravings know no bounds- am I the only one? 🙂
However, when it comes to peaches, moderation is key.
Apparently, a high intake of peaches may cause the body to overheat leading to internal bleeding and miscarriage.
Luckily, I love nectarines even more since they don’t come with the hairy skin.
Watermelons
There are two sides to this argument as well.
Watermelon may be a great way to stay hydrated if you’re struggling with drinking water.
Yet, watermelon is also know for it’s ability to flush toxins- something you don’t want to expose your baby to in utero (this is why a detox is never recommended during pregnancy).
Lastly, watermelon is high in sugar, which may be a concern for some women if they are at risk for gestational diabetes.
Wild apples
Small wild apples are particularly acidic- this may lead to contractions in the uterus.
If you’re pregnant, choose apples that are sweet.
Some of my favorites are the honey crisp and gala!
Bitter melon
There’s nothing sweet about the bitter melon in pregnancy.
The bitter taste in bitter melon comes from morodicine which is toxic when consumed in large quantities.
For a pregnant woman, it can be fatal for the developing baby. It also contains quinine and saponins which can irritate the uterus leading miscarriage.
Related article: First Trimester to Do List
Other fruits to consider avoiding in pregnancy
Bananas
The good, old banana might not be so good for pregnancy. Who knew?
Bananas have a high sugar content that may cause (if you’re already predisposed) or worsen gestational diabetes.
So know your family history and preserve this sweetness for the time when the baby is safely out of the womb.
On the other hand, for many women that crave refined sugar and carbs, a banana may be a nice replacement treat.
The bottom line is to know how your body responds to sugar and your family history!
Unwashed fruits
Between the farm and your kitchen, fruits go through a myriad of chemicals, pesticides and other invisible organisms.
Ensure that you have meticulously washed and rinsed the fruits in running water.
Soak them in a white vinegar solution and rinse again before consuming them.
Canned fruits
To stay fresh, canned fruits are pumped with preservatives and excessive salts.
These preservatives may be harmful to you and the developing baby.
If you want to eat canned fruits, make sure the cans are BPA free and consider rinsing them first.
Related article: 7 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy During a Pandemic
The bottom line with fruit consumption
Fruit consumption in pregnancy is not all that clear.
Anyone else notice that all topics related to pregnancy are hotly debated?
It seems everyone is afraid to make a recommendation that might harm mama or baby- which is fair, but it can leave us feeling like we’re walking on land mines!
So, take a deep breath mama! Trust your instincts and ask your doctor to provide medical advice.
If you want some fabulous guidance for eating while pregnant, check out these resources.
Try substituting these suspect fruits with safer alternatives to get your daily recommended fruits intake.
Mangoes, apricots, oranges, guava and avocado are a good fruits alternative. If morning sickness is declaring fruits persona non grata in your mouth, make fresh fruit juice and smoothies (my fav!). This makes them interesting and easier to consume.
A healthy pregnancy and safe delivery is every mother’s goal.
A healthy diet is top-of-the-list if you want to have a healthy baby. Knowing what fruits to avoid during pregnancy is a huge step in the healthy baby and mommy direction.
What fruits are you cravings these days?
What fruits are you avoiding these days?
Did I miss a fruit or do you think one of these recommendations is a wive’s tale?
I’d love to hear and discuss! Comment below!
Don’t forget we have a full list of other foods to avoid during pregnancy too. These include:
- Drinking alcohol due to risks of fetal alcohol syndrome
- Soft cheeses, lunch meat, unpasteurized mil, raw eggs, and raw meat due to risk of harmful bacteria
References
https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/10-fruits-not-eat-pregnancy/
