Beliefs and Facts about Foods during Pregnancy in India

What are pregnancy 'Hot and Cold Foods'?

Belief: 'Hot foods' will cause miscarriage

False

Eating hot foods results in overheating causing miscarriage. Hot foods include: Papaya, Banana, Coconut, Pineapples, Red Chilies, Eggplant, Okra, Jackfruit, Potatoes, Nuts, Meat, Fish, Chicken, and eggs.

Belief: Increase in body heat causes morning sickness.

False

The 'Hot Food' cause increase in body heat resulting in nausea, dizziness, swelling of feet and hands.

Belief: 'Cold foods' will help with pregnancy.

False

Pregnancy is considered as a time of increased heat for the woman. Eating cold foods has a cooling effect that is beneficial during pregnancy. Cold foods include: Dairy products, vegetables and fruits that are not hot.

Belief: Overeating causes problems during labor.

False

It is believed that over eating causes very large fetus, causing complications during labor.

Belief: Ghee, and Butter are good, they provide 'Taqat' (Strength)

False

Ghee, Butter and Coconut Oil are high in saturated fats and should be avoided for the health of the mother.

Belief: Jackfruit, Pineapple and Bananas are bad for the fetus

False

Belief: Almonds help in the fetal brain development.

False

Almonds are very beneficial for pregnant women as a source of Vitamin E, proteins, and folate. However, they do not effect the brain development of the fetus.

Belief: Consumption of Turmeric lightens the skin pigmentation of the unborn

False

Turmeric is an excellent antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcerative. It increases s detoxifying enzymes in the liver, and may lower bad cholesterol level. Still it does not effect the skin pigmentation of the unborn.

Belief: Consumption of milk with saffron lightens the skin pigmentation of the unborn

False

Belief: Consuming Whole sesame seeds darken the skin pigmentation of the unborn.

False

Belief: Combination of fish and milk can result in deformed fetus

False

Moghul emperors brought this Islamic religious belief to India during sixteenth century. Similarly, combination of red meat and milk is shunned by Jewish faith as well by some Christians.

Belief: Sesame seeds cause abortion.

False

Belief: Brahmi (Gotu Kola) may cause spontaneous abortion.

True

Belief: Papaya can cause miscarriage

Partially true

The white latex in the un-ripe green Papaya can cause miscarriage. However, there is nothing wrong with fully ripened Papaya.

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