Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy: Hotpot, Spicy Boiled Dishes, Cold Foods & Tonic Herbs
Pregnant women need to pay special attention to their diet, as some foods – though delicious – may affect the fetus. This article summarizes four categories of foods to avoid or consume with caution: Hotpot (undercooked meat may carry parasites; infection can lead to fetal malformation); Spicy boiled dishes (spicy stimulation can cause上火 “heatiness” and constipation, which may lead to intestinal toxemia in severe cases); Cold-natured foods (frozen pears, watermelon, etc., may cause vascular spasms, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even miscarriage or premature labor); Warm-tonic herbs (ginseng, dried longan, etc., are too warming and may trigger threatened miscarriage). Additionally, although soy milk is healthy, excessive intake can burden the kidneys. Expectant mothers should keep these taboos in mind for the wellbeing of both mother and baby.
