How Often Can I Eat Junk Food During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy craving might make it difficult for you to resist junk food. However, researchers have suggested that regular consumption of junk food can result in pregnancy complications and affect the future health of the baby. Therefore, if you are used to consuming such food before conception, pregnancy is the time to change the food preferences.

1. This would be beneficial not only during pregnancy but also for better health and wellbeing in the future both for you and the child.
2. A healthy food habit during pregnancy could be the foundation stone of a healthy food habit and preferences of the child.
3. What is junk food? These are fried and/ or processed food with very high calorie, salt and/ or sugar (often unrefined) content.

They usually have no or very minimal nutritional value. They do not contain necessary protein, fibre, vitamins and other micronutrients required for good health and wellbeing. Commonly they are very rich in carbohydrate and fat. Therefore, regular consumption of junk food can make you prone to develop Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

They might also contain artificial flavours and food preservatives for delicious taste and longer shelf-life. Some of them can be harmful to health too when consumed in higher quantities. Junk food is often slow to stimulate the brain’s satiety centre. As a result, people tend to consume them in big portion sizes.

Due to its taste and appearance, many people often eat them quite frequently. Junk food has grown popularity all across the world and all age groups, especially among young age groups. They are often cheap, easily available, convenient, and on-the-go food.

Therefore, it is not surprising why this is so popular in this busy modern life. Moreover, as a result of huge marketing and advertising, its presence is quite significant in people’s mindset. Without a doubt, junk food is a serious health concern globally. In this context, it is important to know about fast food and processed food.

Fast food is quicker to prepare and served when ordered. Apart from some exceptions (such as some healthy salads), fast food is usually of junk food category. Processed food, on the other hand, are those which has been altered in some way. After manufacturing, they have packaged in boxes or cans and lines the supermarket shelves.

1. Although some processed foods are healthy (such as frozen fruits or pasteurised milk, or fortified grains), many of them could be detrimental to health.
2. Therefore, utmost care should be taken when picking them up from the supermarket shelves or buying online.
3. Can the consumption of junk food before pregnancy cause a problem? Some studies have revealed that the consumption of junk food can cause delay and difficulty in conceiving.

Moreover, pre-pregnancy consumption of fast food in large quantities may increase the risk of gestational diabetes. Why junk food could be harmful during pregnancy? 1. Nutritional needs: Good nutrition is the key to health and wellbeing during pregnancy.

Junk food does not meet the nutritional requirements of pregnancy and breastfeeding.2. Gestational weight gain: Consuming large quantities of junk food may result in excessive gestational weight gain. This increases the risk of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, and body image issues.3.

Food-borne disease: Exposure to poorly-cooked food and processed food can cause food poisoning and food-borne infections such as listeriosis. How junk food affects the baby? It is now well-known that events during pregnancy can shape and contribute future health of the child through a process known as ‘Fetal Programming’.

• Consumption of junk food by the mother during pregnancy can contribute to future health problems of the child in the following way: 1.
• Altered food habit: Research on animal models has shown that when high-fat and high sugar diets, then the babies develop a preference for such food later in life.
• The exact cause is not known but some changes in the baby’s brain neurological networks (such as the ‘reward system’) and metabolism could be responsible.2.

Risk of asthma and allergies: Studies have shown that a very high sugar intake during pregnancy increases the risk of childhood asthma and allergy. Therefore, added sugar (by the manufacturer or the consumer) in the food should be avoided or kept to a minimum during pregnancy.

1. This includes sugar naturally present in food such as honey and unsweetened fruit juices.3.
2. Acrylamide exposure: Research indicated that junk food during pregnancy can increase the risk of acrylamide exposure to the fetus.
3. This is believed to cause intrauterine growth restriction.
4. Acrylamide is also thought to be carcinogenic.

Acrylamide is formed when the food rich high in starch (for example, potatoes and bread) and baked/ cooked at very high temperatures. Therefore, could be present in food like potato chips and fries. On a different note, acrylamide could be present in cigarette smoke.4.

• Mental health problems: There is some scientific evidence to suggest that consuming unhealthy food during pregnancy increases mental health conditions of the child.5.
• Increased fetal weight (‘Big Baby’ or ‘Macrosomia’): Pregnant mother’s diet high in junk food may result in increased fetal weight at birth.

It is well known that high infant birth weight can slow down labour and increase chances of medical interventions (such as Caesarean section and instrumental deliveries). Advice for pregnant women: Pregnancy is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the food habits and change to a healthy lifestyle.

• This would be beneficial not only to reduce pregnancy complications but also to reduce health problems for the child.1.
• Avoid junk food whenever possible and should not be a part of regular meals.2.
• Check the labels before buying processed food online or from the supermarkets.
• For example, avoid buying canned food with syrup, salted water and brine.

Rather look for the canned food with natural juice, plain/spring water or olive oil. Opt for low sugar and low-fat options, such as fat-free yoghurt and food with no added sugar. Avoid ready meals/ pre-cooked meals.3. Avoid processed/ undercooked meat: Take care when buying sandwiches/ burgers as they may contain undercooked meat or soft cheese.
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Is it OK to eat junk food during pregnancy?

Harmful Effects of Junk Foods during Pregnancy – Junk foods though are great as an appetizer but it is as harmful as eating trash. It affects a normal person very easily so you can imagine how harmful the effect will be to a pregnant lady. This even creates a harsh effect on the baby inside the womb too.

1. When an expecting mommy eats all those sugar and salt-rich foods which are undoubtedly less nutritive value, it is absorbed by the placenta as well.
2. Thus, interfering with the healthy development and resulting in an obese baby or a baby with health disorders including mental health disorders as well.

It is undoubtedly bad to eat junk food in general and especially during pregnancy because if you are eating junk food regularly, you are putting your and your baby’s health at risk. You will gain unwanted and unhealthy weight that can pose problems during delivery, as the weight gain during pregnancy can’t be lost during the pregnancy.

Unhealthy and Unwanted Weight Gain: The most obvious effect of eating junk foods is weight gain. Junk foods can make a person overweight and obese easily. It has a significantly higher risk of serious complications in women body during pregnancy. The consequences can be high blood pressure or Hypertension, pregnancy induced hypertension, various birth defects. Hence, to minimize the risks, obese mothers should maintain the weight gain limit. Doctors often recommend couples to plan the pregnancy after having a fit and healthy body. Especially to the mothers. It becomes too much difficulty to carry an extra weight during the last few month if someone is obese. There are many cases of miscarriage happens at the last stage of pregnancy because of the obese period. Fetal Development: You may not know that a lack of protein during pregnancy interferes with the proper kidney development in the fetus. If you are having a protein deficient diet then the kidney of the offspring remain underdeveloped. So, this process causes a massive development of high blood pressure and renal disease as the babies while reaching to adulthood. Doctors say that the adult hypertension and coronary heart disease may happen by intrauterine exposure to poor nutrition. Increases the risk of premature delivery: Eating too much of junk food that has no fibre can put unnecessary pressure on bowel movement which may lead to rupture of your water bag thus terminating the pregnancy. Constipation: Constipation is another hazard that can lead to a termination of your pregnancy, as it put unnecessary pressure on your bowel movement Behaviour disorder: If you are too much into eating junk and oily foods during pregnancy, there are chances you may behave weirdly. Doctors say that childhood obesity is inter connected with the increased risk of depression, attention deficit disorder and obviously poor learning. Many types of research say that pregnant women who eat doughnuts, chips, oily foods, candies too much, have a risk of defective child birth. Basically, the baby brain and mother’s brain to react in a different manner.

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Can eating junk food hurt my baby?

Eating fast food during pregnancy may be tempting to many women because your body may cause you to crave salty or sweet food. However, eating junk food may not be a good option because pregnant women need nutrient-rich food to nourish themselves and the growing fetus.

• Since junk food is low on nutrients, eating it can adversely affect the baby’s health,
• Some negative effects of junk food may be an increase in digestive issues, weight gain, and risk of genetic abnormalities in children.
• Therefore, it is recommended to adopt healthy eating habits and choose your food options mindfully.

This post shares some side effects of eating junk food while pregnant and how you can curb the craving.
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How many times a week can you eat junk food?

Tips for Being Healthy – One way to figure out whether a food is a junk food is to think about how processed it is. When we think of foods in their whole and original forms, like a fresh tomato, a grain of rice, or milk squeezed from a cow, we can then start to imagine how many steps are involved to transform that whole food into something that is ready-to-eat, tasty, convenient, and has a long shelf life.

For teenagers 13–14 years old, the recommended daily energy intake is 8,200–9,900 kJ/day or 1,960 kcal-2,370 kcal/day for boys and 7,400–8,200 kJ/day or 1,770–1,960 kcal for girls, according to the Australian dietary guidelines. Of course, the more physically active you are, the higher your energy needs.

Remember that junk foods are okay to eat occasionally, but they should not make up more than 10% of your daily energy intake. In a day, this may be a simple treat such as a small muffin or a few squares of chocolate. On a weekly basis, this might mean no more than two fast-food meals per week.
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Is it OK to eat junk food once a week?

06 /7 ​Indulge in small portions – Fast food contains a lot of unhealthy ingredients like sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, and a lot of calories. While eating fast food once a week will not pose any harm in the short run, once you start regularly indulging in cheat meals, all these ingredients can come back to haunt your body.
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Can I eat McDonald’s while pregnant?

Last Updated on September 22, 2021 The McDonald’s menu poses a difficult choice for pregnant women, including the question of whether you should eat ‘junk food’ at all. Whatever the reason – a craving, a kids’ birthday party or sheer convenience on a day when it’s the nearest restaurant, pregnant women ought to know what they can and can’t eat at Mcdonald’s (or Macca’s, as some call it).

1. Can I eat Mcdonalds Whilst Pregnant? There are many items on the McDonalds menu containing ingredients that are safe for pregnant women.
2. However, processed food is never a great choice in pregnancy.
3. You’ll have to ensure your order is cooked fresh, and also adapt it by avoiding some ingredients.
4. Junk and processed food contain high amounts of sugar, fat, salt and calories, all of which should be avoided in pregnancy.

Suffice to say, keep junk food consumption as low as you can when you’re pregnant. However, I’ve heard from many women that this isn’t just about cravings or simply ‘wanting a burger’, but sometimes fast food is the only thing they can ‘keep down’ when experiencing severe nausea,

1. Rather than guilt-trip women about eating fast food, I’ve tried to put together a guide on which Mcdonald’s items are safe, which foods are the healthiest options, and which should be avoided.
2. Since the McDonald’s menu can change from time to time and is different in many countries, I’ve broken down the choices for the most broadly available items, and the ones that cause pregnant women the most concern.

The ‘healthiest’ item in each category is also highlighted, too:
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Can I eat KFC while pregnant?

ALL CHICKEN PRODUCTS CONTAIN MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INFANTS BELOW 12 MONTHS AND PREGNANT WOMEN.
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Why am I craving junk food when pregnant?

From fried pickles to ice cream at midnight, women have some pretty crazy food cravings during pregnancy. Blame the extreme hormonal changes that expectant women experience, which play a major role in their sense of taste and smell. So even if you were never a potato chip junkie, don’t be surprised if you find yourself inhaling a canister of Pringles.
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Can I eat fried food while pregnant?

Overall Tips for Foods to avoid During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding – Pregnancy and breastfeeding will likely make you take a closer look at the foods you eat. Your nutritional needs aren’t the only consideration any longer—you also have to eat for your little one.

• There are a number of specific foods to avoid while pregnant, but a good rule of thumb is to avoid foods with “extras” in them when pregnant or breastfeeding.br This can be anything that contains added sugars and fats—like desserts, candy, soft drinks, and other sweetened beverages.
• Fried foods, fatty meats, and certain cheeses should also be avoided if possible.

Instead, opt for healthy choices to ensure you and baby are getting all of the nutrients you both need.
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Can too much salt harm unborn baby?

What happens if I eat too much salt in pregnancy? – Your kidneys regulate the amount of sodium in your blood, but they can get overworked if you eat too much salt. If the amount of sodium in your blood gets too high, the body holds onto more water to help dilute it.

1. The increased fluid in your bloodstream puts more pressure on your cardiovascular system.
2. The result? Getting too much salt in your diet – whether you’re pregnant or not – can lead to high blood pressure and, eventually, heart disease.
3. High blood pressure during pregnancy (known as gestational hypertension), in turn, may increase your risk of preeclampsia,

This pregnancy complication is characterized by high blood pressure; left untreated, it can lead to complications including preterm birth and cardiovascular disease later in life. One large study found that pregnant women who ate more than 3,700 milligrams of sodium per day had a 54 percent greater risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and a 20 percent increased risk of developing preeclampsia than those who ate less than 2,600 milligrams of sodium daily.
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How many cheat days a month?

– Cheating within a diet plan involves giving yourself calculated, planned permission to temporarily break strict diet rules. The theory behind this reward-based diet strategy is that by allowing yourself brief periods of indulgence, you’ll be more likely to stick to your prescribed diet the majority of the time.

• When using the cheat strategy, people will typically employ either a cheat meal or cheat day approach.
• As the names imply, a cheat meal is a single meal that veers from your planned diet pattern, while a cheat day allows for free food choices for an entire day.
• Cheat diet methods are highly variable.
• How they’re implemented may look very different for different people, depending on an individual’s diet preferences and goals.

The foods you eat as cheat meals will also vary from person to person due to individual tastes, but they often consist of high-calorie foods that wouldn’t otherwise be permitted on a typical diet plan. There is no specific guideline for when or how frequently your cheat meal or day should occur.

Often people will include one cheat per week, but this can change depending on what the person’s health or weight loss goals are. In this way, the cheat strategy is adaptable and can be implemented alongside many different diet patterns, Note that the cheat meal approach is not appropriate for all diet styles.

Some diets, such as the ketogenic diet, require very strict adherence with no room for cheating. Therefore, the cheat strategy is best utilized in diets that allow for some flexibility. Summary Cheat meals are scheduled meals that include indulgent foods that wouldn’t ordinarily be permitted on your diet.
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How long does junk food stay in your stomach?

How long does it take to digest food — from the time you eat it to the time you excrete it? – Answer From Elizabeth Rajan, M.D. Digestion time varies among individuals and between men and women. After you eat, it takes about six to eight hours for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine.

Food then enters your large intestine (colon) for further digestion, absorption of water and, finally, elimination of undigested food. It takes about 36 hours for food to move through the entire colon. All in all, the whole process — from the time you swallow food to the time it leaves your body as feces — takes about two to five days, depending on the individual.

With Elizabeth Rajan, M.D.
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What happens if you eat junk food twice a week?

Long-term effects of eating junk food – Eating a poor quality diet high in junk food is linked to a higher risk of obesity, depression, digestive issues, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and early death. And as you might expect, frequency matters when it comes to the impact of junk food on your health.
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What happens if you don’t eat junk food for a week?

What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Junk Food – Elite Care Family Medicine “A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.” That old saying from Grandma isn’t totally unfound when it comes to junk food. Processed, sugary and over-caffeinated foods are the bee’s knees for junk food lovers but the truth is, they actually make our minds and bodies feel like, well, junk.

1. So what happens when we decide to give junk food the boot from our diets? The Initial Reaction If you’re prone to eating junk food, you’ve probably had a parent, friend or physician suggest cutting junk food out of your diet.
2. Quitting junk food cold turkey is tough and for good reason.
3. A 2018 study published in Appetite science journal suggests quitting junk food can cause withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced when quitting tobacco or addictive substances.

You may suffer increased irritability and fatigue, as well as headaches for those giving up sugar and/or caffeine. But these symptoms typically last only a few days to a week at best. Your Gut Reaction Your GI tract, better known as your gut, may appear a bit unhappy about the changes to your diet.

1. Don’t be fooled into thinking you need to return to pizza and ding dongs just because you experience bloating or a few loose stools.
2. These symptoms are temporary and soon your gut will be thanking you for your healthier food choices.
3. Your Taste Buds Taste buds can take up to fifteen days to regenerate and adjust to your new food options.

During this time, your body will develop a “taste” for the healthier food choices you’ve been making and soon you may find that your former favorite foods are too salty or sweet. Your Waistline and Muscles Perhaps the most popular appeal of cutting out junk food is what it does for your waistline and muscle tone.

Most people experience weight loss when they cut out unnecessary sugar and fats from their diet. Eating healthier, nutrient-filled foods also improves muscle tone. Who doesn’t want that? Your Mental and Physical Health Cutting out junk food is not the cure-all for every mental illness or physical ailment, but eating a healthy diet can improve your mood, focus, and cholesterol levels in a significant way.

It can also lower your risk of developing serious conditions like heart disease or type 2 diabetes. You’ll also feel more energetic, which will likely encourage you to be more physically active which is as vital to your health as what you eat. The hardest part of quitting junk food cold turkey is the first week.

But be encouraged! It’s only a week. Don’t think you could survive a week of feeling blah? A week or so from now, you’ll remember reading this article and you’ll also remember that if you had started your new healthier eating journey back then, you’d be past the hardest phase by now and on to a better lifestyle.

Now, get offline and start tossing all those sugary, salty foods in the trash. You’ll thank us in a week. : What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Junk Food – Elite Care Family Medicine
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Can I eat pizza while pregnant?

Pizzas are safe to eat in pregnancy, as long they are cooked thoroughly and are piping hot. Mozzarella is perfectly safe but be cautious about pizzas topped with soft, mould-ripened cheeses such as brie and camembert, and soft blue-veined cheeses, such as Danish blue.

These cheeses contain more listeria bacteria than other cheeses. If you become infected with listeria, you may get listeriosis, This is a rare illness that causes flu-like symptoms, often several weeks after you’ve been exposed to the bacteria. Though listeriosis is a fairly mild illness for you, it can cause serious health problems for your baby.

However, if you’re craving a pizza that’s topped with these cheeses, you can make it safe to eat by thoroughly cooking it at a high temperature, until it’s piping hot. This should kill the bacteria. Once it has cooled down, bacteria can start to grow again, so you shouldn’t eat it cold.

1. Five tips for a healthy pregnancy Discover five great tips you may not know on how to stay healthy during pregnancy More pregnancy videos Similarly, if you have a shellfish topping, such as prawns, mussels or scallops, make sure that the pizza is cooked right through.
2. This will kill any harmful bacteria and viruses and make it safe to eat.

The NHS says that it’s safe to eat cold cured meats, such as pepperoni, Parma ham and salami, in pregnancy, as long as the pack says they are ready to eat. This is because the risk of listeria bacteria is low. However, it’s still possible to get listeriosis or toxoplasmosis from eating cold cured meats.

Watch our video on what supplements to take in pregnancy,Try our pregnancy meal planners,Find out if you can eat ready meals in pregnancy,

Lorna Marsh is senior editor at BabyCentre. She has more than 20 years’ journalism and editing experience, including working for the NHS.
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Can I eat french fries during pregnancy?

FRENCH FRIES – French fries feed a pregnant woman’s craving for salt and potassium. The problem is, they’re high in calories and fat, and are a starchy, blood-sugar-boosting carbohydrate. To get your fix a healthier way, go for sweet potato fries. Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes, so they may make you feel fuller longer.

1. If you’re whipping them up at home, toss the sweet potatoes with a little olive oil and salt and bake them.
2. You’ll get the same great taste without the fat and calories added by a turn in the deep fryer.
3. Or have a baked potato (don’t skip the nutrient-rich skin) and top it with veggies like broccoli, cauliflower or onion.

Eating a whole spud will satisfy your potato craving while keeping you from overindulging. After all, it’s easy to stop at just one potato; it’s tough to know when to stop with fries. 7
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Can I eat a burger while pregnant?

A classic American staple, burgers are featured everywhere from trendy restaurants to tailgating and a backyard summer cookout. But during pregnancy, the safety of meats- especially ground meat- gets dicey. Pregnant women can safely eat burgers, so long as food safety and cooking temperatures are kept in mind.
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Can I eat at Subway while pregnant?

Pregnancy Options on the Subway Menu – If you’re pushed for time and just want to know which sandwiches you can eat at Subway, I’ve put together this guide to the Subway menu and the best options for pregnant women. It’s based on the USA menu and may differ depending on your country and region. Tips that apply to ALL Subway sandwiches:

Almost all the salad fillings are safe as they’re prepped on-site, but as the lettuce is shredded and bagged commercially off-site, if you want to have lettuce, ask for it to be microwaved for a couple of minutes or skip it. Hot lettuce isn’t that pleasant, anyway!

All the spicy or marinated items (onions, jalepenos, pickles, olives, banana peppers etc) are fine in pregnancy. As mentioned above, the mayo and dressings are all safe for pregnant women to eat, and so are all the cheeses. Healthier options are the wraps, salads or smaller subs or sliders, without cheese and heavy dressings. Subway now publish calorie and nutritional information if you want to see what’s in your chosen sandwich combo.

Sandwiches that are safe IF you have the meat heated:

Black Forest Ham Chicken and Bacon Ranch Italian BMT Cold Cuts (any combination) Spicy ItalianRoast Beef Club Sandwich Turkey Breast

Sandwiches that are safe in pregnancy ‘as they come’, without lettuce:

Classic Tuna (can be eaten as it is, cold)Oven-roasted, Teriyaki or Rotisserie Chicken Meatball Marinara Steak & CheeseVeggie Delite (can be eaten as it is, cold)

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Can pregnant lady eat mayonnaise?

– If you love mayo, you’re in luck. You don’t have to give it up during pregnancy. There are many safe, pasteurized varieties on the shelves at your local grocery store. You may even find a few egg-free types to try or get crafty with avocado as a substitute.
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Can I eat pizza while pregnant?

Pizzas are safe to eat in pregnancy, as long they are cooked thoroughly and are piping hot. Mozzarella is perfectly safe but be cautious about pizzas topped with soft, mould-ripened cheeses such as brie and camembert, and soft blue-veined cheeses, such as Danish blue.

These cheeses contain more listeria bacteria than other cheeses. If you become infected with listeria, you may get listeriosis, This is a rare illness that causes flu-like symptoms, often several weeks after you’ve been exposed to the bacteria. Though listeriosis is a fairly mild illness for you, it can cause serious health problems for your baby.

However, if you’re craving a pizza that’s topped with these cheeses, you can make it safe to eat by thoroughly cooking it at a high temperature, until it’s piping hot. This should kill the bacteria. Once it has cooled down, bacteria can start to grow again, so you shouldn’t eat it cold.

1. Five tips for a healthy pregnancy Discover five great tips you may not know on how to stay healthy during pregnancy More pregnancy videos Similarly, if you have a shellfish topping, such as prawns, mussels or scallops, make sure that the pizza is cooked right through.
2. This will kill any harmful bacteria and viruses and make it safe to eat.

The NHS says that it’s safe to eat cold cured meats, such as pepperoni, Parma ham and salami, in pregnancy, as long as the pack says they are ready to eat. This is because the risk of listeria bacteria is low. However, it’s still possible to get listeriosis or toxoplasmosis from eating cold cured meats.

Watch our video on what supplements to take in pregnancy,Try our pregnancy meal planners,Find out if you can eat ready meals in pregnancy,

Lorna Marsh is senior editor at BabyCentre. She has more than 20 years’ journalism and editing experience, including working for the NHS.
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What junk food should be avoided during pregnancy?

What to Snack on When You’re Pregnant – Besides the negative effects on baby, too much junk food can also make pregnancy tougher than it has to be. “It can increase your risk of several pregnancy-related symptoms, such as fatigue, heartburn, stretch marks, gestational diabetes and more,” Mendes says.

Ideally, pregnant women would reduce their intake of all highly processed foods with white flour, sugar and artificial additives. Trans fats, such as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, are particularly detrimental during pregnancy.” The good news? The flip side is also true: Nutritious snacking can make pregnancy easier and give baby a head start on good health, from bolstering tissue and brain development to building bone and the immune system.

But if the taste of fat, sweet or salt consumes you, then don’t fight it—just find the right snacks to satisfy your craving. “Only focusing on what you should avoid can quickly lead to feelings of deprivation,” Mendes says. “I always work with my clients to find healthy swaps for their favorite treats.” Here, some smart switches to feed your cravings: If you crave: potato chips, nachos, Cheetos Reach for: kale chips (“an amazing source of folate,” Mendes says), beet chips or dried seaweed If you crave: candy, cakes Reach for: bananas, apples or any other fruit (make them a little more enticing by pairing with almond butter or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate); consider making Mendes’s DIY healthy chocolate cupcakes If you crave: ice cream Reach for: fruity yogurt; you can also try Mendes’s DIY mango ginger creamsicles (which—bonus!—can help relieve morning sickness) or ice cream made with bananas Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such.
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Can I eat chips while pregnant?

Over-consumption of potato chips and vegetable oil can promote inflammation and may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease. (Source: File Photo) Pregnant women should avoid eating too much vegetable oil and potato chips during pregnancy, says a new study.

It indicates that such a diet may result in an increased risk of pregnancy complications and poor development of the foetus. Notably, foods such as potato chips and vegetable oil contain omega 6 fats, particularly linoleic acid, and the research suggests that over-consumption can promote inflammation and may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

Pregnant women are always advised about their eating habits because it has direct impact on the unborn child’s internal and external development. “It is important for pregnant women to consider their diet, and our research is yet another example that potentially consuming too much of a certain type of nutrient can have a negative impact on the growing baby,” says study’s lead author Deanne Skelly, professor at Australia’s Griffith University.

• Also Read: Binge eating may increase risks of various health conditions In fact, hedonic hyperphagia is a scientific term for eating in excess for pleasure, rather than hunger, as per the American Chemical Society.
• It is connected to overeating that happens with everyone at some point of life and is considered as a key factor that leads to weight gain and obesity.

Published in The Journal of Physiology, the findings found that eating a diet with three times the recommended daily intake of linoleic acid might be harmful in pregnancy. During the study, the research team fed rats for 10 weeks on a diet with high linoleic acid, mated them and then investigated the effects of the diet on their pregnancy and developing babies.

• They found three changes in rat mothers who ate a high linoleic acid diet.
• While the liver had altered concentrations of inflammatory proteins in one stage; their circulating concentrations of a protein that can cause contraction of the uterus during pregnancy were increased in the second stage, and a hormone that can regulate growth and development was reduced in another.

The study observed that if the effects of high linoleic acid are the same in rats and humans, it would suggest that women of child-bearing age should consider reducing the amount of linoleic acid in their diet. Rats typically give birth to multiple babies in each pregnancy. Pregnant women are always advised about their eating habits because it has direct impact on the unborn child’s internal and external development. (Source: Getty Images) Interestingly, according to a study conducted in 2013, people get attracted to chips and similar foods even when they are full because of the high ratio of fats and carbohydrates.

1. These contents send a pleasing message to the brain or hedonic hyperphagia happens which further activates the senses and makes one feel tempted to eat more.
2. As part of an ingenious study to understand the logic of temptation for chips, a team at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, in Erlangen, Germany, tested a group of laboratory rats who were served potato chips, while the other group of rats were served bland old rat chow.

Later, high-tech magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices were used to record the differences between the two groups. The research findings suggested that the brain recorded almost all activities. But the food intake, sleep, and motion were calculated differently in those who ate potato chips and it further stimulated the hunger level even in case of being full.
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