Expectant mothers need a healthy diet for a healthy pregnancy. Nutritionist Nguyen Thi Quynh from Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi highlights several foods pregnant women should avoid or limit during Tet.

Banh chung

Banh chung, made from glutinous rice, mung beans, and fatty pork, is high in nutrients. Therefore, expectant mothers should consume only 1/8 of a banh chung per meal, avoiding other starch sources like rice or bread. Those with obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes should severely limit their intake. It is advisable to eat banh chung cooked no more than three days ago and pair it with plenty of vegetables for added fiber.

Expectant mothers should limit banh chung to avoid indigestion and bloating. *Illustration: Xuan Xuan*

Coffee and tea

Coffee and tea contain caffeine, which stimulates the nervous system, causing rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Pregnant women are more sensitive to caffeine's effects and should limit these beverages.

Pickled shallots and small leeks

Pickled shallots (dua hanh) and small leeks (cu kieu) stimulate digestion, helping to reduce the richness felt when consuming high-protein, high-fat dishes. However, expectant mothers are more sensitive than others, so pickled foods can overstimulate stomach acid secretion, leading to stomach pain and acid reflux. Pickled shallots, small leeks, and pickled foods in general contain high salt levels, which can cause high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, and premature birth. Therefore, pregnant women should limit this dish, eating one to two pieces per meal, one to two times a week.

Jams and candies

Tet jams and candies contain a significant amount of sugar. Excessive consumption of sweets reduces the absorption of other nutritious foods and increases the risk of overweight, blood sugar disorders, pre-eclampsia, and premature birth.

Smoked, grilled foods, and goi

Smoked or grilled foods may not be thoroughly cooked, potentially containing harmful bacteria and parasites that affect the digestive system. Goi dishes can transmit parasitic diseases. Pregnant women should limit these foods during Tet. Instead, they should opt for thoroughly cooked dishes prepared by boiling, steaming, or stir-frying, rather than ready-to-eat, grilled, or raw/undercooked options.

Carbonated drinks

Carbonated soft drinks contain ingredients like CO2-saturated water, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and flavorings. They also contain a large amount of caffeine. Consuming carbonated drinks can overstimulate a pregnant woman's nervous system, leading to increased breathing, accelerated heart rate, insomnia, dizziness, and tinnitus. This condition affects the expectant mother's health, causing anxiety and fatigue, and negatively impacting fetal development.

Pregnant women should prepare food at home or bring it when traveling, limiting refined grains and starches. Expectant mothers should drink 8 glasses of water daily, supplemented with fruit juice or milk.

Thanh Ba