Five food myths related to pregnancy

What are the myths related to food consumption during pregnancy?

Certain foods cause miscarriage

Myth: There are myths that eating pineapple, mangoes, and papayas can cause miscarriages.

Fact:

• Miscarriages usually happen due to infection, and no evidence suggests eating certain foods can cause miscarriages.

• Eating ripe papaya doesn’t pose any threat of miscarriage, but raw papaya might be unsafe.

Light food gives the baby fairer skin

Myth: Common belief among Indians is that saffron has the same effects, but it is not true.

Fact:

• Although certain foods can provide better skin and a healthy glow, there is no evidence that diet can change the baby’s skin color.

• Skin color is a result of genetics, natural selection, and evolution.

Being pregnant means consuming for two

Myth: It is a myth, and excess eating will make it even more difficult for the mother to shed the weight post-pregnancy.

Fact: The calorie intake is increased slightly up to 350 kcal per day, and healthy food should be consumed to satisfy the increased need.

Full-Fat milk is better

It is a myth, and both low fat and high-fat milk are equally beneficial.

Fact: Both full fat and low-fat milk have the same nutrients, and low-fat milk is a good choice without the excess fat.

Herbs make the baby intelligent

Myth: There are products in the market that suggest improved intelligence, but it is a myth.

Fact:

• There is no evidence that consuming herbs, tonics, and tea affect the baby’s cognitive abilities.

• Consuming a healthy diet with adequate doses of micronutrients is vital for the proper development of cognitive abilities.

With so many things that can affect foetal growth, it is important to know what is healthy and what is not. Bursting the myth bubble regarding nutrition is also important and wrong information passed on to future generations will only cause inconvenience.