Myths and misconceptions abound. Right now you are getting so much advice in regards to your pregnancy that you can’t possibly fact-check it all. One things that you will hear a lot is that cinnamon can be harmful to you and your baby (and maybe even cause a miscarriage!). Is this true? Can cinnamon cause a miscarriage? In this article we are going to discuss the truth about cinnamon and advise a little on foods and beverages which are off-limits based on actual studies. Are you ready? Let’s discuss!
Cinnamon and pregnancy
So, is eating cinnamon truly a recipe for miscarriage? Can pregnant women eat cinnamon? While some resources advise that women should not eat cinnamon while breastfeeding there is a lot of conflicting information out there. First we should not that there are 2 types of cinnamon most widely ingested, those being Ceylon and Cassia. If you have read about the health benefits of cinnamon then you may have heard of a compound called ‘coumarin’, which is the active ingredient in cinnamon when it comes to its benefits. Too much of this, however, is bad for you and has been linked to liver problems as well as breathing problems in more extreme cases. Of the two primary types of cinnamon, Cassia is the one with the most concentration of coumarin and the recommended intake of this for persons who are not pregnant is 1-4 grams per day, so eating too much cinnamon while pregnant is certainly not recommended (but you can likely still enjoy cinnamon toast with no worries.).
I’ve read about people taking cinnamon
to induce miscarriage. Is this true?
There are stories about using cinnamon to terminate a pregnancy but there is no evidence to support this. Likely the amount of cinnamon that you would have to take to do this would induce a possibly fatal respiratory distress or destroy your liver but without study data to confirm or deny the effects of cinnamon you should probably stay on the safe side by keeping your intake minimal. A very small amount of cinnamon such as in cinnamon toast or in pastries should be perfectly fine.
Are there some foods that are confirmed to be unsafe?
Oh yes, there are some foods that have definitely been confirmed as unsafe which your doctor will confirm. We’ve compiled a list of some along with the reasons why they are unsafe for you while you are pregnant. Some foods that you should avoid are as follows
- :Raw Eggs – Raw eggs are a definite no-no, as they can be hosts to salmonella. Typically salmonella infections will include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps but for pregnant women (while it is rare) it could produce severe cramps in the uterus, inducing a premature birth or even stillbirth. While this is rare, be on your guard for raw eggs and foods that typically contain them. Examples include hollandaise sauce, poached eggs, homemade ice cream, some cake icings, and some salad dressings.
- Coffee – We know that you don’t want to hear this, but too much caffeine is bad for you during your pregnancy. Two or three cups in the morning should be fine (your recommended intake is less than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day). That goes for sodas too!.
” These can also be contaminated with salmonella.”
- Raw radishes or sprouts – These can also be contaminated with salmonella, typically in the seed portions of the plants. The way to eat them safely is to make sure that they are thoroughly cooked.
- Unpasteurized dairy products – Always make sure that your dairy products are pasteurized. Unpasteurized milk or cheese can be a host to a number of bacterium, such as salmonella, listeria, campylobacter, and E. Coli. Incidentally, this also goes for unpasteurized juice. Unpasteurized juice can host the many of the same bacterium as unpasteurized milk or cheese, so always make sure that you are only consuming pasteurized juices or dairy products.
- Unwashed veggies – You will want to be sure to thoroughly rinse, peel, and/or cook those veggies. Unwashed veggies can host Listeria, Toxoplasma, or E. Coli. Toxoplasma is the sneakiest of the bunch, as many who are infected with it will show only flu-like symptoms or even no symptoms at all until later when the infection may result in brain damage or blindness. This can also cause brain or eye damage in an unborn child in a small number of cases, so be sure to always thoroughly clean those veggies.
- Undercooked meat – Several parasites and bacterium may be hosted in raw meat. Toxoplasma, E. Coli, Listeria (in processed meats), and more. Be sure that meat is cooked all the way through and when storing raw meat in the refrigerator make sure that it is not near your vegetables or other items that can become contaminated.
- Fish in general – Many local fish are going to have various amounts of mercury present in their bodies based on where they were fished from. For instance, a pregnant woman may eat 6 ounces of lobster once a week but no more, due to the mercury content. If you are a seafood lover and wish to get a detailed list then go to Google and type ‘mercury levels fish pregnant’ and you will find many resources with lists of fish and the amounts which are considered safe to eat when you are pregnant.
Some final words
So, we’ve discussed the truths behinds cinnamon and whether or not it is safe to eat as well as reviewed some items that you will definitely want to avoid or handle with care when it comes to mealtime. There are many changes that you have to make during pregnancy and diet is certainly an important one. The good news is that many of these foods are still fine as long as they are prepared properly or consumed in moderation, so you have to give up all of your favorite foods. Just hang in there and eat responsibly, after all, you are eating for two now!
