Pineapple and Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, the nutritional content of your meals is crucial to your health as well as the development of your unborn child. One way to ensure that your diet is providing the best nutrition is by first avoiding highly processed foods. Additionally, raw meats and unpasteurized dairy products carry the risk of disease carrying microbes, which could have a negative impact.

Properly prepared vegetables and fruits provide a nutritional punch, packed with vitamins and minerals which are central to the physical and neurological development of your unborn child. In this article, we shall focus on the nutritional value of pineapple and highlight the benefits of eating pineapple while pregnant.

Health Benefits of Pineapple

Pineapple is both rich nutrients and low in calories, making it ideal as a snack or in combination with other foods. Pineapples contain vitamin C, thiamin, niacin, B6 and folate, manganese, copper, potassium and magnesium.  They also contain a unique group of enzymes called bromelain. Bromelain has been found to assist in the alleviation of symptoms in conditions such as edema, inflammation, and blood clots. 

Is Pineapple Safe During Pregnancy?

Of course pineapple is safe to consume during pregnancy. If you have not had any negative interactions with the fruit previously, you may eat it freely. 

There are many unscientific claims that revolve around pregnancy. Therefore it may not come as a surprise that some people claim that eating pineapple when pregnant could induce early labor. To test this theory, scientists conducted research on pregnant rats using pineapple juice. What they found is that it had no negative impact on the rats or their pregnancy. This demonstrates that pineapple is safe for both mother and child.

Is Pineapple Safe During IVF?

Yes, pineapple is safe during IVF. IVF is partly dependent on healthy eggs and a healthy womb, and a diet rich in nutrients, including those found in pineapple, has been linked to positive outcomes. 

However, it is important to highlight here that the claims that bromelain which is found in pineapples assists the embryo to implant, or that pineapples increase the chances of fertility treatment success, have no scientific backing. 

Eating pineapples is not the thing that will tip the scales favorably during fertility treatments. Therefore eat pineapple as freely as you would eat any other fruit.

Including Pineapple in Your Diet

Now that we know that pineapple is safe and nutritionally beneficial, let us look at how to include it in your diet. Begin by cleaning the pineapple well, and then peel it. It can be eaten as chunks, cubes, or slices. 

You can eat it with yogurt or cereal, or as a sweet addition to salsa. Pineapple can also be cooked on a grill or in an oven. It can be incorporated into a sauce or gravy. It also makes for a delicious jam or jelly. 

Additionally, you can check for unique recipes online. The internet has a plethora of recipes from all over the world that include pineapple, including recipes that are prepared for pregnant people.

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy and IVF

Since we are discussing nutritional needs while pregnant, let us touch briefly on foods to avoid, and the reasons why. 

Foods to Avoid While Pregnant

When you are pregnant is advisable to avoid the below foods as they can negatively affect both you and your unborn child.

Seafood that is high in mercury

When it comes to seafood, the larger and older fish have been found to have levels of mercury that would put your baby at risk. Regardless of size or age, avoid:

• Shark
• Tilefish
• Orange Roughy
• Bigeye tuna
• Marlin
• King mackerel
• Swordfish

Raw or Undercooked Seafood

Sushi, sashimi and uncooked seafood should be avoided in general. This is because when pregnant, one is at a higher risk of contracting foodborne illnesses. 

Undercooked Meat, Poultry, or Eggs

Just like raw or undercooked seafood  raw and undercooked meat, poultry or eggs, such as rare steaks and eggs cooked sunny side must be avoided. The risk of contracting bacterial infections or illnesses caused by foodborne pathogens is high, as well as the risk on the pregnancy. 

Unpasteurized Foods

Bacteria from raw milk, soft cheeses, unpasteurized juices and ciders, pose the risk of illness, which can have a negative impact on pregnancy. Therefore ensure that all your dairy and fermented foods are pasteurised before you consume them.

Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables

When it comes to vitamins and minerals, you will not find a better source than those found in raw fruits and vegetables. Bacteria on their surface however can make you ill. So make sure you thoroughly wash them before digging in. While alfalfa, clover and mung beans are very nutritious, cleaning them well can be a bit tricky, and illnesses can be passed along through the bacteria from the soil. While you are pregnant, perhaps it is best not to eat sprouts at all. 

Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco

When pregnant, it is well known that alcohol and tobacco are very harmful to your unborn child. They put the child at risk of birth defects and even death. In addition, the excessive consumption of caffeine can also have a negative impact. 

Caffeine is not recommended by professional healthcare providers when one is pregnant. It is best to avoid it, but if you must, it is suggested that you drink no more than 200mg per day. Consult with your doctor regarding a safe intake of caffeine.

Foods to Avoid During IVF

For IVF treatments, similar parameters apply if you want to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Alcohol and Tobacco 

Fertility treatments are very delicate and can be significantly impacted by what may seem like a minimal intake of alcohol or tobacco. As little as two drinks a day could result in a negative outcome on a fertility cycle. Tobacco and nicotine based products also have a similar negative impact. If you are facing challenges of quitting either drinking or smoking seek help from a professional medicare provider to come up with strategies to help you stop.

Food and Drinks That are High in Refined Sugar

Food and drink high in refined carbohydrates not only have a negative impact on fertility, they also have a negative impact on a person’s health even when they are not trying to become pregnant.

Unrefined carbohydrates and low sugar are two dietary recommendations for those undergoing fertility treatments. This is also recommended when one is trying to conceive naturally or is already pregnant. 

Foods High in Trans Fats and Highly Processed Foods

The fast food industry’s products are rich in excessive sugar and trans fats which are not ideal sources of nutrition. This is particularly impactful when it comes to the success of fertility treatments, as the excessive consumption of fast food can be detrimental. 

When to Consult a Doctor

You should see a doctor right away if you are having symptoms of a foodborne illness. If you have a disease or symptoms of a disease associated with alcohol or tobacco use see a doctor immediately. 

If you need assistance in making nutritional choices during fertility treatments or pregnancy, speak with a professional healthcare provider, and maintain a nutritionally rich diet before, during and after pregnancy. 

Contact Us

If you are not sure of where to begin your nutritional journey for conception or pregnancy, or if you have further queries or concerns regarding nutrition during fertility treatments or pregnancy, contact us at Ivy Fertility.