Some women ask – “I ate canned food while pregnant – should I be concerned?”
During pregnancy, women go through so many things: stress, food craving, and so on.
This is why it is very important that during this stage of life, they should maintain a healthy diet.
Otherwise, they put themselves, as well as their unborn child at great risk. Healthy food choices are essential more than ever when you are pregnant. After all, what you eat will directly impact your baby.
But what is the case with canned food? Is it a bad thing to eat? Or not as bad as you think?
Let us discuss more what you get from eating canned food and how it can impact your pregnancy and overall health.
Canned Food and What It Contains
When you are pregnant, you want things to be a bit easier.
After all, who would want the added stress when you are already going through some tough times, right?
This included food preparation and meal planning.
If you are also the designated cook in the house, you want to keep things simple during mealtimes. And yes, nobody can dispute the fact that canned food is quick, easy, and downright simple.
But is it healthy?
It is important to note that canned food contains BPA. This is a toxic material found in food packaging. Whether we are talking about canned vegetables, soda, fruits – as long as it is in a can, there is a strong likelihood that there is BPA.
Health experts state that BPA contributes to a number of health issues including cancer, heart diseases, liver problems, and fertility issues.
This is why we do not recommend eating canned food on a regular basis. Considering the components found in canned food, the last thing you want is to pass on health issues to your child.
And most importantly, you need to think about your health, too. With so many health risks linked with canned food, what is good about eating it?
High Mercury and Food Poisoning Linked with Canned Food
It is not just the packaging that is bad about canned food.
There is also the issue with mercury levels and food poisoning you need to think about.
For instance, canned tuna, sardines, and mackerel contain a high level of mercury. This is why it can be poisonous and hazardous to one’s health. When you continue eating food with a massive amount of mercury, this poses health issues.
Your nervous system is at great risk with mercury. And of course, when your body is impacted, your unborn child’s health is dragged along with it.
In fact, too much mercury running through your bloodstream negatively impacts your baby’s nervous system. As a result, the FDA does not recommend that pregnant women consume over 170 grams of food in cans per week.
This is why you should opt more for fresh, whole food. We are talking about fresh produce, eggs, whole grains, and anything that is not packaged in cans.
Insufficient Nutritional Content
Aside from mercury levels, canned food is notorious for having fewer nutrients.
Sure, you can find a good amount of protein in canned chickpeas, canned black beans, and similar items.
But if you compare these with their non-canned or fresh counterparts, the nutritional level is also much higher.
They may be convenient to use because all you need to do is to crack a can open. However, if you read the labels, you will realize that the convenience is not quite worth it in the long run.
The vitamins and minerals in these canned food items are slashed significantly. It is the way these products are prepared, produced, and stored that reduce their nutrient level.
Health Issues with BPA from Canned Food
As we have mentioned earlier, BPA in canned food is never a good thing.
This material disrupts the normal processes of your body such as your hormones and brain. It has been attributed to obesity and insulin resistance in a number of women.
When it comes to pregnant women, exposure to BPA can lead to a poor signal in the brain and a failure to recognize satiety and hunger. This is why expecting mothers end up not being able to curb their cravings because their brain is not realizing when it is time to stop eating. Their ability to understand satiety is all messed up.
Additionally, there are also studies that show how BPA exposure causes disorders in one’s metabolic function. Breast cancers and PCOS are also some of the issues linked with high BPA content in the body.
But most importantly, the greater risk is BPA during pregnancy.
For instance, your unborn child can end up going through behavioral issues due to exposure to BPA. The fetus becomes more at risk of aggression and hyperactivity. They may also develop certain health concerns when they grow up such as heart disease, liver ailments, obesity, and diabetes, to name a few.
Read More: Can Pregnant Women Eat Hotdogs? Worry No More, Here Is The Answer!
What You Can Do To Counter These Health Problems with Canned Food?
The answer to this question is simple – make better food choices.
Everything you eat directly impacts your body and overall health.
This is why it is very important that you apply careful and strategic planning when it comes to preparing your food each day.
You need to realize that you are not only eating food for yourself. You are also consuming food items for your child’s growth and development.
Thus, you should pay close attention to what you eat and steer clear from products that will not benefit your baby and yourself. Opt for fresh produce, whole foods, and nutritious food products.
Canned food may be convenient and easy but if you value health, your decision should be geared more towards it. This is how you can safeguard your health and show how much you love that beautiful child in your tummy.
