Pregnancy is a rollercoaster journey. From morning sickness to swollen feet, these beautiful moments are priceless when you deliver your baby. 

However, attaining optimum health through diet is essential, especially in your first trimester. As a new mom, you may be confused about what to eat and avoid during pregnancy. This is also a period where everyone wants to share their “two cents” on how to nurture your pregnancy.

We’ve curated a short list of popular Nigerian foods you should avoid in your first trimester. They include:

• Zobo
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This exotic homemade drink may seem harmless, but in pregnancy, it has a lot of controversy. Some pregnant women reportedly experience cramps, and their babies have low birth weight during delivery. Babies with low birth weight are less than 5 pounds.

You may consume zobo during a later stage of pregnancy. Because it has a lot of controversies, it is best to avoid it during your first trimester. If this is your first pregnancy after a miscarriage, stay clear of it for preventive reasons.

• Palm wine 
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Palm wine is a sweet indigenous drink common in local festivals and ceremonies. It's an alcoholic drink that has gone through fermentation. Even a little consumption of palm wine during pregnancy is dangerous to your baby’s brain development. 

• Unripe pawpaw
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Pawpaw is a controversial fruit known to trigger labour and uterine contractions. Unripe (green) pawpaw contains a latex (rubbery) substance that may trigger these contractions.

The latex mimics the hormones oxytocin and prostaglandin, which help to induce labour. Pawpaw also contains a substance known as papain, which weakens the membrane protecting your baby. Thus making the environment uncomfortable for your baby. And this may lead to a miscarriage. 

Some women have reportedly experienced cramps and uterine contractions after eating unripe pawpaw. It is best to avoid this in your first trimester.

• Stout 
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Beer, popularly known as “small stout,” is dangerous during all phases of pregnancy. Alcohol gets into your bloodstream and passes to your baby through the umbilical cord. Drinking alcohol can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth and congenital anomalies. These are known as foetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

 Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can also cause foetal alcohol syndrome, which presents as facial deformities, heart defects, and intellectual disability. Avoid alcohol such as small stout, herbal concoctions, and fermented drinks.

• Unhygienic fura da nono
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Dairy products are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Buying fura da nono from unhygienic sources may contain harmful bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, etc. These bacteria may cause potential harm to you and your baby. Purchase your fura da no-no from trusted and clean vendors.

The first trimester of pregnancy is the most delicate stage, as your immune system can easily get compromised. A healthy diet during your first trimester will ensure you carry your pregnancy to full term. Consult your doctor for guidance on any dietary changes during pregnancy. 

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