6. Canned Foods

It’s better to skip the canned food aisle when you’re pregnant, and we’re not just talking about sugary sodas. Even fruits and vegetables that are tinned come in cans that are lined with Bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic substance linked to several fertility issues, cancer, liver disease, and heart disease in pregnant women. It could also affect the fetal endocrine activity, hindering baby’s development. Even canned baby food might contain BPA from the lining of its tins!

Canned foods also have long shelf lives, which gives them ample time to harbor harmful bacteria. Furthermore, canned foods containing tuna are high in mercury, which is best avoided during pregnancy as it could harm the fetus.

The best solution would be to always pick fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat as seasonal produce is the freshest and contains the highest nutrition. In case you have to use canned foods, make sure the tins are BPA-free and make sure to wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption.