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8th Month Pregnancy Diet – Which Foods To Eat And Avoid?
#Diet and Nutrition#Pregnancy

So you have now reached the 8th month of pregnancy and it’s almost time! As you get ready to prepare for the birth, there are some important changes that your body will be going through. While you reach closer to the big day, your body may start showing signs of tiredness and easy fatigue. As your body grows, it may be difficult for you to move around much, and things you were able to do till now may seem tiring and stressful.

Changes In The 8th Month:
As you enter the 8th month of your pregnancy, your uterus gets enlarged and creates a lot of pressure on your stomach. Indigestion and heartburn are also common discomforts that you will go through at this stage. Eating small meals throughout the day, eating without rushing and not gaining too much weight can help in decreasing these symptoms. A healthy diet and lifestyle is important during this stage to prevent body aches and pains as well as fatigue. It will also help you immensely in giving birth to a strong and healthy baby.

What Foods Should You Include In Your 8 Month Pregnancy Diet?
During the third trimester of your pregnancy, you gain the maximum amount of weight and your body gets heavier. This is exactly why you should eat a healthy diet and combine it with a light exercise, such as walking. Here are some foods that you can include in your 8th month of pregnancy diet.

1. Foods Rich In Vitamins And Minerals:
During the last months of your pregnancy, it is important for you to eat foods that are rich in iron and calcium. Blood loss is a part of delivery and you need to make sure that you include enough iron in your diet. Calcium will keep your and baby’s bones strong so include that too.You should have:

Green leafy vegetables
Nuts
Apricots
Dried fruit
Egg yolk
Lean meat
Fish
Dairy products
Bananas

2. Foods Rich In Carbohydrates, Proteins And Fats:
Put a chart of “Do not eat” on your fridge. That way it will be easier for your to know what you require to eat at which time of the day.

For Protein:
Beans
Lean meat
Egg whites
Tofu
Fish
Chicken breast
Milk
Yoghurt
Soy milk

For Carbohydrates:
Potatoes
Whole grains
Cereals
Sweet potatoes
Legumes
Nuts
Berries
Watermelons

For Fats:
Eggs
Nuts
Fish
Peanut butter

3. Foods Rich In Fiber:

High-fiber foods are important during this stage of your pregnancy. These foods have a high nutritive value. They also contain the right amount of fibre that you need in the last months of your pregnancy. You should have:

Corn
White beans
Black beans
Avocados
Whole wheat pastas
Brown rice
Whole wheat breads
Cauliflowers
Broccoli
Leafy green vegetables
Celery

What Foods To Avoid During The 8th Month Of Your Pregnancy?
During this stage of your pregnancy, there are certain foods that you should avoid to prevent excess weight gain and the discomfort of some of the symptoms that you go through. Eating nutritious foods is always important throughout your pregnancy to benefit you and your child. Here are some of the foods that you should omit from your daily diet during 8th month of pregnancy:

1. Coffee:
As your due date approaches, you will find yourself constipated which can be really uncomfortable. One way to reduce this symptom is to significantly lower your daily intake of this beverage. You should also lower you intake of caffeinated beverages such as aerated soft drinks, etc.

2. Unpasteurized Milk:
You should avoid unpasteurized goat, cow and sheep milk. Goat’s milk is very risky during pregnancy as it comes with a high risk of toxoplasmosis.

3. Shark, Marlin And Swordfish:
These types of fish have high levels of methylmercury which can be detrimental to your unborn baby’s nervous system. If you are going to eat fish, pick the ones that are not too fatty and provide you and your baby the required nutrition.

4. Soft Cheese:
Cheese that have been ripened with mould such as Brie, as well as cheese that has blue veins such as Danish Blue can often contain listeria which is why they should be avoided during pregnancy. If you have a craving for cheese, opt for hard ones like cheddar.

5. Pate:
It is best to avoid pates of all types. They could contain listeria which causes listeriosis. Although listeriosis causes symptoms that are flu-like in mothers, they can be fatal for unborn babies. It can cause still-birth, miscarriage and serious illnesses when a baby is born.

6. Raw Or Undercooked Eggs:
Eggs that have been lightly cooked or raw should be avoided during pregnancy. There is a high risk of them containing salmonella bacteria which is known to cause food poisoning.

7. Raw Shell Fish:
You should avoid raw shell fish as well as raw fish dishes such as sushi during pregnancy. This is due to the high risk of food poisoning that these foods can cause.

8. Liver And Cured Meats:
It is best to avoid liver during this stage of your pregnancy. In fact, experts say that you should avoid liver throughout your pregnancy. Cured meats like salami and ham should also be avoided as they increase the risk of toxoplasmosis and listeriosis.

9. Alcohol And Tobacco:
These should be avoided for reasons well-known to us all. They can cause a lot of damage to your baby and the baby could be born with health complications.

Take great care in what you take in as it will affect your unborn baby as well. Eating right and eating healthy is important during every stage of your pregnancy. You are eating for yourself and your baby’s well-being, so make sure you only eat the healthiest and most nutritious foods. This will help your baby develop and grow properly. Eating well will also ensure that you are strong when it is time for birth. Taking good care of yourself while you are pregnant is important, especially when you are close to the due date.

Dr. Sairandhri Shinde
Dr. Sairandhri Shinde
MBBS, Gynaecologist Infertility Specialist, 10 yrs, Pune
Dr. Khushbu Kolte
Dr. Khushbu Kolte
BDS, Dentist Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dentist, 8 yrs, Pune
Dr. Ramit Kamate
Dr. Ramit Kamate
MBBS, Infertility Specialist In Vitro Fertilization Specialist, 1 yrs, Pune
Dr. Ganesh  Jangam
Dr. Ganesh Jangam
BHMS, Homeopath Family Physician, 8 yrs, Pune
Dr. Lalita Gawali
Dr. Lalita Gawali
BAMS, Ayurveda Family Physician, 10 yrs, Pune