What Happens if You Eat Canned Food While Pregnant?

Eating canned food while pregnant can have both positive and negative effects. For many women, the convenience of canned foods can be a great way to meet their increased nutritional needs during pregnancy, but there are also some potential risks with eating canned foods.

Benefits of Eating Canned Food While Pregnant
Canned foods can be a great source of nutrition for pregnant women. Many canned fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals that are essential for fetal development and maternal health.

Canned fish, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel, are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which are important for healthy brain development in the fetus. Canned beans are a good source of plant-based protein and iron while also being low in fat. In addition to providing important nutrients, canned foods are convenient to prepare and store making them ideal for busy women who may not have time to cook fresh meals every day.

Risks of Eating Canned Food While Pregnant
Even though there are many benefits to eating canned food while pregnant, there are also some potential risks associated with them. The main concern is the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in some cans.

BPA is a chemical used in the production of plastic products and can liners for cans that may leach into the food inside the cans over time. Studies have shown that exposure to BPA during pregnancy has been linked to premature birth, low birth weight babies, as well as behavioral problems later on in life.

How To Minimize Risk When Eating Canned Foods During Pregnancy
The best way to minimize exposure to BPA when eating canned foods while pregnant is to choose those labeled as “BPA-free” or “no added BPA” on the label. Also look for those labeled “USDA organic” or “certified organic” which means they do not contain any artificial preservatives or additives including BPA liners or other chemicals linked to adverse health effects. Additionally, it is best to avoid heating up canned foods in their original packaging as this can increase exposure levels even further.

In conclusion, eating canned food during pregnancy can be an easy way to get important nutrients needed for healthy fetal development. While there may be some risk associated with exposure to BPA in cans with plastic liners, these risks can be minimized by selecting BPA-free varieties and avoiding heating up food in its original packaging when possible.

Conclusion: Overall, eating canned food during pregnancy is generally considered safe if you take steps to minimize your exposure levels by choosing BPA-free varieties and avoiding heating up food in its original packaging whenever possible.