Understanding What Fruits Not To Eat When Pregnant In The Second Trimester

October 8, 2025 •

5 min read

Medical authorities stress that careful food handling is essential during pregnancy to avoid foodborne illnesses. Knowing what fruits not to eat when pregnant in the second trimester is a key step, though the primary concerns often relate to improper food safety rather than outright avoiding certain fruit types.

Quick Summary

During the second trimester, attention to specific fruit safety measures is vital. This involves strictly avoiding unripe papaya and being cautious with high-sugar or unwashed produce to protect against risks like uterine contractions and foodborne pathogens.

Key Points

Strictly Avoid Unripe Papaya: Unripe, green papaya contains latex and papain, which can cause uterine contractions and should be avoided entirely.
Always Wash All Fruits: Unwashed fruits can carry harmful parasites like Toxoplasma and bacteria like Listeria, which pose serious risks to pregnancy.
Opt for Whole Melons: Avoid pre-cut melons sold in stores, as the cutting process can transfer bacteria like Listeria from the rind to the flesh.
Choose Pasteurized Juice Only: Stick to pasteurized fruit juices to avoid harmful bacteria that can be present in unpasteurized versions.
Practice Moderation with High-Sugar Fruits: Dried fruits and overly sugary fresh fruits can cause blood sugar spikes, especially for those with gestational diabetes, so portion control is important.
Pineapple Myths vs. Facts: The idea that pineapple causes miscarriage is a myth; the amount of bromelain is too low to cause contractions. Enjoy in moderation.
Grapes and Digestive Comfort: While nutritious, large quantities of grapes, particularly the skins of black grapes, can be difficult to digest for some pregnant women.

The General Rules of Fruit Consumption During Pregnancy

For a healthy pregnancy, especially during the crucial second trimester (weeks 13-26) when fetal growth accelerates, a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential. Fruits are a major part of this, providing vital nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, and folate. However, the main concerns are less about banning specific fruits and more about food preparation, ripeness, and moderation.

The Absolute Rules: Wash All Produce

One of the most significant risks from fruits during pregnancy comes from surface contamination. Raw and poorly washed fruits can carry harmful bacteria and parasites, with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii being a particular threat. This parasite can cause toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be very dangerous for an unborn baby. Soil on fresh produce is a common source of this and other pathogens like Listeria. Therefore, it is critical to properly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables before consumption. For firm produce like melons, this means scrubbing the surface under running water.

The Golden Rule: Moderation is Key

While fresh fruit is a healthy part of a pregnancy diet, some options should be limited. Dried fruits and fruit juices, for example, have a much higher concentration of sugar and calories than their fresh counterparts. This can be a concern for managing weight gain and is particularly important for those with gestational diabetes, which can develop during pregnancy. While dried fruits offer a concentrated dose of nutrients, they should not replace fresh fruit and should be consumed in moderation.

Specific Fruits That Demand Caution

Unripe Papaya: A Primary Concern

Among the few fruits that require strict avoidance, unripe papaya tops the list. Unlike ripe papaya, which is nutritious and safe, the green, unripe version contains high levels of latex and the enzyme papain. Latex and papain can cause powerful uterine contractions, potentially leading to miscarriage or premature labor. As the second trimester is a period of rapid development, avoiding unripe papaya is a crucial safety measure. Always ensure any papaya you consume is fully ripe and has yellow or orange skin.

Pineapple: Moderation Over Myth

Another fruit often cited for caution is pineapple. The concern stems from the enzyme bromelain, believed to soften the cervix and induce contractions. However, this is largely a myth. The amount of bromelain in the flesh of a pineapple is far too low to have any significant effect on the uterus. Nonetheless, excessive consumption can cause digestive discomfort or heartburn due to its acidity. A moderate portion of fresh or canned pineapple is perfectly safe to enjoy during the second trimester.

Grapes and Resveratrol: A Quantity Question

Grapes, particularly black grapes, contain a compound called resveratrol in their skin, which is an antioxidant. While beneficial in normal circumstances, some concerns exist about consuming very large amounts of resveratrol during pregnancy, although scientific evidence on the effects is limited. More practically, the skins of black grapes can be hard to digest for a weakened pregnancy digestive system and may cause discomfort. As with many fruits, moderation is key.

Dried and Sugary Fruits

For pregnant individuals at risk of or diagnosed with gestational diabetes, managing sugar intake is paramount. Fruits are healthy sources of natural sugars, but concentrated forms like dried fruits should be limited. Dates, for example, are a popular snack but contain a high amount of natural sugar and calories. While beneficial in moderation, overconsumption can spike blood sugar levels.

Foodborne Illnesses: Beyond Just the Fruit Itself

Pre-cut Melons

Listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate foods and is especially dangerous during pregnancy. Pre-cut melons from salad bars or grocery stores carry a higher risk of listeria contamination, as the bacteria can spread from the rind to the flesh during cutting. To minimize this risk, buy whole melons, wash them thoroughly, and cut them at home.

Unpasteurized Juices

Always check labels to ensure fruit juice is pasteurized. Unpasteurized or untreated juices can contain harmful bacteria like E. coli. While most juices sold in stores are pasteurized, fresh-squeezed juice from farmers' markets or certain shops may not be. The safest option is to stick to pasteurized products.

Fruit Safety and Considerations for the Second Trimester


Fruit Type	Key Concern	Why?	Best Practice During Pregnancy
Unripe Papaya	High latex and papain content	Can cause uterine contractions and harm fetal membranes.	Strictly avoid. Eat only fully ripe, yellow-skinned papaya.
Dried Fruits	High sugar and calorie density	Concentrates sugars, risking blood sugar spikes and excessive weight gain.	Consume in moderation. Prefer whole, fresh fruits.
Unwashed Fruits	Parasites and bacteria (Toxoplasma, Listeria)	Can lead to foodborne illnesses harmful to the baby.	Wash thoroughly under running water. Scrub firm produce.
Pre-cut Melons	Listeria contamination risk	Bacteria from the rind can transfer to the edible flesh during cutting.	Buy whole melons, wash the rind thoroughly, and cut at home.
Unpasteurized Juice	Harmful bacteria (E. coli)	Can contain bacteria not killed by pasteurization.	Only drink pasteurized or boiled juice.
Excessive Grapes	Resveratrol (large quantities) and digestive issues	High amounts of resveratrol are unstudied in pregnancy; skins can cause digestive discomfort.	Enjoy in moderation; wash thoroughly.
Pineapple (excessive)	Acidity and potential heartburn	While the miscarriage risk is a myth, its acidity can cause heartburn in some.	Consume in moderate portions. Listen to your body for discomfort.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Diet with Confidence

There is no single fruit to universally avoid during pregnancy's second trimester, with unripe papaya being the main exception. The most critical takeaway is the importance of food safety. Always wash your produce, and opt for whole fruits over pre-cut or unpasteurized juices to minimize bacterial risks. While fruits high in sugar, such as dried varieties, should be consumed in moderation, a variety of properly prepared fresh fruits provides essential nutrients for both you and your baby during this key developmental stage. The best approach is to follow safe food handling practices, listen to your body, and consult your healthcare provider with any specific concerns about your diet.

For more information on food safety during pregnancy, consult reputable sources like the FDA's guide on fruits, veggies and juices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, ripe papaya is generally safe for pregnant women. Unlike its unripe counterpart, ripe papaya (with deep yellow or orange skin) contains beneficial nutrients and lacks the high levels of latex and papain that can cause uterine contractions.

Yes, canned fruit is generally safe, but you should choose options packed in water or natural juice rather than heavy syrup to avoid excess sugar. Canned fruit does not offer the same fiber benefits as fresh fruit.

Thoroughly rinse all raw produce under running water. For firm fruits like melons, scrub the surface with a small vegetable brush. Do not use soap or detergents.

No, this is a common myth. The amount of the enzyme bromelain in pineapple flesh is too insignificant to induce labor or cause contractions.

Pre-cut melons pose a higher risk of listeria contamination. The rind can harbor bacteria, which can then be transferred to the edible flesh during the cutting process.

According to nutrition guidelines, a pregnant woman should aim for 2-4 servings of fruit per day as part of a balanced diet.

Unpasteurized juices are not treated to kill harmful bacteria like E. coli and Listeria. These can cause foodborne illnesses that are particularly dangerous during pregnancy.