What food to avoid during pregnancy?
You probably already know there are lots of things to avoid during pregnancy – don’t take hot baths, don’t participate in strenuous activities, etc. Following are some foods that pregnant women should either avoid or alter for the health and safety of their baby.
Unpasteurized dairy Pasteurization kills any bacteria that could be present in dairy foods, and unpasteurized foods can cause harm to the baby. Avoid any and all soft cheeses, raw milk and other unpasteurized dairy products.
Raw eggs Raw eggs can be dangerous due to the potential exposure to salmonella. Avoid raw eggs or products containing raw eggs, such as Caesar dressings, homemade ice cream or custards, and Hollandaise sauces.
Alcohol No amount is safe during pregnancy. And either during breast feeding.
Caffeine The American Pregnancy Association recommends that pregnant women limit their caffeine consumption to fewer than 300 mg per day. Large amounts of caffeine has also been linked to miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and withdrawal symptoms in infants. Pregnant women should make sure to drink plenty of water, juice and milk, rather than caffeinated beverages.
Fish with mercury such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, should be avoided. Canned chunk light tuna generally has a lower level of mercury than other varieties of tuna, but should still only be consumed in moderation.
Deli meats such as salami and bologna can be contaminated with listeria that can cross the placenta and infect the baby, leading to infection or blood poisoning and a possible life-threatening situation.
Raw meat and Raw shellfish should be avoided during pregnancy too.