Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Now that you are eating for two (or more), it is more important than ever to pay attention to what goes into your body. You may find yourself craving strange combinations of foods or foods that you didn’t even care for before you were pregnant. Though most foods are safe to eat, there are some foods that should be avoided during pregnancy and the list of foods that are off-limits may be surprising.
Many of these foods are foods that you may have eaten regularly pre-pregnancy with no problem. During pregnancy however, the bacteria or parasites that can be found in these foods can be extremely dangerous to your baby. Below you will find a description of three common food-borne bacteria and parasites.
Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria is type of bacteria that can cause complications during pregnancy. It is found in contaminated water and soil and can survive on unwashed vegetables. Animals can also be carriers of this bacterium. Avoid any uncooked/undercooked (less than 160 degrees Farenheit) meat and be sure to wash all vegetables thoroughly.
Taxoplasmosis gondii
Taxoplasmosis is a single-celled parasite that can be extremely harmful to your baby. This parasite can be acquired by eating undercooked meat or by touching your hands to your mouth after contact with undercooked meat.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacterium carried by some animals and can be transmitted to humans through undercooked meat and raw eggs. Most salmonella bacteria found in animal products can be killed by thorough cooking. Poached eggs and eggs that are sunny side up may still carry bacteria and should not be consumed during pregnancy.
Foods to Avoid
Deli Meats
Cold cuts such as turkey or roast beef can be contaminated with the bacteria listeria. If you would like to eat deli meat, be sure to heat the meat thoroughly and look for steam as a clue that it is hot enough to kill the bacteria. Also, be sure to wash your hands after handling any uncooked deli meats.
Raw Meat
Sushi and steak tartar, even rare or undercooked beef or poultry can be contaminated with listeria, taxoplasmosis and samonella. Refrigerated pate can also contain listeria. Raw or undercooked shellfish such as muscles, clams and oysters should also be avoided.
Smoked Salmon
Smoked Salmon, aka lox, and any type of seafood jerky may be contaminated with listeria. Again, if you thoroughly cook these foods they will be safe to eat.
Soft Cheeses and Unpasteurized Milk
Soft cheeses, such as Brie, Roquefort, Feta, and Gorgonzola and the unpasteurized milk it is made from can contain the bacteria, listeria. If you come across a cheese you are not familiar with and are concerned that it may be unsafe, find out if is made from pasteurized milk. Pasteurization methods are standardized and regulated in the United States, so non-imported cheeses made with pasteurized milk are safe to eat.
Blue-Veined Cheeses
Blue-veined cheeses, like soft cheeses, are moister than hard cheeses and are an ideal environment for harmful bacteria to grow. In addition to soft cheeses, you should also avoid Stilton, Bleu cheese, Danish Blue, Roncal and Bergader.
Raw Eggs
Raw eggs can hide in foods like Caesar salads (the dressing), mayonnaise, and Eggs Florentine (the Hollandaise sauce). Raw eggs can contain salmonella and should be avoided.
Unwashed vegetables
Vegetables are a great source of nutrients for your baby but unwashed vegetables could carry the parasite taxoplasmosis. Be sure to wash all vegetables thoroughly before consumption.
Liver
Liver may be a good source of iron but it also contains high levels of vitamin A. Large amounts of vitamin A can be harmful to your baby.
Mercury
In addition to foods that may contain bacteria and parasites, you should also avoid foods high in mercury, as they have been associated with brain damage and developmental delays. Though fish contain high quality protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, certain types of fish are known to contain high levels of mercury.
The most recent guideline issued by the Food and Drug Administration recommend that pregnant women and nursing mothers eat no more than 6-12 ounces per week of canned “light” tuna and other cooked fish. For other safe fish, it is recommended to eat no more than 12 ounces per week. Also, store bought fish is safest. Below you will find an easy-to-read list of other fish that are safe to eat while pregnant:
- Safe
- Salmon in all forms, except from the Great Lakes
- Farmed trout
- Sardines
- Herrings
- Pilchards
- Flounder and sole
- Farmed catfish, stripped bass and tilapia
- Cod
- Haddock
- Mahi mahi
- Perch
- Crab, shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters, mussels, crayfish
Fish at the top of the food chain accumulate high levels of mercury in their body because their food source, other small fish, contain mercury. Avoid these fish all together during pregnancy.
- Avoid
- Shark
- Swordfish
- King mackerel
- Tilefish (golden or white snapper)
- Tuna steak (fresh or frozen)
- Spanish mackerel
- Marlin
- Grouper
- Large and small mouth Bass
- Walleye
- Blue fish
- Pickerel
- Northern Pike
- Lake Whitefish
- Salmon from the Great Lakes
- Bowfin
- Gar
- Toxic species such as Pufferfish (Fugu), Blowfish and Sea Squab
Caffeine
Kicking your three cup a day habit may be difficult at first, but keep in mind that some studies have shown that excessive caffeine intake may be associated with premature birth, low birth weight and even miscarriages. Caffeine should be avoided during the first trimester entirely. In the second and third trimester, most doctors agree that moderate caffeine intake is okay. It is safest to refrain from caffeine entirely, but if you do consume caffeine, limit your intake to fewer than 300 mg per day. And remember, caffeine isn’t only found in coffee, it can be hiding in your favorite tea, soda or chocolate bar.
Alcohol
Alcohol should be avoided not only during pregnancy but also while you are breastfeeding. While you are pregnant, alcohol can have a serious impact on your child’s development. There is no known “safe” amount of alcohol that you can drink while pregnant. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can lead to a range of disorders that are known by the letters FASDS, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. The most severe, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, is a permanent condition, characterized by abnormal facial features, growth deficiencies, social impairments and cognitive impairments, such as problems with learning and memory.