Many
women have
questions
about the
types of food
that are safe
to eat during
pregnancy.
It is actually
easier to
discuss the
types of foods
you should
avoid during
pregnancy
than it is
do discuss
the foods
that are safe
to eat.
There's a
lot of food
to avoid during
pregnancy
because they
may be harmful
to you or
your developing
baby.
Food
To Avoid During
Pregnancy
Deli
and Processed
Sandwich Meats
– these meats
might be contaminated
with Listeria,
a potentially
deadly bacteria
that can result
in miscarriage
or even a
stillbirth.
While listeria
is relatively
harmless to
most ordinary
people, it
can be life
threatening
for your unborn
baby. Pregnant
women are
more susceptible
to listeria
because of
their lowered
immune system.
If you want
to eat deli
meats, be
sure that
you cook them
until they
are steaming
hot, which
will help
kill any bacteria
that might
be present.
Raw
meats
Much
lie deli meats,
raw meats
should be
avoided because
they can carry
bacteria that
are harmful
for both mother
and baby.
Certain
types of fish
While
most fish
is healthy,
there are
certain kinds
of fish that
contain high
levels of
mercury, which
is harmful
for your unborn
baby’s brain.
Consuming
too much mercury
during pregnancy
can result
in developmental
problems and
even brain
damage. The
types of fish
that contain
the highest
levels of
mercury include:
swordfish,
shark, king
mackerel,
tuna, sea
bass and tilefish.
Raw eggs
Like
raw meat,
raw eggs have
the potential
to carry bacteria,
particularly
salmonella.
Believe it
or not raw
eggs are in
a number of
various products
including
some forms
of Caesar
dressing,
mayonnaise
and even ice
cream. If
you are uncertain
about whether
or not something
you are eating
contains raw
eggs, avoid
it unless
you can find
out for certain
whether or
not it is
harmful.
Unpasteurized
soft cheeses
Some
chesses that
are imported
also have
the potential
to carry life
threatening
Listeria if
they are not
pasteurized.
The most common
types of cheese
that carry
this risk
include certain
forms of Brie,
Camembert,
feta, Gorgonzola
and Mexican
cheeses like
queso. If
these cheeses
are pasteurized
however they
should be
safe to consume.
Unpasteurized
milk or juices
Remember
that any type
of milk product
or juice that
has not been
pasteurized
has the potential
to carry Listeria
and other
bacteria that
may be harmful
for you and
your baby
during pregnancy.
You should
also avoid
alcohol during
your pregnancy.
There is no
known safe
amount of
alcohol that
can be recommended
during pregnancy.
There are
numerous fetal
abnormalities
and birth
defects as
well as developmental
problems that
have been
associated
with alcohol
use during
pregnancy.
Alcohol should
also be minimized
or avoided
during breastfeeding,
because it
can pass through
the breast
milk.