When you’re pregnant, it’s always important to eat healthy,
but it’s even more vital than usual when it comes to avoiding certain foods
that may pose a health risk to your growing baby. While eating the occasional
piece of cake or slice of pizza isn’t going to do any harm, some foods can
carry a higher risk than others and should be avoided altogether. Before
reaching for the next slice of salami or bowl of broccoli, take a look at this
list of 9 foods to avoid during pregnancy.
1) Mercury in fish
Mercury is a toxin that should be avoided in large
quantities. The general rule of thumb is that seafood with high levels of
mercury should be avoided during pregnancy. Seafood such as tuna, shark, and
swordfish are high on the list of mercury-rich foods to avoid while pregnant.
These fish can contain mercury levels at up to five times the safety limit set
by the EPA. Other types of seafood that should be avoided during pregnancy
include king mackerel, marlin, grouper, sea bass and tilefish.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also advises
against eating raw shellfish during pregnancy because they may contain bacteria
that can cause serious infections in pregnant women and their unborn children.
2) Unpasteurized cheese
Unpasteurized cheese is a food you should never eat while
pregnant. The reason is because unpasteurized cheese can contain listeria,
which can cause miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. It's also
important to avoid unpasteurized milk, which may contain harmful bacteria that
could harm your unborn baby.
3) Alcohol
One of the most critical food groups to avoid while pregnant
is alcohol. Alcohol can be dangerous to both mom and baby, causing a range of
complications during pregnancy, as well as physical and behavioral issues in a
child after it has been born. Alcohol can cause birth defects such as Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD. Here's the scoop on some different types of
alcohol and the risk each pose to mom and baby:
*Beer: One 12 ounce bottle might have up to 10% alcohol
content.
4) Undercooked or raw meat
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it's not without its
risks. If you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant, make sure you know what
foods to avoid and why.
Pregnant women should avoid undercooked or raw meat because
of the risk of toxoplasmosis. This illness can cause birth defects and other
health problems for both the mother and baby if contracted during pregnancy.
Pregnant women should also avoid wild game meat due to the possibility that it
could be infected with parasites like toxoplasmosis, salmonella, or E coli.
5) Raw eggs
It is recommended that pregnant women avoid raw eggs, which
may contain harmful bacteria. However, pasteurized eggs are safe to eat and are
often used in eggnog. Some people say that eating fried eggs is also
acceptable. Others point out that it's not really necessary to avoid certain
foods when you're pregnant. The common belief is that it's important for
pregnant woman to avoid certain foods like raw eggs because they might contain
harmful bacteria, but some people say there's no need to worry about the
content of food in the diet of a pregnant woman because any damage done by
these foods will be repaired by nutrients from other sources during pregnancy.
6) Unwashed produce
We usually wash our produce, but we need to be sure to avoid
unwashed produce during pregnancy. Unwashed produce is risky because it can
have high levels of bacteria and viruses that can make us or the baby sick.
These bacteria are found in the soil or on a plant's leaves and stems, so even
if you wash off some dirt after purchase, some of this residue might remain on
the vegetable. All raw fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed before
eating to make sure they are safe for both you and your unborn baby.
An example of an unwashed food that has caused illness in
pregnant women is spinach.
7) Caffeine
1) Avoid beverages and foods that contain caffeine, such as
coffee, tea and chocolate. Caffeine can stimulate your body to work against the
pregnancy by speeding your heart rate and decreasing blood flow.
2) Stay away from processed meats which contain nitrates,
nitrites and other preservatives like deli meat, hot dogs, bacon and lunch
meat. Nitrates in processed meat are linked to neural tube defects in babies
born.
3) Avoid unpasteurized milk products such as cheese or raw
milk which can harbor bacteria known to cause illnesses such as Listeria or E.
coli infections which may lead to miscarriage or stillbirths in pregnant women.
8) Processed meats
Avoid processed meats, like hot dogs and bologna, which
often have nitrates in them. Nitrates can cause serious health issues for your
unborn baby. Processed meats are also high in sodium, and too much sodium can
increase the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Since processed foods are generally higher in fat and
calories than fresh or minimally processed foods, it's important to keep a
close eye on what you're eating when you're pregnant.
It's best to avoid shellfish during pregnancy because of the
high levels of mercury present in these products. Mercury exposure has been
linked to lower IQ scores and cognitive performance in children later on down
the road.
9) Artificial sweeteners
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six
artificial sweeteners for use in food production. If you are pregnant or
breastfeeding, you should avoid consuming these artificial sweeteners:
Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucralose, Acesulfame potassium (Ace K), Neotame and
Advantame. The FDA does not advise pregnant women to consume them because of
the lack of research on their potential effects on pregnancy outcomes. Studies
have shown that some of these substances may interfere with the body's absorption
of folate from foods. Folate deficiency can lead to birth defects and other
problems for unborn babies. Artificial sweeteners also may cause side effects
including headaches, depression and changes in sleep patterns.
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