What Foods Are Not Safe During Pregnancy

What Not To Eat When Pregnant

The TLDR: Avoid raw foods, like fish, shellfish, meat and eggs. Stay away from fish high in mercury, such as tuna and shark. Dont eat unpasteurized cheeses, milk or juices, or cold deli meats or lox. Some caffeine is okay, but you should probably avoid drinking alcohol while pregnant.

Want more detail? Here you go:

Can I Eat Egg During Pregnancy

Eating eggs during pregnancy is a healthy choice. It can be a part of your daily meal. It is rich in vital nutrients including choline, which is good for babys brain development. But make sure the eggs that you eat white and yolks are perfectly cooked. Eating raw, undercooked or runny eggs is not safe to consume. You get food poisoning, which can sicken your baby and infect the amniotic fluid leading to pregnancy complications.

Can I Eat Nuts While Pregnant

Yes, you can eat nuts during pregnancy, they are rich in folic acid, fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 which helps in the neural development of the baby, eating nuts is a healthy choice Vitamin E present in nuts helps in reducing the risk of diseases such as hypertension diabetes and oxidative stress.

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Fruits To Avoid During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant you may feel like eating more, but you cannot eat everything. You must be aware of what not to eat when pregnant. There are several fruits that cannot be on your platter. They may not give any positive response to your body when you are pregnant, they may affect the health of the fetus developing in your womb eating such fruits may cause miscarriage also. Follow further to find fruits to avoid during pregnancy.

Foods To Avoid While Pregnant

Raw Meat: Uncooked seafood and rare or undercooked beef or poultry should be avoided during pregnancy because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella. At home, the temperature should reach at least 145 F for whole cuts, 160 F for ground meats like hamburger, and 165 F for chicken breasts.

Deli Meat: Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria, which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby, which could lead to infection or blood poisoning and may be life-threatening. If you are pregnant and you are considering eating deli meats, make certain that you reheat the meat until it is steaming.

Fish with Mercury: Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. A sample of these types of fish includes shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Canned, chunk light tuna generally has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but still should only be eaten in moderation. The American Pregnancy Association recommends Safe Catch Tuna because their testing technology ensures each can of tuna is as pure as wild salmon or wild sardines.

Certain types of fish used in sushi should also be avoided due to high levels of mercury. Please see Mercury in Fish for specific types of fish and further information on how to calculate mercury levels.

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Pregnancy Is The Most Unexceptional Moment In A Woman’s Life Her Diet Plays A Crucial Role For The Baby’s Well

• NDTV Food Desk

1. Fish and Seafood

Large fish contain high level of mercury which is harmful for infants or young children. It can cause damage to the brain and the nervous system. Pregnant women are strictly advised to avoid the intake of large fish like tuna, shark, swordfish, walleye, marlin and so forth. Canned tuna is said to contain low level of mercury as compared to the other tuna but can be consumed in limit.

Fish are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, if incase you cannot do without it, you can go for clean, fresh water ones which contain low amount of mercury like shrimp, salmon, tilapia, etc. However, under cooked food like sushi should be avoided.

2. Eggplant

Eggplant or brinjal is a common food eaten in almost all Indian households. It is considered to be fundamental in treating amenorrhoea and premenstrual disorder. Consequently, on this premise it is advisable not to consume brinjal amid pregnancy. However, having them in little amounts once in a while should not pose an issue.

3. Unpasteurized Milk and its Products

Milk should be slightly boiled before consuming as it kills germs and prevents disease causing microbes which can be harmful for the growth of the baby. Milk is definitely important but it should be pasteurised.

4. Sesame Seeds

5. Papaya

6. Ajinomoto

8. Fennel and Fenugreek Seeds

9. Refined Flour Products

10. Grapes

Raw Or Undercooked Eggs

While it may seem like commonsense to refrain from raw or runny eggs, you’ll find them in more places than the yummy bits of batter that stick to the spatula. So unless something’s been made with pasteurized eggs, avoid consuming foods where rawness runs rampant: soft scrambled eggs, homemade ice cream or mousse, raw batter or cookie dough, homemade mayonnaise, tiramisu and homemade eggnog.

Skip the Caesar dressings and hollandaise sauce , and make sure those breakfast omelets and scrambles are cooked through and through. As with raw meats and poultry, you don’t want to take the chance of being exposed to Salmonella.

To be absolutely safe, make sure the eggs you buy have been kept refrigerated and the sell-by date hasn’t expired.

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Environmental Exposures: Medium Risk

We all come into contact with environmental toxins every day, but you have to be extra careful during pregnancy. Its best to avoid unnecessary X-rays and exposure to lead, mercury, and pesticides, all of which may be associated with birth defects and miscarriage.

If you have an outdoor cat or do a lot of gardening, take proper precautions to avoid toxoplasmosis: wear gloves while changing your cats litter and gardening or be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after these activities.

Avoid Raw Milk Raw Milk Soft Cheeses And Other Raw Milk Products

Raw milk is milk from any animal that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Raw milk, also called unpasteurized milk, may contain bacteria such as Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella or the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. To avoid getting these foodborne illnesses, only consume pasteurized milk and milk products, including cheese.

Dont eat the soft cheeses listed below unless theyre made with pasteurized milk. Make sure the label says made with pasteurized milk.

• Brie
• Queso blanco
• Queso fresco

Cheese made with unpasteurized milk may contain E. coli or Listeria. Instead of eating soft cheese, eat hard cheese such as Cheddar or Swiss.

Pregnant woman should pay particular attention at farmers markets to make sure that fresh and soft cheeses are pasteurized.

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People At Risk: Pregnant Women

Immune system changes in pregnant women place the women themselves, their unborn children, and their newborns at increased risk of foodborne illness. These illnesses can be worse during pregnancy and may lead to miscarriage or premature delivery. Some foodborne illnesses, such asListeria and Toxoplasma gondii, can infect the fetus even if the mother does not feel sick. This is why doctors provide pregnant women with specific guidelines about foods that they should and should not eat.

Food Safety When Eating Out

Risks are harder to manage at buffets, smorgasbords, salad bars, or street vendors, where foods may have been sitting uncovered, allowed to cool, or contaminated by other people, so avoid eating food from these places.

When you eat out or buy takeaways, avoid the same high-risk foods you would avoid at home. Don’t eat:

• unpasteurised milk and dairy products
• raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs
• unwashed fruits and vegetables or raw herbs
• raw seed sprouts
• pre-prepared cold foods such as salads, unrefrigerated sandwiches, or sushi
• undercooked or raw meat, poultry, or seafood
• cold meats, pâté, or cold, smoked fish
• soft and semi-soft cheeses unless cooked
• soft-serve ice cream.

To minimise risk during pregnancy, choose restaurant and takeaway food that is:

• well cooked
• prepared just before it’s served to you
• served piping hot .

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Foods & Drinks To Avoid When Pregnant

What you eat during pregnancy can impact your developing baby. Its important to be aware of foods to avoid which can make you and your baby unwell. Read our list.

Eating well during pregnancy can be hard, between balancing morning sickness and cravings, whilst trying to nourish a little growing human inside you. But knowing what foods to avoid during pregnancy, is almost as important as knowing what you should be eating more of. There are some foods which are not safe to eat during pregnancy, due to an increased risk of food poisoning. There are also safety limits on beverages.

Can Pregnant Women Have Seafood

Seafood is a good choice for pregnant women, but it is important to be careful with the type of fish you eat and where itâs sourced from. Seafood thatâs high in mercury poses a risk to your babyâs developing nervous system, which is why itâs important to avoid older, larger fish that could contain higher quantities of mercury.

To be safe, itâs best to avoid

• shark

• tile fish

• raw shellfish like oysters and clams.

For the latest information on fish caught in local waters, check with your state health department or with the US Environmental Protection Agency.

When preparing fish and shellfish, itâs also important that you cook

• fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, until the flakes are opaque

• shrimp, lobster, and scallops until they turn milky white in color

• clams, mussels, and oysters until the shells open. Throw away those shells that remain closed.

You may also be wondering whether pregnant women can eat sushi. Uncooked fish and shellfish come with an increased risk of harmful bacteria, so avoid sushi made with uncooked fish or shellfish, as well as refrigerated smoked fish, like salmon. The good news? There are plenty of sushi alternatives you can eat while pregnant, like vegetarian sushi or sushi rolls made with cooked fish or seafood, like shrimp tempura.

If you do want to consume sprouts, make sure you cook them thoroughly.

For a handy checklist of foods and drinks not to eat during pregnancy, check out the below:

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Extra Vitamins And Minerals

Worried youre still not eating enough of the good stuff? Hedge your bets by adding a prenatal vitamin to your daily diet.

There are a few extra vitamins and mineral requirements during pregnancy that prenatal vitamins can provide, says Dr. Watson-Locklear. The big one is iron, necessary to produce the extra red blood cells for your babys growth. Almost 20 percent of women are anemic by the time they give birth.

Calcium also is important for babys skeletal development. If you are not getting enough calcium in your food, it will be pulled from your body for the baby, says Dr. Watson-Locklear.

Folate protects against neural tube defects in the growing baby prior to and during pregnancy. If you plan on becoming pregnant, increase your folic acid intake at least three months prior to conceiving, says Dr. Watson-Locklear. Elevated folate also helps decrease nausea in the first trimester of pregnancy as well.

However, do not overindulge. Too much calcium can constipate Mom. Too much vitamin A can cause birth defects. Too much iodine during pregnancy can affect fetal thyroid goiter.

There is a reason vitamin bottles have a recommended dosage on them, says Dr. Watson-Locklear. If you have a question, ask your doctor.

If you have questions about your pregnancy diet or pregnancy in general, talk to your OBGYN. Dont have one? Browse our physicians near you.

Nutrition For Expectant Moms

A healthy diet includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and plenty of water. The U.S. government publishes dietary guidelines that can help you determine how many servings of each kind of food to eat every day. Eating a variety of foods in the proportions indicated is a good step toward staying healthy.

Food labels can tell you what kinds of nutrients are in the foods you eat. The letters RDA, which you find on food labeling, stand for recommended daily allowance, or the amount of a nutrient recommended for your daily diet. When you’re pregnant, the RDAs for most nutrients are higher.

Here are some of the most common nutrients you need and the foods that contain them:

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Can I Eat Butter During Pregnancy

Eating butter in the right amount is fine during pregnancy. Anyone would crave for this delicious fat, consuming butter during pregnancy refreshes your skin and makes it glow. Butter provides energy that lowers the impact of hormonal issues, helps in regulating cholesterol levels in the body, but one must be careful while consuming butter during pregnancy. If a woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes or has a history of heart related problems or a woman is obese and overweight and at a risk of containing more weight due to over consumption of butter can lead to pregnancy complications in such cases it is better to avoid butter in your diet.

What Foods Are Completely Off Limits During Pregnancy

Dont eat these foods during pregnancy. They can be really harmful to you and your baby.

Certain meats and fish

• Raw or undercooked meat, including beef, poultry and pork. This includes hotdogs and deli meat . If you eat hotdogs or deli meat, cook them until they are steaming hot or just avoid completely.
• Raw fish, especially shellfish. Dont eat sushi unless the fish is cooked. Also avoid ceviche, sashimi, and raw oysters.
• Fish that can be high in mercury, like shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Always check with your local health department before you eat any fish you catch yourself.
• Refrigerated pates, meat spreads or smoked seafood. If it is cooked into a dish like casserole it is OK. Pates that are shelf-stable are also OK.

Certain dairy products

• Raw or lightly cooked eggs or foods made with them. This includes cake batter and raw cookie dough.
• Soft-scrambled eggs
• Products made with uncooked eggs like certain Caesar salad dressings, eggnog or certain sauces like hollandaise. Shelf-stable commercially made Caesar salad dressing is OK to eat because it doesnt contain uncooked eggs.
• Unpasteurized juice or milk or any foods made with them
• Unpasteurized soft cheeses, such as brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort, queso blanco, queso fresco and Panela

Other

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Can I Eat Lamb While Pregnant

Lamb is a great source of protein, zinc and iron it contains essential nutrients that every pregnant woman should get consuming lamb in an aggregate amount during pregnancy is safe, but you are an expecting mother and its your responsibility towards the fetus developing in your womb, you must make sure that it should not be raw or undercooked as it may pose a risk of toxoplasmosis which will lead to pregnancy complications

Can I Eat Fast Food While Pregnant

Craving for junk or fast food is natural in pregnancy, but going to be a mother soon you must know what food not to eat, fast food is prepared in too much oil and contains high amount of sodium which can spike your blood pressure levels fast food is generally prepared from refined flour, which is neither healthy for you nor the baby as it may increase the chance of gestational diabetes in pregnant women, avoiding fast food while pregnant is the best thing you do for your babys health.

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Raw Vegetables And Fruits:

For a pregnant woman vegetables and fruits are essential in the diet as they nourish the baby but before consuming they make sure that they are properly washed and peeled so that the germs which causes toxoplasmosis may not harm you and your baby, avoid having pre-packed salads, buffet-salad and the salads that are kept in open for a long time.

Can I Eat Shrimp While Pregnant

Including nutritious food to your plate is important for your babys growth and development, eating seafood must be your compulsory diet, but while being pregnant, its off the list you cannot eat it, but you can eat shrimp only if it is not your regular meal part, consume it in moderation that too twice a week. Seafood is highly contaminated with mercury thats why its not advisable for pregnant women. Shrimp is a healthy food and it is a rich source of various vitamins and minerals good for the baby and mother, it helps in the fetal growth due to the high levels of protein. it also helps in lowering the risk of anemia during pregnancy, it contains iron that reduces the risk of anemia and helps with the blood supply to the baby and prevent premature birth it also contributes to the development of the nervous system and a good source of calcium that fulfill all the requirements of calcium required for your babys bone and teeth development.Eating raw and uncooked shrimp is strictly not allowed as it may contain bacteria or viruses that may harm the health of the baby and the mother leading to miscarriage.

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What You Can Eat

• pasteurised or unpasteurised hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyere and parmesan
• pasteurised semi-hard cheeses, such as Edam and Stilton
• pasteurised soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, goats’ cheese without a white coating on the outside and processed cheese spreads
• soft or blue cheese that has been cooked until steaming hot
• pasteurised milk, yoghurt, cream and ice cream