What Not to Eat During Pregnancy
Know which foods can harm your health and that of your baby.
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Part of being pregnant is nourishing your baby. But this should not be confused with eating for two or eating anything you want. During pregnancy, you should eat foods that are rich in nutrients while also avoiding other foods that may affect your and your baby’s health. Keep reading to learn which foods experts say you should avoid.
Oily Fish
Some fish accumulate mercury in amounts that are dangerous for pregnant women, says the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Mercury can affect the development of the fetus’ nervous system, so you should avoid eating high-mercury fish like swordfish, shark, mackerel, and white fish—and especially any raw fish.
Junk Food
This might seem obvious, since junk food is never something you should eat. But during pregnancy, you will notice the effects of junk food in the short term, as it will fill you up on calories that do not provide the nutrients your baby needs. The result? Your baby will take these vitamins and minerals from your body, which may cause you serious health problems.
Lunch Meat
Sausage, cold cuts, and other lunch meat are more likely to be contaminated by a bacterium called Listeria monocytogenes. Make sure to always cook lunch meat to a temperature above 73 °C or 163.4 °F.
Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
Bacteria, parasites, and pesticides are some of the enemies you may find on fruits and vegetables. Specialists say that the best way to avoid them is by washing your food well immediately before eating, regardless of whether it has an edible rind. But remember, only use tap water; do not use soap.
Unpasteurized Drinks
Al igual que sucede con los embutidos, la leche y jugos no pasteurizados, así como sus productos derivados, pueden estar contaminados con la bacteria L. monocytogenes. Por eso, los profesionales de salud son claros: siempre hay que consumir productos pasteurizados, o muy bien hervidos.
Sprouts
Soybean, alfalfa, and radish sprouts should not be eaten raw, as they may be contaminated by bacteria like Salmonella or Escherichia coli. Salmonella can increase the risk of miscarriage, fetal death, or labor complications, whereas E. coli can cause meningitis and septicemia in the baby. To avoid complications, cook sprouts to temperatures between 62 and 73 °C or 143.6 and 163.4 °F.
Liver
Liver is a food rich in vitamin A, and, although it may sound contradictory, you have to be careful when eating it. Why? If consumed in excess during pregnancy it can increase the embryo's risk of suffering from malformations.
Caffeine
Various studies have reported that consuming caffeine, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, is associated with delayed fetal growth and low birth weight. The maximum recommended amount is 200 mg each day (a 28 g cup of coffee has 95 mg of caffeine).
Cheese
Meat is often contaminated with bacteria. Raw meat can be a major source of Toxoplasma gondii, an organism that can transmit a disease called toxoplasmosis. The FSIS recommends always avoiding raw or undercooked meat.
Raw Meat
The bacterium L. monocytogenes may be present in soft cheeses, such as feta and camembert, and fresh cheeses, such as queso panela and queso blanco. That is why the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recommends choosing hard cheeses, such as cheddar and Swiss, that are made from pasteurized milk.
Other Precautions
Almost all women experience cravings during pregnancy, and some may have them for non-food substances, such as chalk, soap, toothpaste, ice, matches, dirt, or laundry starch. This eating disorder is known as "Pica", if you suspect you have it, talk to your doctor to prevent complications.
Sources
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), American Pregnancy Association, US National Library of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, College of Family Physicians of Canada, US Food Safety and Inspection Service.
