What Not To Eat During Pregnancy

Lots of women suffer from food cravings during pregnancy. The good news is that you can satisfy your cravings and still be healthy and get what you need for your baby by eating a balanced diet. As you may have heard before, there are some foods you should avoid while pregnant because of their potential to harm you or your baby. We know it can be difficult to remember every single things, so we've created a guide for you on what to not eat while your pregnant.

Cheese, well some types

The main thing you should avoid is soft cheese which can harbor bacteria. There are a few different types of soft cheese to watch out for. You want to avoid soft blue-veined cheeses such as gorgonzola or Danish blue, these cheeses are made with unpasteurized milk. These cheeses contain listeria, a type of bacteria that can harm your unborn baby, and result in miscarriage or stillbirth.

Liver

Liver is a member of the nightshade family, which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplants. Foods in this group contain chemicals that may cause birth defects.

Some types of fish

Some fish is recommended in pregnancy, that is because fish contains proteins and essential omega-3 fatty acids. On the other hand, the following types of fish contain high levels of mercury and should be avoided or eaten only in moderation during pregnancy: * Shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish (also called golden bass or golden snapper) * Higher levels of mercury can affect your baby's developing nervous system.

Pâté

What it is: Pâté is a mixture of meat, typically liver or chicken, and fat, typically butter. The meat is cooked with seasonings and flavorings such as herbs, garlic and onion. They all contain listeria and should be avoided.

Raw or undercooked meat

Raw or undercooked meat is not to be served to pregnant women. You must make sure that any meat or fish served is well cooked before it is eaten. All meat and poultry throughout your pregnancy should be cooked to the point where it is steaming hot and there is no trace of pink or blood. Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite can be found in meat, especially rare meat.

When preparing raw meat, wash all surfaces and utensils throughly. Also, remember to wash and dry your hands after handling raw meat. Doing so helps to avoid the spread of salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter.

Unpasteurized milk

Unpasteurized milk is not advised during pregnancy. It is thought that raw milk may contain the organisms that cause the illness listeriosis. If you do consume unpasteurized milk you should check with your doctor to see if you need an antibiotic to protect yourself against this illness.

Pre-packaged salads

Because the lettuce is typically grown in fertilizers, it may contain traces of lead, mercury, arsenic and other contaminants. Pre-packaged salads are often treated with chemicals that are harmful to pregnant women. Always check the label before you buy any salad.

Sushi

If you are not sure if your fish is fresh, do not eat it. Sushi is made with uncooked fish and when eaten, can cause parasites to enter the body. Do not eat chilled seafood such as sashimi, raw oysters, and cooked ready-to-eat prawns either, as they have a risk of listeria contamination.

Peanuts

Peanuts are not very good for the mother during pregnancy because they might cause the uterus to contract, which could induce labor early. Peanut allergies can also be caused in unborn babies when mothers have an allergy to peanuts during pregnancy.

Certain fruits and vegetables

During your pregnancy you should avoid eating rockmelon due to risk of listeria. Raw sprouts including bean sprouts, clovers, radish, clovers and alfalfa run the risk of salmonella contamination. These sprouts though, are safe when fully cooked.

This guide is not a complete list of what foods you should avoid while pregnant. If you have any questions or concerns about any food in particular it is important that you reach out to your provider. In the time you spend pregnant is it important to take care of all your needs, physical, emotional, and nutritional. You will be providing your baby with all of their nutrients so it is vital you know what to and not to eat. Eating a balanced meal encourages a health pregnancy.