Question: Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid When I'm Pregnant?
I just found out I'm pregnant! I want my baby to be healthy so I need to know if there are any foods to avoid.
Alicia - About.com User
Answer: For the most part, you can continue to a normal diet throughout your pregnancy, and you'll need to eat a little more during the second and third trimesters because the developing baby requires extra nutrition. There are, however, a few foods you should avoid because they can cause illness in pregnant women or can harm the fetus. If you have any questions about your diet during your pregnancy, be sure to speak with your health care provider.
Unpasteurized Milk and Soft Cheese
Milk and cheese are excellent sources of calcium, which you and your baby need. However, raw milk and soft cheeses may harbor bacteria that can make you, and your baby, sick. Raw milk may contain Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, or Salmonella, which cause food poisoning. Since you're pregnant, you're more likely to get sick because pregnancy affects your immune system.Here's what to do:
- Drink pasteurized milk, or choose non-dairy forms of calcium.
- Avoid soft cheese like Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, queso blanco, queso fresco and feta.
- Choose cheese that's made from pasteurized milk (look on the label).
Undercooked Fish and Shellfish and Fish High In Mercury
Fish, especially oily ocean fish like salmon, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids your baby needs for normal development, especially during the third trimester. But you have to be careful with fish. Raw and undercooked fish and seafood (including sushi) may contain parasites as well as bacteria, so it's best to avoid them while you're pregnant. Some types of fish contain larger amounts of mercury, so you need to stay away from shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.- Eat up to 12 ounces cooked fish or shellfish each week (cook to 145 degrees F).
- Best choices are salmon, shrimp, pollock and catfish.
- You don't have to eliminate albacore tuna, but keep don't eat more than 6 ounces per week.
Raw Sprouts, Raw Eggs and Undercooked Meats
Raw foods can be contaminated with bacteria like E. coli or salmonella. Eggs and sprouts should be cooked thoroughly, and meats need to be cooked to a proper internal temperature. Stay away from the grocery store salad bar too - make your own salads at home.What you can do:
- Throughly wash produce and greens at home and follow good food safety practices.
- Cook beef, veal and lamb to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and pork and ground meats should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Poultry products should be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Don't eat anything made with raw eggs, unless the product has also been pasteurized.
- Deli meat, sausages and hot dogs should be heated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Alcohol
There really isn't a safe level of alcohol consumption so it's best to stay away from wine, beer and liquor during your pregnancy.Sources:
United States Department of Health and Human Services. "Checklist of Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy." Accessed February 6, 2013. http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/risk/pregnant/chklist_pregnancy.html.
United States Food and Drug Administration. "What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish." Accessed February 6, 2013. http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm110591.htm.
