Food To Avoid During Pregnancy

Food To Avoid During Pregnancy

Certain Seafood And Fish
No, we are not asking you to give away all your fish cravings! Only some type of fishes should be avoided to stay away from any fetal damage possibilities and other complications.

Fish Containing Mercury
Mercury on consumption during pregnancy can lead to brain damage and developmental delays. Therefore, it is advisable not to take fish that contains high levels of mercury. These types of fish include king mackerel, swordfish, shark and tilefish. Fish like chunk light tuna contain low levels of mercury, and can be taken in moderate amounts.

Smoked Seafood
Refrigerated and smoked seafood with labels such as lox, jerky, novastyle or kippered should not be consumed as they will be contaminated with Listeria bacteria. You will get this fish in the deli section.

Fish Exposed to Pollutants
Avoid fish cultured in contaminated rivers and lakes that are highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. They usually include salmon, striped bass, bluefish, walleye and trout.

Raw Shellfish: Undercooked shellfish like oysters, mussels and clams can cause majority of sea borne illnesses. Cooking them can prevent some of the infections, but not algae related infections. Therefore, it is good to avoid any kind of shellfish during pregnancy.

To have a healthy pregnancy these are certain taste sacrifices a mother should go through!!

Solution: Fishes are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids,if you cannot do without fish, you can go for fresh water ones.You can easily enjoy up to 12 ounces, that is two servings a week of very low-mercury freshly cooked fish, such as salmon, shrimp, etc.

 Raw Or Undercooked Eggs
Mmmm…yummy cooked eggs are so delectable isn’t it? Yes it is, but as our article illustrates, there are certain ways of having your perfect egg during pregnancy. Raw eggs, runny eggs and undercooked eggs are a big no-no. Homemade desserts and sauces such as chocolate mousse, cakes, mayonnaise, etc., containing raw eggs must be avoided as they may be tainted with salmonella bacteria causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Solution: The one and only way of having safe eggs is that – Eggs should be cooked until the yolks are firm. Go for a well done omelet. Buy salad dressings that are either egg-less or use pasteurized eggs. These kill the risk and you can enjoy a happy egg-tarian meal!

Luncheon meats, deli meats and hot dogs
According to the CDC, pregnant women are 20 times more likely of getting listeriosis, a food-borne illness. Because this bacteria is transferred to the fetus through the placenta, problems such as still birth, premature delivery or miscarriage can occur. Other foods that shouldn’t be eaten due to listeriosis are listed in 4, 5 and 6.

Soft cheeses 
Soft cheeses such as Brie, feta, camembert, Mexican style cheeses (queso blanco fresco) and blue-veined cheeses.

Unpasteurized dairy products such as milk and cheese. Remember to include items made with unpasteurized dairy as foods to avoid during pregnancy.

Coffee and Tea
Foods containing caffeine should not be taken or restricted to 200 mg/ml a day which is equivalent to 2 cups of instant coffee.

Pregnant women who consume more than 2 cups of coffee or any other caffeine product are found to deliver low weight babies / suffer miscarriage. So its better to be safe than sorry.

Maida
Personally I dislike maida. The non fibrous by-product of wheat affects the proper functioning of intestines.

Pregnant women should limit the intake of maida based products like bakery items , cakes , puffs, Malabar porotta etc.