Foods To Avoid When Pregnant
Eating well balanced meals is important at all times, but it is even more essential when you are pregnant. During pregnancy you need to make sure that your diet is providing you with enough energy and nutrients for the baby to grow and develop, and for your body to deal with the changes taking place. While expectant mothers are encouraged to eat more wholegrains, legumes, fruits, vegetables and lean meat, they should also stay away from certain foods that may be harmful to both mother and baby.
Most foods are safe; however, there are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy.
Raw Eggs
Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella. Only eat eggs cooked enough for both the white and yolk to be solid. Some homemade Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards, and Hollandaise sauces may be made with raw eggs.
Raw or undercooked meat
Uncooked seafood and rare or undercooked beef or poultry should be avoided because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella. Make sure these are cooked until they are steaming hot all the way through and no pink meat is left.
Deli Meat
Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria. If you are pregnant and you are considering eating deli meats, make certain that you reheat the meat until it is steaming. It is best to avoid meat at social events, especially if you are unsure how long it's been out and how it was cooked.
Fish
Eating fish is good for your health and the development of your baby. You just need to avoid some types of fish and limit the amount you eat of some others.
Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. A sample of these types of fish include: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, bluefish stripped bass, salmon, pike trout, walleye, and tilefish.
Canned, chunk light tuna generally has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but still should only be eaten in moderation. Limit the amount of tuna you eat to no more than two tuna steaks a week (weighing about 140g cooked or 170g raw) OR no more than four medium-size cans of tuna a week (with a drained weight of about 140g per can)
You may be craving sushi, but the risk of exposing your baby on board to food poisoning-causing bacteria is too high.
Stay away from raw seafood and raw shell fish (oysters, clams, mussels), because they produce an infection caused by algae. You should also avoid smoked seafood, unless it's an ingredient in a well cooked dish.
Soft Cheeses
Imported soft cheeses may contain bacteria called Listeria. Cheeses that fall into this category include bleu cheese, camembert, feta, brie, and Mexican-style cheese like the three quesos (blanco, fresco, and decrema). Pregnant women should avoid blue veined cheese. You can safely eat soft and hard cheeses made from pasteurized milk.
Pate
Refrigerated pate or meat spreads should be avoided because they may contain the bacteria listeria. Canned pate, or shelf-safe meat spreads can be eaten.
Alcohol and caffeine
When you’re pregnant, it’s best to stop drinking alcohol altogether. Exposure of alcohol to an infant poses harmful risks, and alcohol does reach the baby during breastfeeding. Avoid caffeine during the first trimester and then you should limit the amount of caffeine you have each day after that, or if possible cut it out completely.
Herbal teas
the effects of herbal teas on the baby in your growing belly have not been confirmed. If you cannot give up this beverage, drinking decaffeinated is probably best, in both the hot and cold versions.
Honey
Its fine for pregnant women but honey isn't suitable for babies under a year old
Peanuts
It isn’t clear from the latest science if eating peanuts (or not eating them) when you’re pregnant affects the chances of your baby developing a peanut allergy. If you are unsure what to do, it is advised that you consult your health care practitioner for his expert advice.
Gardening and changing cat litter
Always wear gloves when you're gardening or changing cat litter, and wash your hands afterwards. This is to avoid toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite found in meat, cat faeces and soil.
Most foods are safe; however, there are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy.
Raw Eggs
Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella. Only eat eggs cooked enough for both the white and yolk to be solid. Some homemade Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards, and Hollandaise sauces may be made with raw eggs.
Raw or undercooked meat
Uncooked seafood and rare or undercooked beef or poultry should be avoided because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella. Make sure these are cooked until they are steaming hot all the way through and no pink meat is left.
Deli Meat
Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria. If you are pregnant and you are considering eating deli meats, make certain that you reheat the meat until it is steaming. It is best to avoid meat at social events, especially if you are unsure how long it's been out and how it was cooked.
Fish
Eating fish is good for your health and the development of your baby. You just need to avoid some types of fish and limit the amount you eat of some others.
Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. A sample of these types of fish include: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, bluefish stripped bass, salmon, pike trout, walleye, and tilefish.
Canned, chunk light tuna generally has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but still should only be eaten in moderation. Limit the amount of tuna you eat to no more than two tuna steaks a week (weighing about 140g cooked or 170g raw) OR no more than four medium-size cans of tuna a week (with a drained weight of about 140g per can)
You may be craving sushi, but the risk of exposing your baby on board to food poisoning-causing bacteria is too high.
Stay away from raw seafood and raw shell fish (oysters, clams, mussels), because they produce an infection caused by algae. You should also avoid smoked seafood, unless it's an ingredient in a well cooked dish.
Soft Cheeses
Imported soft cheeses may contain bacteria called Listeria. Cheeses that fall into this category include bleu cheese, camembert, feta, brie, and Mexican-style cheese like the three quesos (blanco, fresco, and decrema). Pregnant women should avoid blue veined cheese. You can safely eat soft and hard cheeses made from pasteurized milk.
Pate
Refrigerated pate or meat spreads should be avoided because they may contain the bacteria listeria. Canned pate, or shelf-safe meat spreads can be eaten.
Alcohol and caffeine
When you’re pregnant, it’s best to stop drinking alcohol altogether. Exposure of alcohol to an infant poses harmful risks, and alcohol does reach the baby during breastfeeding. Avoid caffeine during the first trimester and then you should limit the amount of caffeine you have each day after that, or if possible cut it out completely.
Herbal teas
the effects of herbal teas on the baby in your growing belly have not been confirmed. If you cannot give up this beverage, drinking decaffeinated is probably best, in both the hot and cold versions.
Honey
Its fine for pregnant women but honey isn't suitable for babies under a year old
Peanuts
It isn’t clear from the latest science if eating peanuts (or not eating them) when you’re pregnant affects the chances of your baby developing a peanut allergy. If you are unsure what to do, it is advised that you consult your health care practitioner for his expert advice.
Gardening and changing cat litter
Always wear gloves when you're gardening or changing cat litter, and wash your hands afterwards. This is to avoid toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite found in meat, cat faeces and soil.