Are There Certain Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy?
|
|
While nutrition is always important, it is especially a concern for the pregnant woman. In addition, pregnancy creates a unique set of circumstances in which your baby depends exclusively on the food choices that you make for her well-being.
Certain foods can contain chemicals that may be harmful to your baby’s growth and development while you are pregnant. Other foods can create the risk of food-borne illness, which can be particularly harmful to your baby. In general, you should avoid:
- Certain types of fish, including shark, tile fish, king mackerel, and swordfish. These fish may all contain high levels of mercury. In general, it is recommended that you keep to 2 servings or less of fish in a week. Good fish can include shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish, and canned light tuna. Game fish may be all right, but you should check with local health officials or your health care provider before eating these.
- Raw meat or seafood. Uncooked meats contain a greater risk for listeria and/or salmonella.
- Refrigerated smoked seafood. Refrigerated smoked seafood may also increase the risk of listeria. Canned versions of these may be all right to eat.
- Hot dogs and deli meats. These also are particularly susceptible to listeria. Deli meats may be all right if you cook them thoroughly.
- Raw eggs. Raw eggs and things made with them, such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, and a variety of other sauces may be made from raw eggs. Raw eggs may contain salmonella.
- Soft cheeses. You should avoid Brie, Camembert, Feta, blue-veined cheeses, Panela, queso fresco and queso blanco.
- Liver. Liver may contain high levels of Vitamin A, which may be harmful to your baby.
- Any unpasteurized milk or juice. Also, any foods made from unpasteurized milk or juice should be avoided as well.
In addition, it is important for a pregnant woman to have a balanced diet that contains all of the things that both mother and baby need.
Related Articles:
if you have any questions or comments!