Mercury is a highly toxic element and can occur in polluted waters. In higher amounts, it can affect your nervous system, immune system, and kidneys. It
Large marine fish can accumulate high amounts of mercury, so it’s best to avoid high-mercury fish during pregnancy and nursing.
High-mercury fish to avoid include:
- shark
- swordfish
- king mackerel
- tuna (especially bigeye tuna)
- marlin
- tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico
- orange roughy
Raw fish, especially shellfish, have a high risk of containing bacteria or parasites such as norovirus, Vibrio, Salmonella, and Listeria.
Raw fish can become infected during handling, storing, and processing, including smoking or drying.
These types of infections can cause dehydration and weakness in you, and if you are pregnant, some can pass through the placenta to your baby, even if you don’t have any symptoms. According to
Eating undercooked or raw meat can also increase your risk of infection from bacteria or parasites, including Toxoplasma, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.
Bacteria may threaten your own health and the health and safety of your little one.
Most bacteria occur on the surface of whole pieces of meat, but other bacteria may linger inside the muscle fibers.
Some whole cuts of meat — such as tenderloins, sirloins, or ribeye from beef, lamb, and veal — may be safe to consume when not cooked all the way through. However, this only applies when the piece of meat is whole or uncut, and completely cooked on the outside. During pregnancy, it’s best to avoid any undercooked meat.
Cut meat, including meat patties, burgers, minced meat, pork, and poultry, is never safe to eat raw or undercooked.
- fever
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach cramps
- diarrhea.
It may also cause cramps in the uterus, potentially leading to preterm birth or stillbirth.
Foods that commonly contain raw eggs include:
- lightly scrambled eggs
- tiramisu
- raw batter
- hollandaise sauce
- homemade mayonnaise
- some homemade salad dressings
- homemade egg nog
- homemade ice cream
- some homemade cake icings
- eggs Benedict
Most commercial products containing raw eggs are made with pasteurized eggs and are safe to consume. However, always read the label to make sure.
Make sure to always cook eggs thoroughly or use pasteurized eggs.
Organ meats provide a range of essential nutrients, such as iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, zinc, selenium, and copper — all of which are good for you and your baby.
However, consuming too much preformed vitamin A, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, can lead to congenital malformations and pregnancy loss.
Although this is mostly
However, the humid environment in which the seeds need to start sprouting is ideal for the growth of Salmonella, and it’s almost impossible to wash off.
For this reason, it’s best to avoid raw sprouts altogether, although sprouts are safe to consume when cooked, according to the
Quick tips for foods to avoid when pregnant
- Avoid high-mercury fish including shark, swordfish, tuna, and marlin.
- Raw fish and shellfish can be contaminated with bacteria and parasites. Some of these can cause adverse health effects and harm both you and baby.
- Raw or undercooked meat may contain harmful bacteria. As a general rule, meat should be cooked all the way through.
- Raw eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella, and may put you and your baby at risk. Be sure to thoroughly cook eggs before eating.
- Organ meat is a great source of iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and copper. To prevent consuming too much vitamin A limit your intake of organ meat to a few ounces once a week.
- Limit caffeine intake to under 200 mg per day, which is about 2 to 3 cups of coffee. High caffeine intake during pregnancy may limit baby’s growth and cause low birth weight.
- Raw sprouts may be contaminated with bacteria. Only eat them thoroughly cooked.
- Fruits and vegetables may be contaminated with harmful bacteria, including Toxoplasma. It’s important to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables with plenty of clean water.
- Don’t consume unpasteurized milk, cheese, or fruit juice, as these foods increase the risk of bacterial infections.
- Avoid all alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
- Eating processed foods during pregnancy can increase your risk of excess weight gain, gestational diabetes, and complications. This can have long-term health implications for you and your child.
The surface of unwashed or unpeeled fruits and vegetables may be contaminated with bacteria and parasites such as Toxoplasma, E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. These can come from the soil or through handling.
Contamination can occur at any time during production, harvest, processing, storage, transportation, or retail.
Toxoplasma is a parasite that can linger on plant foods. Most people have no symptoms, but the parasite can
To minimize the risk of infection, thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables with clean water and peel or cook them before eating.
Raw milk and other unpasteurized dairy products can
These infections can all have life threatening consequences for an unborn baby.
The bacteria can occur naturally or result from contamination during collection or storage. Pasteurization can kill any harmful bacteria without changing the nutritional value of the products.
To reduce the risk of infections, eat only pasteurized dairy products.
Highly processed foods tend to be low in nutrients and high in calories, sugar, and added fats, and they may increase the risk of weight gain.
Research has linked a high intake of caffeine to a risk of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, small weight at birth, and various developmental issues.
Caffeine is absorbed very quickly and passes easily into the placenta. Because babies and their placentas don’t have the main enzyme needed to metabolize caffeine, high levels can build up.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends limiting caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams (mg) per day during pregnancy.
When you’re pregnant, it’s essential to avoid foods and beverages that may put you and your baby at risk.
Although most foods are safe to enjoy, it’s best to avoid items such as raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, alcohol, and high-mercury fish. You should also limit your intake of processed foods, as they can be high in added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
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