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11 Foods and Beverages to Avoid During Pregnancy

One of the first things people learn when they’re pregnant is what they can’t eat. It can be a real bummer if you’re a big sushi, coffee, or rare steak fan.

Thankfully, there’s more you can eat than what you can’t. You just have to learn how to navigate the waters (the low mercury waters, that is). You’ll want to pay close attention to what you eat and drink to stay healthy .

Certain foods should only be consumed rarely, while others should be avoided completely. Here are 11 foods and beverages to avoid or minimize while pregnant.

Mercury is a highly toxic element. It has no known safe level of exposure and is most commonly found in polluted water.

In higher amounts, it can be toxic to your nervous system, immune system, and kidneys. It may also cause serious developmental problems in children, with adverse effects even in lower amounts.

Since it’s found in polluted seas, large marine fish can accumulate high amounts of mercury. Therefore, it’s best to avoid high mercury fish while pregnant and breastfeeding.

High-mercury fish you want to avoid include:

• shark
• swordfish
• king mackerel
• tuna (especially bigeye tuna)
• marlin
• tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico
• orange roughy

However, it’s important to note that not all fish are high in mercury — just certain types.

Consuming low mercury fish during pregnancy is very healthy, and these fish can be eaten up to three times per week, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Low mercury fish are plentiful and include:

• anchovies
• cod
• flounder
• haddock
• salmon
• tilapia
• trout (freshwater)

Fatty fish like salmon and anchovies are especially good options, as they are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for your baby.

This one will be tough for you sushi fans, but it’s an important one. Raw fish, especially shellfish, can cause several infections. These can be viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, such as norovirus, Vibrio, Salmonella, and Listeria.

Some of these infections may only affect you, causing dehydration and weakness. Other infections may be passed on to your baby with serious, or even fatal, consequences.

Pregnant women are especially susceptible to listeria infections. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are up to 10 times more likely to get infected by Listeria than the general population. Pregnant Hispanic women are 24 times more at risk.

This bacteria can be found in soil and contaminated water or plants. Raw fish can become infected during processing, including smoking or drying.

Listeria bacteria can be passed to your baby through the placenta, even if you’re not showing any signs of illness. This can lead to premature delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth, and other serious health problems, according to the CDC.

It’s definitely advised to avoid raw fish and shellfish, including many sushi dishes. But don’t worry, you’ll enjoy it that much more after baby is born and it’s safer to eat again.

Some of the same issues with raw fish affect undercooked meat, too. Eating undercooked or raw meat increases your risk of infection from several bacteria or parasites, including Toxoplasma, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.

Bacteria may threaten the health of your little one, possibly leading to stillbirth or severe neurological illnesses, including intellectual disability, blindness, and epilepsy.

While most bacteria are found on the surface of whole pieces of meat, 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.

Cut meat, including meat patties, burgers, minced meat, pork, and poultry, should never be consumed raw or undercooked. So keep those burgers on the grill well done for now.

Hot dogs, lunch meat, and deli meat are also of concern, which is sometimes surprising to pregnant people. These types of meat may become infected with various bacteria during processing or storage.

Pregnant women should not consume processed meat products unless they’ve been reheated until steaming hot.

Raw eggs can be contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria.

Symptoms of salmonella infections include fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.

However, in rare cases, the infection may cause cramps in the uterus, leading to premature birth or stillbirth.

Foods that commonly contain raw eggs include:

• lightly scrambled eggs
• poached eggs
• hollandaise sauce
• homemade mayonnaise
• some homemade salad dressings
• homemade ice cream
• homemade cake icings

Most commercial products that contain raw eggs are made with pasteurized eggs and are safe to consume. However, you should always read the label to make sure.

To be on the safe side, make sure to always cook eggs thoroughly or use pasteurized eggs. Save those super runny yolks and homemade mayo until after baby makes their debut.

Organ meat is a great source of a variety of nutrients.

These include iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, zinc, selenium, and copper — all of which are good for you and baby. However, eating too much animal-based vitamin A (preformed vitamin A) is not recommended during pregnancy.

Consuming too much preformed vitamin A, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, can lead to congenital malformations and miscarriage.

Although this is mostly associated with vitamin A supplements, it’s best to keep your consumption of organ meats like liver to just a few ounces once per week.

You may be one of the millions of folks who love their daily cups of coffee, tea, soft drinks, or cocoa. You’re definitely not alone when it comes to our love of caffeine.

Pregnant people are generally advised to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams (mg) per day, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

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.

High caffeine intake during pregnancy has been shown to restrict fetal growth and increase the risk of low birth weight at delivery.

Low birth weight — defined as less than 5 lbs., 8 oz. (or 2.5 kg) — is associated with an increased risk of infant death and a higher risk of chronic diseases in adulthood.

So keep an eye on your daily cup of joe or soda to make sure baby doesn’t have exposure to too much caffeine.

Your healthy salad choice may not be free from rogue ingredients, either. Raw sprouts, including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts, may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The humid environment required by seeds to start sprouting is ideal for these kinds of bacteria, and they’re almost impossible to wash off.

For this reason, you’re advised to avoid raw sprouts altogether. However, sprouts are safe to consume after they have been cooked, according to the FDA.

The surface of unwashed or unpeeled fruits and vegetables may be contaminated with several bacteria and parasites.

These include Toxoplasma, E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can be acquired from the soil or through handling.

Contamination can occur at any time during production, harvest, processing, storage, transportation, or retail. One dangerous parasite that may linger on fruits and vegetables is called Toxoplasma.

The majority of people who get toxoplasmosis have no symptoms, while others may feel like they have the flu for a month or more.

Most infants who are infected with the Toxoplasma bacteria while still in the womb have no symptoms at birth. However, symptoms such as blindness or intellectual disabilities may develop later in life.

What’s more, a small percentage of infected newborns have serious eye or brain damage at birth.

While you’re pregnant, it’s very important to minimize the risk of infection by thoroughly washing with water, peeling, or cooking fruits and vegetables. Keep it up as a good habit after baby arrives, too.

Raw milk, unpasteurized cheese, and soft-ripened cheeses can contain an array of harmful bacteria, including Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. (These are probably sounding familiar by now.)

The same goes for unpasteurized juice, which is also prone to bacterial contamination. These infections can all have life-threatening consequences for an unborn baby.

The bacteria can be naturally occurring or caused by contamination during collection or storage. Pasteurization is the most effective way to kill any harmful bacteria, without changing the nutritional value of the products.

To minimize the risk of infections, eat only pasteurized milk, cheese, and fruit juice.

It’s advised to completely avoid drinking alcohol when pregnant, as it increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Even a small amount can negatively impact your baby’s brain development.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can also cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which involves facial deformities, heart defects and intellectual disability.

Since no level of alcohol has been proven to be safe during pregnancy, it’s recommended to avoid it altogether.

There’s no better time than pregnancy to start eating nutrient-dense foods to help both you and your growing little one. You’ll need increased amounts of many essential nutrients, including protein, folate, choline, and iron.

It’s also a myth that you’re “eating for two.” You can eat as you normally do during the first semester, then increase by about 350 calories per day in your second trimester, and about 450 calories per day in your third trimester.

An optimal pregnancy eating plan should mainly consist of whole foods, with plenty of nutrients to fulfill yours and baby’s needs. Processed junk food is generally low in nutrients and high in calories, sugar, and added fats.

While some weight gain is necessary during pregnancy, excess weight gain has been linked to many complications and diseases. These include an increased risk of gestational diabetes, as well as pregnancy or birth complications.

Stick to meals and snacks that focus on protein, vegetables and fruits, healthy fats, and fiber-rich carbohydrates like whole grains, beans, and starchy vegetables. Don’t worry, there are lots of ways to sneak veggies into your meals without sacrificing taste.

When you’re pregnant, it’s essential to avoid foods and beverages that may put you and your baby at risk.

Although most foods and beverages are perfectly safe to enjoy, some, like raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, alcohol, and high mercury fish, should be avoided.

Plus, some foods and beverages like coffee and foods high in added sugar, should be limited in order to promote a healthy pregnancy.

If you want to learn more about what foods you should eat during pregnancy, check out this article: Healthy Eating During Pregnancy.

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.

What not to eat during pregnancy TEA.RU

Pregnancy is a wonderful time when a woman's body needs energy and strength more than ever, as it goes through internal changes. For the easiest passage of this period, the diet of the expectant mother should be complete, varied and balanced - this is the key to a woman's health and the proper development of the fetus.

First trimester

In early pregnancy, the diet can not be changed much, but some foods and dishes should be excluded:

• fast food;
  
• smoked products;
  
• fatty and spicy foods;
  
• canned food;
  
• exotic products;
  
• carbonated drinks;
  
• products containing allergens;
  
• raw eggs;
  
• raw and half-cooked meat;
  
• liver;
  
• sushi;
  
• soft cheeses; nine0010
• unpasteurized milk and juices.
  

Fish (raw and high in mercury), seafood

You can not eat makaira, swordfish, mackerel, tiled and white tuna. Raw fish may contain bacteria and parasites. Smoked fish should also be avoided.

Unpasteurized soft cheeses

Feta and camembert may contain listeria bacteria as they are made from raw milk. These bacteria, once in the body of the fetus, can cause severe developmental disorders and even miscarriage. If you want to consume these cheeses, then look for a product that says pasteurized on the label (mozzarella, ricotta, cream cheeses, halloumi, processed cheeses). nine0003

Unpasteurized milk and juices

Unpasteurized milk and freshly squeezed juices can be contaminated with E. coli, listeria, salmonella bacteria, which are pathogenic and undesirable for pregnant women.

Raw eggs

You should not eat dishes containing raw protein or yolk, or that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment. For example, soft-boiled eggs, sauces, eggnog. During pregnancy, it is better to eat hard-boiled or pasteurized eggs. nine0003

Raw and semi-raw meat and poultry

Such meat may also be contaminated with Listeria. Pates and meat spreads should also be temporarily forgotten. Before eating meat dishes, make sure that the meat has been properly cooked.

Fast food and fried foods

This kind of food was not included in the list of strictly prohibited, but it is worth remembering that it can harm the gastrointestinal tract and cause an imbalance in the body, which can negatively affect the general condition of the expectant mother. If during the period of bearing a child, you really want to eat something harmful, try to find a healthy alternative. For example, fry food in a small amount of oil, or better bake. The main thing to remember is that a balanced diet and a healthy diet are the foundation of your health, and therefore the health of your baby. nine0003

Caffeine

Too much caffeine can lead to a number of problems:
Sleep disturbance, as this substance increases the reflex excitability of the nervous system.
Anemia - the phenol contained in caffeine does not allow the absorption of iron in the blood, which can adversely affect the body of the mother and child.
Heartburn – coffee is a hydrochloric acid stimulant, so even the weakest drink can increase heartburn.

High sugar foods

A large amount of sugar during pregnancy can lead to active and rapid weight gain, which will put stress on the spine and joints. Calcium will also begin to leach out - this can cause a loss of vitamin B1 and problems with teeth and liver. If there were prerequisites, then excessive consumption of sweets can cause diabetes, digestive disorders in pregnant women.

Late pregnancy

In the last months of pregnancy, the fetus grows rapidly. Therefore, the diet of a pregnant woman should be rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements. To help the body cope with stress, pregnant women should adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Reduce the amount of spicy, smoked and salty foods.
   
2. Reduce the amount of salt. It retains fluid that causes swelling and stresses the kidneys.
   
3. Exclude semi-prepared and canned foods. They are low in nutrients and contain harmful additives. nine0010

To make pregnancy an exciting journey, a woman needs to eat healthy and wholesome food. It is necessary to increase the amount of whole grains, meat, poultry and fish. Be sure to include vegetables, fruits, protein and dairy products in your diet. It is useful to consume olive oil and avocado, they are rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats. During pregnancy, the body needs more calcium, for this reason, you need to increase the intake of milk and dairy products. Almonds, cauliflower and white cabbage can also be an additional source of calcium. nine0003

Also, do not forget about the water balance. Water helps prevent dehydration and reduces the risk of fetal harm and premature contractions. It is recommended to drink two liters a day.

8 foods that pregnant women should not eat

June 15, 2019 Likbez Health

Even scrambled eggs and healthy fish oil can do harm.

If you are pregnant, you should reduce the amount of coffee and avoid alcohol altogether. Everyone knows this.

But there are far more insidious foods. At first glance, they seem innocent and even useful. But in fact, they can harm mom or an unborn baby more than a couple of cups of double espresso three times a day.

Here is a list of popular foods to avoid during pregnancy. Or at least think twice before you eat.

1. Raw eggs

As well as products containing them: eggnog, homemade mayonnaise, raw dough, poached eggs, fried eggs with raw yolk, tiramisu. nine0003

What is the danger

One word is enough: salmonellosis. This acute intestinal infection is fortunately not fatal, but is accompanied by severe diarrhea and vomiting that can cause dehydration. But this is already bad: the normal blood supply to the fetus and the level of amniotic fluid in the uterus depend on the amount of moisture. Water deficiency can result in violations in the development of the unborn baby, as well as an increased risk of miscarriage.

What to do

If you have no strength to refuse eggs, make sure that they are thoroughly washed and heat-treated. Hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, baked goods are safe. nine0003

2. Raw meat

As well as rare fried steaks (“with blood”), raw smoked and cured sausages, poorly fried minced meat, for example, in fast food.

What is the danger

Raw meat may be contaminated with parasites. For example, Toxoplasma. They are able to penetrate the placental barrier and cause serious disturbances in the development of the unborn baby.

What to do

It's easy to get rid of parasites in meat - cook it properly. If we are talking about dried or smoked products, freezing them for four days will help reduce the risk. nine0003

3. Raw fish

Be especially careful with river and wild ocean fish, shellfish (oysters, mussels), dried and smoked fish of all kinds and sushi.

What is the danger

The range of troubles that you can get by eating a roll or dried perch is wide:

• like meat, fish can be infected with parasites;
• in the pulp there are also pathogenic bacteria - for example, listeria or botulinum bacteria, which cause deadly botulism (for mothers as well); nine0011
• river fish can be caught in chemically polluted reservoirs - and all toxic substances will go to both mother and baby;
• oceanic fish accumulate mercury. Shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish are especially dangerous in this regard. Mercury poisoning affects the health of both the mother and the unborn baby - this element can cause brain damage and developmental delays.

What to do

Eat only properly cooked fish. You can take a chance with canned food: just keep an eye on the expiration date and in no case use the product from swollen cans. nine0003

4. Liver

Liver pate and sausage, cod liver oil.

What is the danger

Too much vitamin A. Its excess can lead to the development of birth defects in the fetus.

What to do

Do not abuse liver products. Especially if for some reason you are taking vitamin A supplements. Yes, and in no case should you prescribe vitamins and supplements for yourself - only your doctor can do this.

5. Soft cheeses

In the area of ​​special attention:

• soft cheeses with white mold - brie and camembert;
• blue cheeses - gorgonzola, roquefort, danish blue.

What is the danger

Due to the high humidity and mold, such cheeses are an ideal environment for the development of all kinds of bacteria, including those dangerous to the fetus. The same listeria, once in the body of a future baby, can provoke severe developmental disorders, miscarriage or stillbirth.

What to do

The ideal option is to switch to hard cheese (cheddar, parmesan, stilton and others): it is safe. Soft cheeses can also be consumed, but only if they are made from pasteurized milk. These are mozzarella, feta, ricotta, cream cheeses, halloumi, processed cheeses.

6. Unpasteurized milk

As well as yogurt and ice cream prepared from it.

What is the danger

All in the same high risk of bacteria content. Unpasteurized milk is a product that has not undergone heat treatment. Therefore, the same listeria, which is deadly for the unborn child, can be found in it. nine0003

What to do

Try to drink only pasteurized milk. If for some reason only raw is available, be sure to boil it before drinking.

7. Caffeinated products

In addition to coffee, this includes green tea, chocolate, cola, energy drinks, and some cold and flu medications.

What is the danger

An excess of this substance can cause the baby to have a low birth weight - and this increases the risk of health problems later. Sometimes the abuse of caffeine products provokes a miscarriage. nine0003

What to do

You don't have to cut out caffeine completely, you just need to go no more than 200 mg per day. In order not to cross the line, be guided by approximate values:

• 1 cup of instant coffee - 100 mg of caffeine;
• 1 cup espresso - 140 mg;
• 1 cup tea - 75 mg;
• 1 can cola (330 ml) - 40 mg;
• 1 Energy Drink (250 ml) - 80 mg;
• 50 g dark chocolate - up to 25 mg;
• 50 g milk chocolate - up to 10 mg.

Once again, we emphasize: these are approximate figures. But they can be used for calculation. For example, if you drank a cup of espresso in the morning and a can of cola in the middle of the day, you received almost 200 mg of caffeine.

8. Poorly washed vegetables and fruits

As well as berries that grow close to the soil - the same strawberries or currants on the lower branches of the bush. Freshly squeezed juices are also questionable if you do not know how thoroughly you washed the ingredients before cooking.

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