Avoid foods during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life. However, it is very important that an expectant mother watches what she eats. After all, a well balanced diet affects both the mother and the developing child.

Some foods contain bacteria that might harm the mother or worse the developing fetus and could also result in a miscarriage.

Given below is a list of foods should be stayed away from during pregnancy.

• Raw shellfish: Pregnant women should avoid this as it can cause many sea borne diseases.

• Swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and shark all contain high levels of mercury.

Too much mercury can result in brain damage to the fetus.

• Raw meat should be strictly avoided. This includes poultry, seafood, sushi, rare of uncooked beef. The bacteria present (coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella) can harm the baby.

Raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided for the same reason. Also beware of food made at home that may contain raw egg, for instance chocolate mousse or ice cream or custard.

• Soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camambert, Gorgonzola or blue cheese contain harmful bacteria as do others like queso blanco and queso fresco.

• Limit your intake of liver and liver products (sausages or pate) as it contains large amounts of the retinol form of Vitamin A which are harmful to the growing baby.

• It is best to steer clear of alcohol altogether. Alcohol can cause severe learning and physical disabilities as well as emotional problems for children whose mothers consumed alcohol when pregnant.

Caffeine should also be avoided as studies have shown a connection between this and miscarriages and premature birth too.

• Deli meats such as hot dogs contain the listeria bacteria which could cause stillbirths or miscarriages. Smoked seafood (especially refrigerated) and meat spreads should be avoided for the same reason too.

• Ensure that the vegetables you eat are washed thoroughly before you eat them.

They might be exposed to toxoplasmosis which is a parasitic disease which affects the soil where the vegetables grow.

• Steer clear of salmon, bluefish, striped bass, trout, walleye and pike. These are fish that have been exposed to industrial pollutants which are harmful for health.

• Unpasteurized milk contains listeria. Ensure that the milk you drink is pasteurized.

• Any kind of pate -fish, meat or vegetable should be avoided.

Keep the above foods in mind while planning your diet in pregnancy.