According to the American Pregnancy Association, most foods are safe to eat during pregnancy. There are, however, a few foods that are best to avoid so that you can ensure a healthy baby. Some foods can potentially carry dangerous bacteria, while others may have high levels of industrial pollutants. There are also a few items that have been known to cause birth defects, like alcohol. Eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding these foods can help you ensure your baby gets all the safe, healthy nutrition he needs.
Raw Eggs
According to the American Pregnancy Association, consuming raw eggs while you're pregnant can increase you risk of ingesting salmonella. Raw eggs are more common that you might think. They're in salad dressings, like Caesar and in hollandaise sauce, custards and certain ice creams. Check to make sure these foods are pasteurized before eating them to make sure potential bacterial are killed off.
Deli Meat and Unpasteurized Dairy
Foods like deli meats, soft cheeses, pate and unpasteurized milk or yogurt products are often contaminated with a bacteria called listeria. According to the American Pregnancy Association, listeria has been liked with miscarriage. It has the ability to penetrate the placenta and infect the baby, which can be fatal. Avoiding these foods will help prevent exposure to listeria.
Fish Containing Mercury
According to the Mayo Clinic, fish are both good and bad for pregnancy. On one hand, they can contain high amounts of mercury, which can cause birth defects. On the other hand, when safe fish is consumed with in moderation, it can help boost the baby's brain development. Large fish tend to have more risk for mercury so it's best to consume less than 12 ounces per week of smaller fish like salmon, pollack, shrimp and catfish -- these are safe fish. Avoid shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackerel, as these can have high amounts of mercury per serving.
Caffeine
Studies have conflicting information about whether caffeine is safe for pregnancy or not. The American Pregnancy Association's position is that while caffeine is generally safe if you consume small amounts (less than 300 mg per day), the safest thing to do is avoid it, just in case. In the first trimester, it has been linked to miscarriage. It's also associated with low birth weight, pre-term birth and addiction withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can cause serious birth defects including fetal alcohol syndrome. Because there's no known level of consumption at which these defects occur, it's important to avoid drinking altogether. While some research indicates that it's okay to have small amounts of alcohol, such as a glass of wine, the American Pregnancy Association and the Mayo Clinic believe that there is no safe amount because you just can't be sure how it will affect the fetus.
