Pregnancy is a time where women need to have optimal health and enjoy nutritious and healthy foods. It is also a time where a woman must be very careful about what she eats, as some foods may not agree with her now that she is pregnant. Some foods may increase the risk of contracting food poisoning or various other bacterial infections that may be life-threatening to her pregnancy. No matter what stage you are in your pregnancy, take care to avoid these foods and increase your chances of having a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Deli Meat
Deli meat can sometimes be contaminated with listeria, which, according to the American Pregnancy Association, may cause miscarriage. Listeria causes the bacterial infection listeriosis, which can affect both mother and unborn baby. Listeriosis during pregnancy can spread to the placenta and amniotic fluid, which can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy, premature delivery in later stages of pregnancy and, in some cases, stillbirth. If a baby is born with listeriosis, he may have a blood infection, breathing difficulties, fever, internal lesions or meningitis. In the mother-to-be, listeriosis can cause flu-like symptoms, headache, muscle aches, vomiting and fever. Once listeriosis spreads to the central nervous system, it can cause disorientation and convulsions. Once infected, listeriosis may not be noticeable from three to 70 days, although the symptoms may appear within the first four weeks.
Raw and Undercooked Seafood
MayoClinic.com suggests pregnant women steer clear of raw fish and shellfish -- especially oysters and clams -- and refrigerated smoked seafood. Smoked seafood can be eaten if it is contained within a cooked dish, such as paella or casseroles. It is important to cook your seafood until it reaches the internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Unpasteurized Foods
Eating dairy products that contain unpasteurized milk can cause food poisoning, which can be dangerous to both the baby and the mother. Soft cheese, like brie, feta, camembert, blue cheese, queso blanco, queso fresco and panela, are often made from unpasteurized milk and should be avoided. You should also avoid unpasteurized milk and juices.
Foods High in Mercury
Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, iron and protein, which are all needed during pregnancy. However, fish also contains mercury and an excess of mercury may damage your baby's nervous system. For this reason, it is best to avoid swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, shark and any big or aged fish.
