Deli Meat: Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria,
which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta
and may infect the baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which may
be life-threatening. If you are pregnant and you are considering eating deli
meats, make certain that you reheat the meat until it is steaming.
Fish with Mercury: Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be
avoided. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental
delays and brain damage. A sample of these types of fish include: shark,
swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Canned, chunk light tuna generally
has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but still should only be
eaten in moderation. Certain types of fish used in sushi should also be
avoided due to high levels of mercury. Please see Mercury in Fish for
specific types of fish and further information on how to calculate mercury
levels.
Smoked Seafood -Refrigerated, smoked seafood often labeled as lox, nova
style, kippered, or jerky should be avoided because it could be contaminated
with Listeria. (These are safe to eat when they are in an ingredient in a
meal that has been cooked, like a casserole.) This type of fish is often
found in the deli section of your grocery store. Canned or shelf-safe smoked
seafood is usually OK to eat.
Fish Exposed to Industrial Pollutants: Avoid fish from contaminated lakes
and rivers that may be exposed to high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls.
This is primarily for those who fish in local lakes and streams. These fish
include: bluefish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout, and walleye. Contact
the local health department or Environmental Protection Agency to determine
which fish are safe to eat in your area. Remember, this is regarding fish
caught in local waters and not fish from your local grocery store.
Your purchase supports the APA
Raw Shellfish: The majority of seafood-borne illness is caused by
undercooked shellfish, which include oysters, clams, and mussels. Cooking
helps prevent some types of infection, but it does not prevent the algae-
related infections that are associated with red tides. Raw shellfish pose a
concern for everybody, and they should be avoided altogether during
pregnancy.
Raw Eggs: Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs should be avoided
because of the potential exposure to salmonella. Some homemade Caesar
dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards, and Hollandaise
sauces may be made with raw eggs.
If the recipe is cooked at some point, this will reduce the exposure to
salmonella. Commercially manufactured ice cream, dressings, and eggnog are
made with pasteurized eggs and do not increase the risk of salmonella.
Restaurants should be using pasteurized eggs in any recipe that is made with
raw eggs, such as Hollandaise sauce or dressings.
Soft Cheeses: Imported soft cheeses may contain bacteria called Listeria,
which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta
and may infect the baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which can
be life-threatening. You would need to avoid soft cheeses such as: Brie,
Camembert, Roquefort, Feta, Gorgonzola and Mexican style cheeses that
include queso blanco and queso fresco, unless they clearly state that they
are made from pasteurized milk. All soft non-imported cheeses made with
pasteurized milk are safe to eat.
Unpasteurized Milk: Unpasteurized milk may contain bacteria called listeria,
which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta
and may infect the baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which can
be life-threatening. Make sure that any milk you drink is pasteurized.
Pate: Refrigerated pate or meat spreads should be avoided because they may
contain the bacteria listeria. Canned pate, or shelf-safe meat spreads can
be eaten.
Caffeine: Although most studies show that caffeine intake in moderation is
OK, there are others that show that caffeine intake may be related to
miscarriages. Avoid caffeine during the first trimester to reduce the
likelihood of a miscarriage. As a general rule, caffeine should be limited
to fewer than 300 mg per day during pregnancy. Caffeine is a diuretic, which
means it helps eliminate fluids from the body. This can result in water and
calcium loss. It is important that you are drinking plenty of water, juice,
and milk rather than caffeinated beverages. Some research shows that large
amounts of caffeine are associated with miscarriage, premature birth, low
birth weight, and withdrawal symptoms in infants. The safest thing is to
refrain from consuming caffeine.
Alcohol: There is NO amount of alcohol that is known to be safe during
pregnancy, and therefore alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy.
Prenatal exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of
the baby. Depending on the amount, timing, and pattern of use, alcohol
consumption during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or other
developmental disorders. If you consumed alcohol before you knew you were
pregnant, stop drinking now. You should continue to avoid alcohol during
breastfeeding. Exposure of alcohol to an infant poses harmful risks, and
alcohol does reach the baby during breastfeeding.
Unwashed Vegetables: Yes, vegetables are safe to eat, so you still need to
eat them. However, it is essential to make sure they are washed to avoid
potential exposure to toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis may contaminate the soil
where the vegetables were grown.