10 Dangerous Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience provided pregnant women avoid certain foods that could cause danger to the unborn baby; this includes foods that are high in Vitamin A, mercury and those causing food borne diseases like Listeriosis and Salmonella poisoning.

Avoid these 10 dangerous foods during pregnancy:

1) King mackerel though a healthy source of Omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided by pregnant women; they contain a high level of mercury that could damage the unborn baby’s developing nervous system. You could however take safer types of fish like salmon, tilapia and shrimp and stay within the recommended guidelines for mercury consumption.

2) Swordfish and shark like King mackerel contain high level of mercury and are dangerous; they damage the baby’s developing nervous system. You could substitute them with healthier fish like canned light tuna, salmon, shrimp or cod, making sure you eat just 12 ounces of mercury contaminated fish a week.  

3) Feta cheese used popularly in salads and pastas are unpasteurized should be avoided as it could cause listeriosis; it is best opt for safer options like mozzarella cheese.

4) Brie cheese like feta cheese is unpasteurized, with this soft cheese causing listeriosis, food borne infection that could lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or severe illness in newborn babies.

5) Processed deli meats like ham, turkey, chicken, salami, uncooked hot dogs and bologna are also dangerous during pregnancy; they could again lead to listeriosis. Avoid these meats altogether or have them cooked till steaming hot.    

6) Caffeinated coffee /tea/pop, some of the common sources of caffeine are to be taken in moderation; caffeine could cross the placenta and cause harm the unborn baby’s heart rate. Limit your intake of caffeine to 200 milligrams per day; in case you are unsure about how much caffeine is safe, avoid it altogether or consult your doctor.

7) Unpasteurized milk like unpasteurized cheeses pose huge health risks to the unborn baby; avoid raw milk, sheep’s milk and goat’s milk and cheese. They could cause food borne illnesses like listeriosis that could lead to miscarriages, stillbirths and severe illness.  

8) Liver and its products like liver pate, liver sausage and fish liver oil supplements, and high dose multi-vitamin supplements and supplements containing Vitamin A are dangerous; excess of Vitamin A in them is linked to birth defects in babies, so its intake should be strictly monitored.   

9) Uncooked eggs are to be avoided by pregnant women as they pose a great risk for salmonella poisoning. Also avoid products like Caesar salad dressings, raw cookie dough and eggnog made out of raw or partially cooked eggs.

10) Blue cheese and other soft cheeses like Camembert and Mexican-style cheeses like queso fresco and queso blanco like feta cheese and brie cheese are unpasteurized and could lead to listeriosis; it is best to opt for pasteurized cheeses like mozzarella and cottage cheese.

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