Food to avoid during pregnancy

A pregnant women has to take due care about what she eats and what would be the good and bad effects of her intake of food items. There has to be balanced, rich and nutritive diet that must include all the basic and required nutrients that are required for the growth and development of the women and the unborn child.

Some foods that must be strictly avoided:

Uncooked seafood and raw meat must be avoided because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria.
2. Do not use foods such as tilefish, shark, swordfish and King mackerel.
3. Raw fish, oysters and clams must be avoided.
4. If possible, avoid rare burgers, soda, frozen foods and sausages.
5. Hot dogs and heat deli meats must also be avoided.
6. Unpasteurized milk products must be avoided.
7. Use of cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine must be avoided.
8. Use of raw eggs, canned pate and unwashed vegetables must be avoided.

Salmonella which is bad for health can be found in foods containing raw egg such as mayonnaise, Caesar dressing, custard or homemade ice cream and unpasteurized eggnog.

Soft cheeses such as blue cheese, cambert, queso blanco and queso fresco cheeses may become contaminated with the Listeria bacteria that are likely to cause sickness or death of the unborn child or the women.

Studies have revealed that there is a presence of high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or Mercury in the fish which could result in damage of Brain cells and may harm the child’s ability to speak or walk. The intake of fish that are likely to contain very high levels of PCBs is linked to a fall in the levels of IQ, attention and memory in infants.

Deli meats can be a factor for the poisoning of the food called Listeriosis which is particularly harmful to fetus.

Animal liver have proved to have very high levels of vitamin A which if taken in large quantities can lead to a higher incidence of birth defects in the babies.

Several studies have revealed that the usage of raw sprouts can actually lead to a few incidents of salmonella outbreaks. So, it is advisable that pregnant women eat sprouts that are properly cooked or avoid eating them in totality.

Finally, it is significant to remember that the preparation and handling of food items is essential in avoiding many of the bacterial infections.

Pregnant women have to make sure that her hands are regularly washed up as that minimizes the risk of infections to her and the unborn child. There has to be care taken of her health through regular medical check-ups and her diet must be in accordance with the prescription of a medical practitioner.