Dangerous Foods All Pregnant Women Should Avoid!

        Every expectant mom knows there are certain foods that should be avoided during pregnancy to protect the health of their unborn baby. The list, however, has become so long and so controversial that it’s difficult to know which foods/ drinks actually pose a health risk and which ones are actually safe for consumption.
When it comes to pregnancy, there are certain foods that should most definitely be avoided. Foods that are too high in mercury or Vitamin A can pose a healthbrisk to your baby, as can foods that are known to cause foodborne illness such as Listeriosis and Salmonella poisoning.
        If you’re worried about your diet, talk to your doctor to find out exactly what foods you can or cannot eat. In the meantime, you should definitely avoid eating the following foods which have been proven to be the most dangerous when it comes to pregnancy.
If you don’t cut anything else out of your diet during your pregnancy, make sure you remove the following foods:

1. Feta Cheese

Feta is a popular form of cheese, used in many salads and pastas and adored by food connoisseurs all over the world. Unfortunately, this type of cheese (along with other soft, unpasteurized cheese which we talk about later on this blog ) has been linked to foodborne illness such as Listeriosis. Avoid any cheeses that have “unpasteurized” on the label and opt for safer choices like
mozzarella cheese instead.

2. King Mackerel

King mackerel may be a healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids for average individuals but the high level of mercury in this particular fish (and a few other on our list) can be potentially dangerous to your unborn baby. Too much mercury can damage your baby’s developing nervous system. Ensure you get the right amount of omega-3 fatty acids by eating healthy, safer types of fish like salmon, tilapia and shrimp and staying within the recommended guidelines for mercury consumption .

3. Caffeinated Coffee/Tea/Pop

The amount of caffeine a pregnant woman can safely consume has been widely argued by many experts. Caffeine can cross the placenta and affect your baby’s heart rate. Common sources of caffeine include, but are not limited to, coffee,

tea and pop. Many doctors recommend that pregnant women consume no morevthan 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. On average, an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains approximately 95 milligrams of caffeine, an 8-ounce cup of tea contains about 47 milligrams and and a 12-ounce pop contains about 29

milligrams. If you’re unsure about how much caffeine is safe, it’s best to avoid it altogether until you talk to your doctor.

4. Brie Cheese

Brie cheese, similar to feta cheese, is commonly unpasteurized and can pose potential health risks to you and your unborn baby. These types of soft cheeses are commonly linked to foodborne illnesses such as Listeriosis. Listeriosis can be incredibly dangerous for pregnant women. Even a mild form of this infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or severe illness in newborn babies. Always check the label and avoid any foods that indicate that they are “unpasteurized.”

5. Deli Meats

Processed deli meats should be avoided during pregnancy. These meats have been linked to Listeriosis – a dangerous foodborne illness that can cause miscarriage, severe illness and even stillbirths. Foods in this category include any processed deli meats (ham, turkey, chicken, salami etc) as well as uncooked hot dogs and bologna. Either cook these meats until they are steaming hot – or avoid them altogether.

6. Liver

Liver – and most liver products (like liver pate or liver sausage) – contain dangerously high amounts of Vitamin A. Too much Vitamin A has been linked to birth defects in babies. Monitor your intake of Vitamin A (ask your doctor how much of this vitamin is safe) and avoid high-dose multi-vitamin supplements, fish liver oil supplements and any supplement containing Vitamin A.

7. Unpasteurized Milk

Much like unpasteurized cheeses (like Brie and Feta, mentioned earlier in this article) unpasteurized milk can pose huge health risks to your unborn baby.

    Don’t drink raw milk (also known as unpasteurized milk), including sheep’s milk or goat’s milk (that includes goat cheese as well) as these have been known to cause foodborne illnesses such as Listeriosis. Listeriosis is a dangerous infection that can lead to miscarriage, severe illness and even

stillbirth.

8. Uncooked Eggs

Many people toss a few uncooked eggs into their morning smoothies but pregnant woman should avoid eating uncooked eggs altogether. In their uncooked form, eggs pose a huge risk for salmonella poisoning. Other products to be wary of are ones made with raw or partially cooked eggs such as some caesar salad dressings, raw cookie dough and eggnog.

10. Blue Cheese

Blue cheese (and other soft cheeses like Camembert and Mexican-style cheeses like queso fresco and queso blanco) can lead to foodborne illness. These products (like feta cheese and brie cheese) are generally made with unpasteurized milk which has often been linked to Listeriosis. Listeriosis is a harmful and potentially fatal infection that can lead to miscarriage, severe illness and even stillbirths. Instead, opt for pasteurized cheeses like mozzarella

and cottage cheese.

    

There are several other foods that pregnant women should avoid eating. These include, but are not limited to, certain types of sushi (which often contains raw fish), unwashed vegetables (always wash all of your vegetables thoroughly to reduce the risk of listeriosis) and alcohol .Always consult with your doctor if you have questions during your pregnancy.