Foods Pregnant Women Shouldn't Eat

 Foods Pregnant Women Shouldn't Eat

Foods that are usually considered healthy staples may take on a much more sinister role during pregnancy. Experts advise sticking to a diet that’s rich in lean meats, well-washed fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and other legumes, and low-fat dairy while you’re expecting. And while it’s easy to control, say, the cleanliness of the lettuce in your salad when you’re preparing it for yourself, if you’re at a restaurant it can be far trickier to know if what you’re getting is completely clean.  

• Uncooked eggs

If your favorite eggs are over easy or sunny side up, you won’t be happy to hear that you should cook eggs or any dishes containing them until the yolks are firm or they reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Undercooked eggs may expose you to Salmonella, so be sure to avoid them.

• Unpasteurized dairy

Pregnant women should aim to get three to four daily servings of dairy. It's packed with calcium, protein, and vitamin D to help build your baby's developing bones, teeth, heart, and nerves. But there is one caveat: not all dairy products are safe to eat when you've got a bun in the oven. "Avoid raw milk and other raw dairy products," says Sarah Krieger, RDN, a registered dietitian who specializes in maternal and prenatal nutrition. Check the label to see if your milk and cheese has been pasteurized. "[The process] kills bacteria, which can be harmful if consumed," she says. Certain varieties of soft cheese are considered risky, such as Brie, Camembert, blue cheese, and feta. These are often (but not always) unpasteurized, and can carry Listeria, a germ that can cause miscarriages.

• Soft Cheeses

Avoid cheeses made with unpasteurized milk, like brie, feta, and queso blanco, because they may contain E. coli or listeria, Pregnant women are 20 times more likely to become sick from these bacteria than other adults. Listeria contamination may result in symptoms like fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, or, in the most severe cases, death, because it can cause listeriosis. In other cases, a mother may not show any external symptoms, but can pass listeria to her infant, which can lead to miscarriage, preterm delivery, infant death, mental retardation, paralysis, or seizures.

• Cold deli meats

Though deli meats and hot dogs are not totally off-limits, be sure that they are heated to a steamy 165 degrees Farhenheit before consuming them. Unless they are thoroughly cooked, they may contain Listeria bacteria, which could bring on a bout of foodborne illness.

• Salad bars and prepared salads

Salads are often prepared with fresh fruits and vegetables, making them one of the healthiest meals you can eat—so you may be surprised to learn that you will need to avoid salad bars and prepared salads at delis and cafeterias. "There are several concerns here," says Krieger. "Has the temperature been consistently less than 40 degrees? Has the food been sitting out for less than two hours? And is there any unpasteurized cheese in the food?" If the answer is yes to any of these, the food may have been exposed to Salmonella, Listeria, or E. Coli. It's much safer to prepare your own salads at home, after giving the leafy greens a thorough wash.

• Coffee

"Caffeine is a concern," says Krieger. Consuming very high amounts has been linked to miscarriages, so you may want to cut down on coffee during pregnancy. But here's good news: you don't need to go cold turkey. Consuming up to 200 mg of caffeine per day is generally considered to be safe. This is equivalent to one to two cups of coffee. "However, some women may feel more sensitive to caffeine during pregnancy," says Kreiger. If you do choose to indulge, you will need to keep track of other sneaky sources of caffeine, such as chocolate and energy drinks.