7 Foods to Avoid or Limit During Pregnancy

7 Foods to Avoid or Limit During Pregnancy

If you recently found out you are pregnant, it’s time to temporarily say goodbye to sushi, deli meat and alcohol. It can be hard, especially when those cravings hit. But it tastes even better once the baby arrives. My first food after giving birth was a beach club sandwich from Jimmy Johns and let me tell you – it was heavenly. But for now, it’s time to take to make a few adjustments to your diet to ensure your baby stays safe. Here are foods the avoid and limit during pregnancy, according to Mayo Clinic.

 Fish and Seafood

Avoid:

• Raw fish and shellfish can contain bacteria or viruses, so it’s recommended to avoid things like sushi, ceviche or raw oysters.
• Some types of seafood can contain a lot of mercury, which can cause adverse effects on your growing baby. It’s best to avoid things like tuna, swordfish or mackerel.

Limit:

• Many types of seafood contain only small amounts of mercury and have a lot of healthy fats, so it’s beneficial to eat them in moderation.
• Some examples of low-mercury seafood are salmon, cod, haddock, trout, shrimp, tilapia and anchovies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that pregnant women eat only 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week.
• When cooking fish, make sure the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

 Meat

Avoid:

• Unfortunately, deli meat can be a concern for several bacteria, like E.coli, listeria and salmonella. If you heat up the meat until it’s steaming hot, you can consume it – but let’s face it, it’s not the same.
• Hot dogs should also be avoided, unless they are steaming hot.

Be Cautious:

• Make sure any meat or poultry is fully cooked before eating it. For example, if you are ordering a steak ask for medium-well to well-done. This means you won’t see any red when you cut into it.

 Undercooked or Raw Eggs

 Avoid:

• You can be more susceptible to foodborne illnesses when pregnant, like salmonella. So, avoid foods made with raw eggs, like eggnog, cookie batter or Caesar salad dressing.

Be Cautious:

• Hard-boiled, scrambled and fried eggs are a healthy and easy staple that you can still consume while pregnant. Just make sure the whites and yolks of the eggs are fully cooked.

 Caffeine

 Avoid:

• Energy drinks and pre-workout are not recommended during pregnancy, as they contain extremely high amounts of caffeine.

Limit:

• You don’t need to get rid of your morning cup of coffee, but it’s recommended you limit yourself to just the one. The effects of caffeine on your baby aren’t fully clear yet, so your doctor may recommend limiting caffeine to less than 200 milligrams a day.

 Unpasteurized Foods

 Avoid:

• Avoid soft cheeses, such as brie, feta and blue cheese if they are unpasteurized because they can lead to foodborne illnesses.
• Check labels to make sure your milk and juice is pasteurized.

Swap for:

• Items like skim milk, mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese can still be consumed.

 Alcohol

Avoid:

• Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a lot of developmental issues and pregnancy risks, so it’s recommended to avoid it completely.

 Unwashed Produce

 Avoid:

• Avoid any raw fruits or vegetables that aren’t thoroughly washed.
• Sprouts of any kind should be avoided, including alfalfa, clover, radish and mung bean.

Be Cautious:

• After your fruits and vegetables are thoroughly washed, they are safe to eat. Even better if they are baked or steamed.

 The list isn’t too unmanageable, is it? Just as it’s worth the wait for your sweet baby, it’s worth the wait for some sushi and a Jimmy Johns sandwich.