Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
You are probably fully aware of what kinds of food you need to eat during your pregnancy. But did you also know that what you don’t eat at this time can be just as important?
Fish
While it’s true that fish is an excellent source for iron, protein, and omega 3 fatty acids, there are some fish that are dangerous to eat while pregnant because of their high content of mercury. These fish listed contain a high amount of mercury;
* Swordfish
* Shark
* King mackerel
* Tilefish
There are some fish that are safe to eat. The FDA says it is safe to eat 12 ounces a week of the following;
* Shrimp
* Canned tuna
* Albacore tuna and tuna steaks should be limited to 6 oz a week.
* Salmon
* Pollock
* Catfish
Avoid eating raw fish in order to avoid getting bacteria or viruses. Also the only time smoked fish is safe, is if it is included in a casserole
Eating meat and poultry
Make sure all your meat and poultry is fully cooked in order to prevent in taking bacteria like E coli. Cook the meat until the juices are clear, but also use a meat thermometer to make sure. Meat should be cooked to 160 degrees.
Even hot dogs and meats from your deli are known to carry an illness. Make sure you cook the hot dogs and heat your meats from the deli until they are hot. It is also suggested that you may want to avoid them altogether.
Dairy Foods
Eating unpasteurized dairy products is definitely not on your pregnancy diet. Before eating, check the labels on the following list of soft cheeses to make sure they are not made with unpasteurized milk.
* Brie
* Feta
* Camembert
* Roquefort
* Mexican cheeses
Avoid lots of caffeine
Drinking too much caffeine daily can effect your baby’s heart rate and breathing. As well as the baby’s weight at birth and the measurement of the head. Your doctor may want to put a limit on your daily caffeine intake. Like, 200 milligrams a day.
It has also been suggested that drinking too much herbal tea while pregnant my cause contractions and therefore cause an increase in the risk of miscarriages or pre mature labor.
Because of the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome, miscarriage, and stillbirth, there is no tolerance for drinking alcohol while you are pregnant.
Remember, that it is important to know what kinds of foods to avoid while being pregnant. It is just as important as knowing what kinds of that are good for you.
