13 Foods Pregnant Women Should Avoid

Every expectant mom knows there apreterm labor and other pregnancy

complications.e certain foods
that should be avoided during pregnancy to protect
the health of their unborn baby. The list may always
be controversial, but you can always speak to your
doctor.
Pregnant women should avoid:

1. Liver and liver products: These foods are very
high in vitamin A, and too much vitamin A can harm
the unborn child.
Pregnant women should also avoid supplements
containing vitamin A, including fish liver oils, except
if you are advised to take these by your doctor.

2. Raw or undercooked Meat: Uncooked seafood
and raw or undercooked beef or poultry should be
avoided in pregnancy because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis,
and salmonella.

3. Unpasteurized Dairy Foods: These are best
avoided in pregnancy. These foods are prone to
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that causes
listeriosis, which may result in miscarriage, stillbirth,
or other serious health problems.

4. Processed meats like Hot Dog: Many processed
meats contain listeria. Listeria has the ability to
cross the placenta and may infect the baby leading
to infection or blood poisoning, which can be life-
threatening. Make sure that any milk you drink is
pasteurized.

5. Unwashed Vegetables: Vegetables are safe to eat,
however, it is essential to make sure they are
washed to avoid potential exposure to
toxoplasmosis, which can be very dangerous to
your baby. Don’t use soap to wash produce.
Instead, scrub the surface with a small vegetable
brush. Cut away any bruised areas, because these
may harbor bacteria.

6. Raw Eggs: Avoid raw or undercooked eggs and
any foods that contain them, such as homemade
mayonnaise.
Make sure that eggs are thoroughly cooked until the
whites and yolks are solid. This prevents the risk of
salmonella food poisoning. A strain of salmonella,
called S. typhi causes typhoid fever.

7. Cheese: Cheeses like this are made with mould
and can contain listeria bacteria that cause listeriosis. Although an infection with listeria is rare,
even a mild form of this infection in a pregnant
woman can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or severe
illness in a newborn baby.

8. Certain Seafood and Fish: Large fishes such as
swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel have
very high concentrations of mercury, compared to
other fish. Mercury is a by-product of coal-burning
plants that interferes with the normal development
of a growing child's brain and nervous system.
Fishes such as Tilapia, Crabs, Croaker and Shrimps
have lowest mercury levels and are safe for
consumption.

9. Herbal Teas and Supplements: Herbal teas are
caffeine-free, but their safety is unclear when you’re
pregnant. So it’s better to avoid them. Many
supplements such as St John’s worth and gingko
biloba

10. Caffeine: Although most studies show that
caffeine intake in moderation might be okay, there
are others that show that caffeine intake may be
related to miscarriages. Avoid caffeine during the
first trimester to reduce the likelihood of a
miscarriage.

11. Beware Fresh Juice: Fresh-squeezed juice in
restaurants, juice bars, or farm stands may not be
pasteurized to protect against harmful bacteria,
including salmonella and E. coli. Some markets also
sell raw, unpasteurized juice in the refrigerated case
-- look for the required warning label, and steer
clear. Pregnant women should opt for juice that is
pasteurized. Juice in boxes and bottles on your
supermarket shelf is also safe.

12. Alcohol: You already know that heavy drinking
during pregnancy can lead to serious birth defects.
What you may not know is that even small amounts
of alcohol could be harmful. No amount of drinking
has been found to be safe during pregnancy, so it's
best to avoid all forms of alcohol.

13. Avoid tobacco smoke: Smoking is extremely
harmful to your unborn baby (as well as to yourself)
and must be completely avoided. In fact, it’s so
harmful, that pregnant women should even avoid
other people’s smoke.
When you smoke, your baby gets less oxygen,
which can cause your baby to grow more slowly
and gain less weight. Tobacco smoke has also been linked to preterm labor and other pregnancy complications.