by Gabrielle Hildebrandt

Created on: August 29, 2011   Last Updated: August 30, 2011

It is very important for a pregnant woman to monitor the food she eats.  Everything she eats, she shares with her baby.  There are certain foods that are considered risky and should be avoided during pregnancy.

* Seafood high in mercury

There are some types of seafood that have high amounts of mercury and should be avoided completely.  This includes:

Swordfish Shark King mackerel Tilefish Fresh tuna Mahi-mahi Grouper Amberjack

In general, seafood should be limited to no more than 12 ozs a week.  Everything that comes from the ocean will have some amount of mercury.  The following is a list of safe fish:

Salmon Sea bass Sole Flounder Haddock Halibut Ocean perch Pollack Cod Trout

* Raw and undercooked meat

Meats that are raw or undercooked can be infected by bacteria or viruses that are killed when cooked.  Any kind of meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, or eggs should be cooked thoroughly.  The rare steaks and sushi should be avoided.  Even though most types of sushi are, in fact cooked, the fish is only lightly smoked or steamed.  Food poisoning rarely directly affects baby, but pregnant mom’s immune system is in no fit condition to battle food-borne illness.

To make sure your seafood is completely cooked, fish should reach an internal temperature of 145ºF with a flaky texture.  Cook shrimp, lobster, and scallops until they are milky white.  Cook oysters, clams, and mussels until their shell opens.

* Deli meat

Deli meat can be contaminated with listeria, which can cause miscarriages.  If you really want to eat deli meat, make sure you cook or reheat it until starts steaming.  Refrigerated meat spreads should also be avoided due to possible contamination.  Meat spreads that are canned, or shelf-save are safe to eat.

* Unpasteurized foods

Unpasteurized milk can also be contaminated with listeria.  Never drink unpasteurized milk or eat cheese that has been made with unpasteurized milk.  Many of the imported soft cheeses are not safe for pregnant women.  Unless the packaging specifically states that it was made with pasteurized milk, it is best to avoid these cheeses:

Brie Feta Camembert Blue cheese Roquefort Gorgonzola Mexican-style cheese, such as queso blanco, queso fresco, and panela

* Caffeine

Some studies show that moderate amounts of caffeine are safe, but other studies disagree.  Caffeine in large amounts may cause miscarriage.  Caffeine increases blood pressure, causes dehydration, and calcium loss.  It is best to avoid caffeine completely during the first trimester.  If you choose to add caffeine back into your diet later, it is best to limit yourself to less than 200 mg per day.  This is the equivalent of one 12 oz cup of coffee.

* Unwashed vegetables

During pregnancy, it is important to eat lots of vegetables, but it is necessary to wash them first.  Unwashed vegetables can be infected with toxoplasmosis.  The vegetables can pick toxoplasmosis up if it infects the soil where they were grown.

It may seem a little intimidating to read all the restrictions, but very soon, it will become second nature to watch what you eat.  The most important thing is to make sure your baby grows safe and healthy.  If you want to learn more about what to eat during pregnancy, you can go to www.americanpregnancy.org or www.foodsafety.gov.

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