Common Foods to Avoid When Pregnant
Seafood High in Mercury
Seafood can be a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acid promoting brain and eye development for your baby. However, some fish and shellfish contain potentially dangerous levels of mercury. Too much mercury can harm a baby’s developing nervous system.
The bigger and older the fish, the more mercury it’s likely to contain.
Avoiding the following fish is recommended:
● Bigeye Tuna ● Shark
● Marlin ● Swordfish
● Orange Roughy
Fish considered safe include:
● Anchovies ● Sardines
● Catfish ● Salmon
● Cod ● Shrimp
● Light canned tuna ● Tilapia
● Pollock ● Trout
Avoid all raw, undercooked or contaminated seafood.
Avoid Undercooked Meat, Poultry, and Eggs
During pregnancy, you’re at an increased risk of bacterial food poisoning. Your reaction might be more severe
than if you weren’t pregnant.
● Fully cook all meat and poultry before eating. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the meat has reached
an optimal temperature.
● Cook hot dogs and other processed meat until steaming hot or avoid completely.
● Luncheon meat should also be cooked or avoided. Both can contain listeria.
● Avoid pâtés and meat spreads that are refrigerated. Canned products are safe to eat.
● Cook eggs until yolks and whites are firm. Avoid foods that are made with raw or partially cooked eggs.
Examples may include eggnog, raw batter, hollandaise sauce, and Caesar salad dressing.
Avoid Unpasteurized Foods
Many low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk, low fat cheese and low-fat yogurt can be a healthy and important
part of your diet. Anything containing unpasteurized milk should not be consumed.
Avoid soft cheeses such as brie, feta and blue cheese unless they are labeled as pasteurized or made from
pasteurized milk.
Avoid Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
Wash all raw fruits and vegetables including alfalfa, sprouts and beans as these can contain bacteria. Be sure
to wash thoroughly.
Avoid Excess Caffeine
It is unclear how much caffeine is safe during pregnancy. Limiting the consumption of caffeine to less than
200 mg of caffeine a day in pregnancy is recommended. A 8 oz cup of brewed coffee contains about 95 mg of
caffeine, a 8 oz cup of tea about 47 mg and a 12 caffeinated cola contains about 33 mg.
Avoid Alcohol
No level of alcohol has been proven safe during pregnancy. It is advised to avoid all alcohol during pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to an increase in miscarriage and stillbirth. It can also result in fetal
alcohol syndrome causing facial deformities and intellectual delays.
Seafood High in Mercury
Seafood can be a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acid promoting brain and eye development for your baby. However, some fish and shellfish contain potentially dangerous levels of mercury. Too much mercury can harm a baby’s developing nervous system.
The bigger and older the fish, the more mercury it’s likely to contain.
Avoiding the following fish is recommended:
● Bigeye Tuna ● Shark
● Marlin ● Swordfish
● Orange Roughy
Fish considered safe include:
● Anchovies ● Sardines
● Catfish ● Salmon
● Cod ● Shrimp
● Light canned tuna ● Tilapia
● Pollock ● Trout
Avoid all raw, undercooked or contaminated seafood.
Avoid Undercooked Meat, Poultry, and Eggs
During pregnancy, you’re at an increased risk of bacterial food poisoning. Your reaction might be more severe
than if you weren’t pregnant.
● Fully cook all meat and poultry before eating. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the meat has reached
an optimal temperature.
● Cook hot dogs and other processed meat until steaming hot or avoid completely.
● Luncheon meat should also be cooked or avoided. Both can contain listeria.
● Avoid pâtés and meat spreads that are refrigerated. Canned products are safe to eat.
● Cook eggs until yolks and whites are firm. Avoid foods that are made with raw or partially cooked eggs.
Examples may include eggnog, raw batter, hollandaise sauce, and Caesar salad dressing.
Avoid Unpasteurized Foods
Many low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk, low fat cheese and low-fat yogurt can be a healthy and important
part of your diet. Anything containing unpasteurized milk should not be consumed.
Avoid soft cheeses such as brie, feta and blue cheese unless they are labeled as pasteurized or made from
pasteurized milk.
Avoid Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
Wash all raw fruits and vegetables including alfalfa, sprouts and beans as these can contain bacteria. Be sure
to wash thoroughly.
Avoid Excess Caffeine
It is unclear how much caffeine is safe during pregnancy. Limiting the consumption of caffeine to less than
200 mg of caffeine a day in pregnancy is recommended. A 8 oz cup of brewed coffee contains about 95 mg of
caffeine, a 8 oz cup of tea about 47 mg and a 12 caffeinated cola contains about 33 mg.
Avoid Alcohol
No level of alcohol has been proven safe during pregnancy. It is advised to avoid all alcohol during pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to an increase in miscarriage and stillbirth. It can also result in fetal
alcohol syndrome causing facial deformities and intellectual delays.
