{"id":39599,"date":"2023-05-09T07:31:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T07:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/?post_type=generalhealth&p=39599"},"modified":"2026-04-05T08:27:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T08:27:55","slug":"foods-to-avoid-during-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/general-health\/foods-to-avoid-during-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are expecting (or know someone who is) and you are wondering which foods to avoid during pregnancy, this article is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an expectant mother, you will want whatever is best for your unborn baby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And one way to ensure that your baby is safe and getting everything they need is by paying attention to your diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every meal you consume while pregnant may have an impact on your and your baby\u2019s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most food and beverages are safe, there are a few that you should minimize or stay away from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading for a list of 10 foods to avoid during pregnancy, and the reasons why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Read:<\/strong> Foods To Induce Labor: Pineapple, Spicy Food, Dates & More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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10 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are ten foods and beverages that pregnant women are generally recommended to avoid or limit during pregnancy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Raw or undercooked meat and poultry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meat, chicken, and eggs are great sources of protein. However, raw or undercooked animal proteins may contain various harmful bacteria that are dangerous for both you and your growing baby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One common organism found in undercooked and raw animal products is Salmonella. Infection with Salmonella causes fever and chills, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of these could lead to dehydration<\/a> and impact your baby\u2019s growth negatively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On rare occasions, severe Salmonella infection could cause <\/em>low amniotic fluid, preterm delivery, and stillbirth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salmonella can also cross the placenta and directly infect your baby. Babies born when the mother is still sick with Salmonella can rarely develop a blood infection (salmonellosis). They can also get an infection of the coverings of their brain or spinal cord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other harmful organisms you can contact from raw or undercooked animal proteins include E. Coli, Clostridium perfringens, Toxoplasma, and Listeria. Listeria causes even worse problems than Salmonella does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, you may want to consider having your steak well done and skipping eggnog, poached eggs, or homemade mayo until your baby is born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Raw or undercooked seafood<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Seafood is an excellent source of proteins, omega-3 fatty acids<\/a>, vitamins like vitamin A<\/a>, some of the B vitamins, and vitamin D. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are also very rich in minerals like potassium, selenium, manganese, iodine, and calcium, among others. These are all essential nutrients that can help promote a healthy pregnancy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem arises when seafood is consumed raw or when it is not properly cooked. Raw seafood can be harmful to both you and your growing baby because, like raw or undercooked animal products, they can serve as reservoirs for pathogens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pathogens could be viral, parasitic, or bacterial. Examples are astrovirus and norovirus, tapeworms, Vibrio, Salmonella, and Listeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of these infections may have an impact on you, leaving you weak and dehydrated from diarrhea<\/a> and vomiting<\/a> – which is not healthy for your baby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other illnesses caused by raw seafood consumption could be transmitted to your unborn child and have dire, even deadly, effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listeria infections are particularly dangerous for expectant mothers. This is mostly because it can cross the placenta and lead to early delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth, and other major health issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared to the general population, pregnant women have up to a 10-fold increased risk of contracting Listeria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hispanic women who are pregnant are 24 times more in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you are not showing symptoms, listeria germs can still be transferred from you to your baby through the placenta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, it is strongly advised to stay away from raw fish and shellfish, which includes many sushi meals, during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Seafood high in mercury<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mercury is a highly toxic compound that can be found in seafood, particularly big fish. In fishes, mercury is present in its most toxic form – methylmercury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is toxic to the kidneys, nervous system, digestive system, immune system, lungs, and even the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercury exposure during pregnancy can cause brain damage, hearing loss, and vision impairment in infants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, techniques used in food processing, preparation, and cooking don’t considerably lower the mercury content of fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fishes can absorb mercury into their muscles from the water around them, but primarily from the prey they consume. This is why mercury is found in higher concentrations in large fish that prey on smaller fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, large fish are the types of fish to avoid during pregnancy. Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n