What Not to Eat During Pregnancy
There is a long list of foods that women should eat during their pregnancy. Luckily, there is a relatively short list of foods that should be avoided. The foods listed should not be eaten during pregnancy or should only be eaten when properly cooked.
Deli Meat
It is important for pregnant women to avoid deli meat because it may be improperly handled at some point before or even after it reaches the grocery store and become infected with listeria, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Soft Cheese
Soft cheese, such as brie, may not be pasteurized. Since soft cheese is not aged cheese (this process kills bacteria), they may also contain listeria.
Caffeine
Caffeine is present in coffee, some tea, soft drinks and even chocolate. Caffeine has been proven to increase the rate of miscarriage in women during the first trimester.
Meat
All meats must be cooked to medium or higher heat to kill any bacteria that may be breeding on the meat. Cooking meat to higher temperatures will kill off that bacteria.
Fish
Fish that contain mercury should be banned from a pregnant woman's diet. Some of the most common include shark, swordfish, albacore tuna, king mackerel and tilefish. It is acceptable to eat light albacore canned tuna as long as it is limited to no more than twice a week.
Eggs
Eggs only need to be avoided if they are uncooked or undercooked because they may pick up salmonella. This means buying eggs that are refrigerated and thoroughly cooking them before eating.
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