For Mother To Be...

 

 

Ban these foods from your diet to avoid health risks for you and your baby during pregnancy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fish with mercury

Avoiding fish that contain high levels of mercury (such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish). Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vitamin A supplements

Vitamin A supplements can contain retinol which can harm your unborn baby and cause fetal abnormalities in large amounts. Do not take these supplements unless directed otherwise by your doctor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw or undercooked meat

Meat can potentially contain the toxoplasmosis parasite, which if contracted in the first trimester can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or other complications. Thoroughly cooking your meat will destroy any parasite that may be present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw or undercooked eggs

Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs (such as homemade mayonnaise or custards) should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella bacteria. Salmonella poisoning can cross the placenta and cause serious infection or even death of the unborn baby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unpasteurized milk

Make sure that any milk you drink is pasteurized. Unpasteurized milk may contain listeria bacteria, which could cause listeriosis -- pregnant women are almost 20 times more likely to develop listeriosis because of their slightly weakened immune system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soft cheeses

Avoid soft, mould-ripened cheeses such as brie, camembert and chevre and soft, blue-veined cheeses such as Danish blue and roquefort. These cheeses may contain listeria bacteria, which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which can be life-threatening.

 

 

 

 

 

Deli meat

Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria, which can cause miscarriage. Before eating, ensure you reheat the meat until it is steaming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alcohol

Experts are still uncertain about how much alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy, so the advice is to avoid it. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can lead to developmental disorders including fetal alcohol syndrome.

 

 

 

 

 

Caffeine

While most studies show that caffeine consumption is okay in moderation, others suggest a link between caffeine intake and miscarriage and low birth weight. To be on the safe side, avoiding caffeine during the first trimester to reduce the likelihood of a miscarriage. As a general rule, no more than 200mg caffeine per day is recommended during pregnancy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unwashed fruits and vegetables

Raw fruits and veggies are safe, but it is essential to wash them thoroughly to avoid potential exposure to toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis may contaminate the soil where the vegetables were grown.