Motherhood – and parenthood in general – is full of sacrifices, right? And that first sacrifice begins with your diet and lifestyle. Obviously, alcohol, smoking and drug use are huge no-nos, but when it comes to food, it can be confusing for first-time mothers to know what to eat and what not to eat. Not to worry, we’ve compiled a list of foods that all pregnant women should avoid. Read on to find out what they are!
This includes sushi, raw shellfish (oysters, lobster, crab, etc.), rare meat, raw cookie dough and cake batter, and unpasteurized eggs. During your pregnancy, it’s especially important to cook all meat and poultry thoroughly to the point where there’s not a single trace of pink or blood.
2. Deli meats
Sure, deli meats – hot dogs, bologna, salami, roast beef, turkey, ham, etc. – are inexpensive and convenient for packing lunches. But, they’ve also been known to be contaminated with a bacteria called listeria, which may result in a miscarriage, still birth or other serious health issues.
3. Unpasteurized dairy products
Softer cheeses, including feta, brie, blue cheese and gorgonzola aren’t safe to eat during pregnancy because they’re made from unpasteurized (raw) milk. Unpasteurized dairy products can carry listeria, which again, can be extremely dangerous for unborn babies. Pregnant women should also avoid unpasteurized juices and apple cider.
4. Caffeine
Limit your caffeine intake to no more than 150 mg per day. The reason being that caffeine is a natural stimulant that increases your blood pressure and heart rate – two big no-nos for pregnant women. Also, too much caffeine is believed to cause birth defects, premature labor, infertility, low birth weight and miscarriages. Aside from coffee, caffeine can be found in sodas, teas, energy drinks and chocolate.
8 Foods To Avoid When You’re Pregnant was originally published on blackdoctor.org
