Foods to Avoid during Pregnancy
Wellness & Nutrition • Health in Pregnancy
Foods to Avoid during Pregnancy:
| Type of Food | Examples | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Meat |
|
Risk of contamination with bacteria, toxoplasmosis and salmonella. |
| Deli Meat | Including hot dogs | Risk of contamination with Listeria – which can lead to miscarriage. |
| Fish (Mercury) | Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, Tilefish | High levels of mercury which may cause developmental delay and/or brain damage in the fetus. |
| Fish (Pollutants) | Bluefish, Striped bass, Salmon, Pike, Trout, Walleye | If obtained from contaminated lakes/rivers that may be exposed to high levels of pollutants. |
| Raw Shellfish | Oysters, Clams, Mussels | |
| Raw Eggs | Homemade Caesar dressing, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards, Hollandaise sauces, raw cookie dough | Possible exposure to salmonella. |
| Soft Cheeses | Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Feta, Gorgonzola, Blue cheese, Mexican-style cheeses (queso blanco, queso fresco) | May contain bacteria (Listeria) |
| Caffeine |
|
May prevent absorption of folic acid and iron. |