Eating well balanced meals is not only important at all time but also vital when you are pregnant. What the mom eats and how she have impact to the baby’s development. Most foods are safe, however, there are some that you should avoid during pregnancy. Keep this checklist handy to help ensure that you and your unborn baby stay healthy and safe Eating well while pregnancy
Raw foods : The majority of foodborne illness is caused by raw or undercooked foods, also raw unwashed vegetables.
Raw meat can infect you with salmonella or toxoplasmosis. Foods to avoid include: sushi, rare meats.
Raw egg gives high risk of Salmonella. Foods to avoid include: cake batter, raw cookie dough, homemade ice cream, custards, mayo, egg nog or Hollandaise sauce.
Raw Shellfish includes oysters, clams, and mussels
Unpasteurized foods
Many low-fat dairy products — such as skim milk, mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese — can be a healthy part of your diet. Anything containing unpasteurized milk, however, is a no-no. These products could lead to foodborne illness.
Unless these soft cheeses are clearly labeled as being pasteurized or made with pasteurized milk, don’t eat:Brie, Feta, Camembert, Blue cheese, Mexican-style cheeses, such as queso blanco, queso fresco and panela
Fish with Mercury
Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. A sample of these types of fish include: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Canned, chunk light tuna generally has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but still should only be eaten in moderation. Certain types of fish used in sushi should also be avoided due to high levels of mercury. Please see Mercury in Fish for specific types of fish and further information on how to calculate mercury levels.
Smoked Seafood
Refrigerated, smoked seafood often labeled as lox, nova style, kippered, or jerky should be avoided because it could be contaminated with Listeria. (These are safe to eat when they are in an ingredient in a meal that has been cooked, like a casserole.) This type of fish is often found in the deli section of your grocery store. Canned or shelf-safe smoked seafood is usually OK to eat.
Alcohol
You should avoid drinking alcohol if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Too much exposure to alcohol can seriously affect your baby’s development.
Caffeine
You should limit caffeine during pregnancy – don’t have more than 200mg of caffeine a day. High levels of caffeine can cause babies to have a low birth weight. Too much caffeine can also cause a miscarriage. Caffeine is found naturally in some foods and is added to some soft drinks.