Advertisement
Being pregnant

Pregnancy: What foods to avoid

While some off-limit foods when pregnant are obvious, you may be surprised by some of these no-nos.

By Today's Parent
Photo: iStockphoto Photo: iStockphoto

You already know that alcohol, drugs and cigarettes are officially off-limits, but did you know that during pregnancy your immune system is suppressed, leaving you more susceptible to food-borne bacteria and viruses? It’s important to avoid certain foods that carry a higher risk of harming your developing baby (some bacteria and parasites have potentially life-threatening consequences for the fetus).

Here's what to avoid:

  • raw eggs and poultry
  • cold deli meats
  • unpasteurized soft or blue cheeses – like Stilton, Roquefort, brie, Camembert, soft goat or sheep cheese
  • raw shellfish and sushi fish that’s high in mercury – tuna, shark, swordfish, king mackerel, orange roughy, tilefish and marlin
  • pâté and liver
  • caffeine (limit your intake, whether in coffee, pop, black and green tea, yerba maté, guarana in energy drinks, and chocolate)

 A version of this article appeared in our Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Today's Parent Pregnancy with the headline "Nutrition," pp. 10.

This article was originally published on Nov 14, 2013

Weekly Newsletter

Keep up with your baby's development, get the latest parenting content and receive special offers from our partners

I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time.

Advertisement
Advertisement