What Not to Eat during Pregnancy


Here is a list of foods to avoid during your pregnancy?no matter how much you may crave them!

shark

swordfish

king mackerel

tilefish

albacore tuna


Fish are low in fat and high in protein and essential Omega-3 fatty acids, which makes most fish an excellent nutritional choice during pregnancy. But the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns pregnant women to avoid fish that have high methylmercury levels. Methylmercury is a chemical byproduct of industry that finds its way into lakes and oceans?and into some of the fish we eat.

 

Shrimp

canned light tuna

salmon

pollock

catfish

 

all have lower mercury levels and are considered safer to eat, but the EPA recommends that pregnant women limit their consumption of these fish to 12 ounces (two average meals) or less per week (canned albacore, or "white" tuna, which has more mercury than light tuna, should be limited to six ounces per week).

 

Raw or undercooked fish or meats
Sorry, no sushi! Raw meat, chicken, and fish can be contaminated by salmonella and other disease-carrying bacteria. To a healthy adult, these bacteria can cause mild but uncomfortable symptoms such as vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. But to your baby, they can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery.

To avoid bacteria contamination, store all meats and fish in the refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook meats until an internal thermometer reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit (145 degrees Fahrenheit for steaks, veal, roasts, and lamb). When ordering out at a restaurant, ask for your hamburger or steak well-done. (Don't be afraid to send it back if it's still pink inside.)

When cooking eggs, break the yolks and heat them until they are firm. Also watch out for foods that contain raw eggs, such as Caesar dressing or Hollandaise sauce.

Deli meats
Hold off on the roast beef and turkey sandwiches while you're pregnant. BabyZone expert, Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo, MD, points out that deli meats are at danger of carrying Listeria-causing bacteria, which can cause a potentially deadly infection that can cross to the placenta and sicken your baby. If you're craving a deli sandwich, heat the meat until it is steaming before you eat it.

Soft cheeses and unpasteurized milk and juices
Today, most milk products are pasteurized?heated up to a temperature that kills bacteria?before they are shipped to your local supermarket. But some milk and juice products, as well as soft cheeses such as brie, feta, gorgonzola, Camembert, and Roquefort, are unpasteurized. The bacteria in these food and drinks can also cause Listeria. Read labels carefully and ask about the pasteurization status of the foods you order in restaurants.

Unwashed fruits and vegetables, salad bars, and raw vegetable sprouts
Washing fruits and vegetables before eating them is always a good idea, but it's especially important during pregnancy.

Caffeine
According to a Danish study appearing in the November 2005 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, "Pregnant women who drink eight or more cups of coffee a day may be at a higher risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, or fetal deaths." Granted, medical opinion is still mixed on the subject of caffeine, with some experts (including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) reporting that there is no harm in drinking a very small amount (less than two cups) of coffee or other caffeinated beverages per day during pregnancy. As is the case with many things in life, moderation is key. To be on the safe side, you're better off sticking to decaf.

Alcohol
Alcohol is one beverage to avoid altogether while you're pregnant. Remember that every time you drink a beer or a glass of wine, your baby does, too?it passes right into the placenta. Significant prenatal exposure to alcohol can lead to a condition known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which can impair your baby's growth and development, and can cause permanent brain damage.

Herbal teas and remedies
Herbs are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not usually rigorously tested like prescription and over-the-counter medications. Certain herbs (such as mugwort, pennyroyal, and goldenseal), have been associated with the onset of uterine contractions. Even drinking herbal teas is a bad idea, because doctors don't know what effects they might have on an unborn child. For these reasons, stick to regular decaffeinated tea until after you deliver and consult your doctor before taking any herbal remedy.

Everything else in moderation
During your pregnancy, you're eating for two?but that doesn't mean you need double the amount of calories and fat in your diet. According to the University of Chicago Primary Care Group, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for a pregnant woman calls for just 300 extra calories per day (the equivalent of a glass of orange juice and a bagel or a grilled chicken sandwich). Excess weight gain can not only make you feel more tired and achy during your pregnancy, but studies have found that women who put on more than the recommended weight are at higher risk of being obese later in life?especially if they fail to take off the weight after childbirth.

You don't have to deprive yourself of the foods you love during pregnancy. You can eat what you enjoy, provided that you take a few simple precautions for your health and for the health of your baby.


 

other things to avoid : http://www.babyzone.com/loadpage/slideshow.asp?u=y&showurlname=pregnancy_no_nos&pg=1&notran=1