7 Worst Foods for Pregnancy

Posted on Feb 21, 2013 | Articles Category | | Print This Article

If you’ve been fighting morning sickness, you know that there are just some foods that are going to set you off. You’re going to avoid spicy foods, fatty foods and probably foods with strong smells.

There’s more to worry about in terms of your diet than morning sickness, however. There are a number of foods that can cause problems with your pregnancy. Knowing what foods to avoid will help your pregnancy be healthy and happy (apart from the morning sickness, aches, pains and constant need to pee, of course!):

1. Raw meat. This includes fish, seafood, beef and poultry. All sorts of nasties can inhabit raw meat, including coliform bacteria, salmonella and toxoplasmosis. All of them are bad for you, especially during pregnancy.
2. Some fish. Some fish tend to have high levels of merury, and you want to watch out for these. Shark, tilefish, tuna and swordfish are all culprits. Check with your state department of natural resources as to the mercury levels for fish caught in your local lakes and streams.
3. Farmed salmon. Some farm salmon contains PCBs which some studies show may be linked with ADHD, low IQ and memory loss. Go for wild salmon, either canned or fresh.
4. Liver. You can have a moderate amount of liver, just don’t overdo it. Too much of the Vitamin A in liver could cause potential birth defects.
5. Soft cheeses. That means no blue cheese, feta, Camembert or Brie. These often contain harmful bacteria.
6. Artificial sweeteners. There is some controversy surrounding artificial sweeteners during pregnancy. The FDA says they’re safe for consumption, and most studies show that they aren’t going to cause problems with your baby. They can, however, cause headaches, dizziness, seizures and muscle spasms, all of which can be dangerous for you during pregnancy.
7. Raw sprouts. Some raw sprouts can contain salmonella, so make sure any sprouts you consume are cooked thoroughly.

Talk with your doctor or nutritionist about other foods that you should avoid while pregnant, as well as about what kinds of foods are best for you and your baby.

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