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You want the best for your baby. That's why you might add sliced fruit to your fortified breakfast cereal, top your salads with chickpeas, or eat nuts. But do you know what foods to avoid during pregnancy? Here's some basic information regarding eating when pregnant.
Seafood can be an excellent source of protein. Many fish include omega-3 fatty acids, which can benefit your baby's brain and eye development. However, some fish and shellfish have amounts of mercury that may be dangerous. Too much mercury may harm your baby's developing nervous system.
The larger and older the fish, the more mercury it is likely to have. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against eating the following while pregnant:
Bigeye tuna.
King mackerel.
Marlin.
Orange roughy.
Swordfish.
Shark.
Tilefish.
So, what is considered safe? Some varieties of seafood contain low mercury. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that pregnant women eat 8 to 12 ounces (224 to 336 grams) of seafood per week. That's two to three servings. Here are a few choices:
Anchovies.
Black sea bass.
Catfish.
Cod.
Freshwater trout.
Herring.
Light canned tuna.
Oysters.
Pollock.
Salmon.
Sardines.
Shad.
Shrimp.
Sole.
Tilapia.
Whitefish.
To prevent hazardous germs and viruses in seafood:
Don't eat raw fish and shellfish. Avoid raw or undercooked meals such as sushi, sashimi, ceviche, and raw oysters, scallops, or clams.
Don't eat uncooked seafood that's refrigerated. Examples include nova-style seafood, lox, kippered, smoked, or jerky. Smoked seafood is safe to consume if it is cooked in a casserole or another dish. Both canned and shelf-stable varieties are safe.
Watch for local fish advisories. If you consume fish from local waters, read the fish advisories to learn how often you can safely eat them. Make careful to do this whenever there is a worry about water pollution. If you are unsure about the safety of the fish you have already had, avoid eating any additional fish that week.
Cook seafood well.Cook fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius). Fish is done when it flakes with a fork and appears milky white all over. Cook the shrimp, lobster, and scallops until milky white. Cook the clams, mussels, and oysters until the shells open. Throw out any that do not open.
During pregnancy, you are more likely to get food poisoning from germs. This is known as foodborne sickness. When you're pregnant, your body's reaction to food sickness may be harsher than it would be otherwise. Food poisoning, while uncommon, can also impact the newborn.
To prevent foodborne illness:
Fully cook all meats and poultry before eating. Use a meat thermometer to be sure.
Cook hot dogs and lunch meats until they're steaming hot. Alternatively, avoid eating them altogether. They can cause an uncommon yet deadly foodborne sickness called listeria infection.
Don't eat pates and meat spreads that are stored in a refrigerator. Canned and shelf-stable versions are acceptable.
Cook eggs until the egg yolks and whites are firm. Raw eggs can contain dangerous germs. Avoid eating meals that may contain raw or partially cooked eggs. Examples include homemade eggnog, raw batter and dough, tiramisu, freshly prepared or homemade hollandaise sauce, homemade Caesar salad dressing, and homemade ice cream.
Don't eat ready-made meat salads or seafood salads. These include ham, tuna, and chicken salads.
Many low-fat dairy products can be a healthy addition to your diet. These include skim milk, mozzarella, and cottage cheese. However, avoid eating or drinking anything containing milk that has not been pasteurized. Products containing unpasteurized milk may cause foodborne disease.
Avoid soft cheeses like brie, feta, and blue cheese unless the label specifies they've been pasteurized or prepared with pasteurized milk. Avoid drinking unpasteurized juice or cider.
To remove hazardous bacteria, thoroughly wash all raw fruits and vegetables. Avoid eating raw sprouts such as alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean. They might contain dangerous microorganisms. Make sure to properly cook the sprouts.
Caffeine can transfer to the baby, but the effects are unknown. To be safe, your healthcare provider may advise you not to consume caffeine while pregnant. Alternatively, you may be advised to consume no more than 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine each day.
An 8-ounce (240 mL) cup of brewed coffee has around 95 mg of caffeine. An 8-ounce (240 mL) cup of brewed tea has around 47 mg. A 12-ounce (360-mL) cola with caffeine has around 33 mg.
There is little known about how particular herbs affect fetuses. As a result, avoid drinking herbal tea unless your doctor approves. This contains pregnancy-friendly herbal teas.
Little amount of alcohol is very dangerous during pregnancy. To be safe, avoid drinking alcohol.
Consider the hazards. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the chance of miscarriage and stillbirth. Drinking alcohol may also cause fetal alcohol syndrome. The condition can produce facial abnormalities and reduced IQ.
If you're concerned about the alcohol you drank before you found out you were pregnant, or if you believe you need help quitting drinking, consult your doctor.
At Dr Elsa de Menezes Best OB/GYN, we provide comprehensive obstetrical treatment, which includes advice on optimal pregnancy diet. Our board-certified physicians specialize in prenatal care and offer support and clinical care during labour, delivery, and postpartum care. They excel at making the childbirth experience as safe and comfortable as possible for high-risk pregnancies.
In addition, we provide 24-hour coverage for our emergency room and labour and delivery unit, which are outfitted with specially qualified neonatologists and Level III (the highest level) neonatal critical care.
For further information on our excellent obstetrical services, please call +971 4 554 7273. Use our easy-to-use online Request an Appointment form to set up a consultation with one of our empathetic physicians.
