During pregnancy, we must make some changes and adjustments in our routine and lifestyle, because now our body has different needs that we must take care of and take into account so that everything works correctly.
One of these changes is in the diet, since there are certain foods that are more likely to contain harmful microorganisms that cross the placental barrier and that can affect the baby that are not recommended at this stage. We share 18 foods that are prohibited during pregnancy and can harm your baby .
Prohibited foods during pregnancy
1. Raw milk
These bacteria can be found in raw milk, as well as in derived products. Remember that boiling raw milk is not enough , the only way to ensure that it is safe is to buy pasteurized milk .
Like raw milk, unpasteurized dairy could contain listeria, so we must make sure that all dairy products specify on their labeling that they have been pasteurized or made with pasteurized milk .
Pregnant women are at serious risk for listeriosis caused by the bacteria Listeria , a bacteria commonly found in protein-rich foods served raw or without reheating that can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, infection, or death of the newborn.
Unpasteurized dairy products include those derived from milk such as yogurts, creams, ice cream or frozen yogurt, and soft cheeses.
3. Unpasteurized soft cheeses
Es importante que lleven el sello de que están fabricados con leche pasteurizada y no comprarlos en mercados donde dudemos de la refrigeración que han tenido y del envasado.
4. Queso roquefort
The cheeses that are safe to consume in pregnancy are hard cheeses , such as cheddar, extra-hard cheeses , such as Parmesan , and semi-soft cheeses , such as mozzarella . Pasteurized sliced cheese, spreadable cheese like cream cheese, and cottage cheese are also considered safe to consume.
5. Raw or smoked fish
Therefore, the consumption of raw and / or smoked fish and shellfish or that are not well cooked should be avoided to avoid the risk of listeria or anisakis , a worm-shaped parasite that lives in the digestive tract of fish, cephalopods and mammals. marine.
Some examples of this are sushi (with raw fish that is not properly frozen to -20 degrees properly), smoked salmon, fish carpaccio, fish tartare or fish ceviche .
6. Raw seafood
It is also not recommended to eat the heads of shrimp because they contain a high content of cadmium, a metal capable of causing kidney dysfunction.
7. Bluefin tuna and other large fish
The Spanish Agency for Consumption, Food Safety and Consumption (Aecosan) recommends pregnant women or those who may become pregnant, women who are breastfeeding and young children (between 1 and 30 months old, avoid consuming these fish.
To continue consuming fish and obtain all the benefits that it can provide during pregnancy, we can choose safe and low-mercury options such as: salmon, shrimp, cod, sardines, anchovies, trout, tilapia and canned tuna.
8. Raw or undercooked meats
Some of the damages it can cause are: premature labor, low birth weight, fever, jaundice, abnormalities in the retina, delayed mental development, seizures, abnormal size of the head and calcifications in the brain.
Eating raw meats that are not well done should be avoided , including raw beef, raw chicken meat, raw pork or meat from any other animal that is not well cooked or is directly consumed raw, such as in carpaccios .
9. Uncured or unfrozen ham
10. Sausages
According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , the only safe way to consume them is by checking that they are reheated and very hot .
11. Raw or undercooked eggs
It is important to mention that it is not only the raw egg itself, but also foods that take it in its preparation and are not cooked later should be avoided . So this section includes homemade mayonnaise , hollandaise sauce or any sauce or dessert prepared with raw egg such as mousses , tiramisu ( can be made without eggs ), meringues .
12. Patés or foie
On the other hand, it is important to limit the consumption of pates that contain liver (even if their labeling indicates that they have been pasteurized), as they are high in vitamin A, which in excess could be harmful to the health of the baby .
13. Unwashed vegetables
This includes washing them well to avoid possible contamination by toxoplasmosis , since this could be present in the soil where they are grown. Avoid contact with raw meats and clean kitchen utensils well after use.
14. Raw sprouts
This group of raw sprouts and sprouts includes alfalfa , radish, soybeans, or clover .
A safer way to consume them is by cooking them to eliminate possible bacteria that may be present.
15. Packaged sandwiches
16. Brown algae
17. Coffee (more than one large cup a day)
This equates to more than a large cup or two small a day, although a recent study indicates that even in amounts that are considered safe, caffeine could affect a baby’s birth weight. Remember that we also find caffeine in chocolate and in some soft drinks.
18. Alcohol
General recommendations for a safe diet during pregnancy
In addition to avoiding these foods that are considered prohibited and not recommended during pregnancy, we must always take certain precautions to eat a safe diet during pregnancy . To do this, we share some tips:
- Wash your hands well before and after handling any food.
- Properly clean kitchen utensils after use.
- Wash fruits and vegetables well to remove traces of dirt and pesticides, as well as possible bacteria or parasites that cause diseases.
- Cook food at a temperature of more than 75ºC to kill all kinds of microorganisms that transmit diseases. Never serve semi-cooked, “juicy” or raw meats.
- Avoid contact of raw food with cooked food .
- Consume food after cooking. Do not leave them at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Keep perishable foods in the refrigerator.
- Thaw meat completely before cooking.
- If we consume reheated food, make sure that it has reached high temperatures (more than 75ºC).
- Do not consume food after its expiration date.
With these tips and avoiding foods that are forbidden during pregnancy , you can avoid the appearance of food illnesses that harm you and your baby.