by Shahd Abouelenen
Pregnancy is a time for careful eating. Here are key foods you should avoid to protect both you and your baby.
Avoid raw or undercooked meats, including steak tartare and rare burgers, as they may contain harmful bacteria like Listeria or Toxoplasma that can harm your baby.
Unless reheated until steaming, deli meats and hot dogs may carry Listeria. This bacteria increases the risk of miscarriage or serious infection in newborns.
Raw or undercooked eggs (in homemade mayo, cookie dough, hollandaise sauce) can carry salmonella. Always choose pasteurized or fully cooked egg products instead.
Avoid high-mercury fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Mercury can affect your baby’s developing brain and nervous system. Opt for low-mercury fish.
Stay away from unpasteurized milk or cheese. They can contain bacteria like Listeria, putting you and your baby at risk.
Limit caffeine intake to 200 mg per day (about one cup of coffee). High levels of caffeine may increase the risk of miscarriage or low birth weight.
No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Drinking can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, affecting your baby’s development and long-term health.