So Long, Soft Cheeses
Eating Mexican queso blanco or other soft cheeses during pregnancy can be risky. Those made with unpasteurized milk can harbor
Listeria
bacteria, which has been linked to miscarriage, premature delivery, and
death. It's best to avoid brie, camembert, feta, blue cheese, queso
blanco, queso fresco, and Panela – unless the label says it's
pasteurized. When in doubt or dining out, ask before you eat.
Skip Undercooked Meat
You might like your filet mignon rare, but pregnancy is a time to
order all steaks and burgers well done. Raw or undercooked meat can
harbor
toxoplasma and a variety of bacteria. When dining out,
make sure your meat is steaming hot and thoroughly cooked. At home, the
temperature should reach at least 145° F for whole cuts, 160° F for
ground meats like hamburger, and 165°F for chicken breasts.
Beware Fresh Juice
Fresh-squeezed juice in restaurants, juice bars, or farm stands may
not be pasteurized to protect against harmful bacteria, including
salmonella and E. coli. Some markets also sell raw, unpasteurized juice
in the refrigerated case – look for the required warning label and steer
clear. Pregnant women should opt for juice that is pasteurized. Shelf
stable juice in boxes and bottles is also safe.
Sayonara, Sushi
Sorry, sushi fans, but it's time for a 9-month hiatus from this treat. Although seafood is a great source of protein,
raw
seafood can be a source of harmful parasites and bacteria. The FDA
recommends pregnant women only eat fish and other seafood that has been
cooked thoroughly.
Raw Cookie Dough
When you're baking cookies, you may be tempted to pop a bit of raw
dough in your mouth. But even a taste can be risky if the dough contains
raw eggs. The CDC estimates one in 20,000 eggs is tainted with
salmonella
bacteria. To be safe, resist tasting unbaked cookie dough, batter, or
filling made with raw eggs. The good news is store-bought cookie dough
ice cream is safe.
Homemade Caesar Dressing
Raw eggs are also used in many homemade dressings and sauces, such as:
- Caesar salad dressing
- Béarnaise sauce
- Hollandaise sauce
- Mayonnaise
Pregnant women should opt for store-bought versions, which are made with pasteurized eggs.
Homemade Tiramisu
Many homemade desserts, including mousse, meringue, and tiramisu,
also contain raw eggs. If a store-bought version won't do, there is a
safe way to prepare your favorite recipe. Some supermarkets sell
pasteurized eggs, which are OK to eat raw. Make sure the label on the
eggs specifically states "pasteurized".
Fresh Pre-Stuffed Poultry
A pre-stuffed turkey or chicken offers a short-cut to a
guest-worthy meal. But the juice from fresh, raw poultry can mix with
the stuffing and promote bacterial growth. Cooking protects most people,
but pregnancy makes it harder to fight off infections. A safe
alternative is buying frozen pre-stuffed poultry. Be sure to cook it
directly from frozen – don't let it defrost first. The thigh meat should
hit 180.
Fish With Mercury
Swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and shark contain high levels
of methylmercury. This metal can harm an unborn baby's development.
Pregnant women should choose fish that are low in mercury, such as
catfish, salmon, and canned light tuna. If you prefer albacore (white)
tuna, limit yourself to 6 ounces per week. Check with your doctor before
taking fish oil or any other supplements while pregnant.
Deli Meats
Unlike many other foodborne germs, listeria can grow at the
temperatures inside your fridge. For this reason, pregnant women should
avoid perishable, ready-to-eat meats, such as cold cuts and hot dogs.
You can make these foods safe by heating them until they are steaming
hot and eating them promptly.
Pâtés or Meat Spreads
Pâtés contain perishable meats, so they may harbor
listeria
as well. Keeping your fridge at or below 40° F will slow the growth of
this bacteria, but won't stop it completely. Because pregnant women are
particularly vulnerable to
listeria, it's best to avoid any
type of refrigerated meat spread. Spam lovers can breathe easy. Canned
and shelf-safe meat spreads are OK during pregnancy, if not exactly a
healthy food.
Unwashed Fruits/Veggies
Pregnancy is no time to skimp on fresh fruits and vegetables. Just
be sure to rinse them thoroughly under running water. A parasite called
toxoplasma
can live on unwashed fruits and veggies. It causes an illness called
toxoplasmosis, which can be very dangerous to an unborn baby. Don't use
soap to wash produce. Instead, scrub the surface with a small vegetable
brush. Cut away any bruised areas, since these may harbor bacteria.
Raw Sprouts
Pregnant women should not eat raw sprouts of any kind, including
alfalfa, clover, and radish. Bacteria can get into the seeds before the
sprouts begin to grow, and these germs are nearly impossible to wash
away. At the deli, check sandwiches to make sure they don't contain raw
sprouts. At home, cook sprouts thoroughly to destroy any bacteria.
Smoked Seafood
During pregnancy, it's best to skip the lox when you enjoy your
morning bagel. Like ready-to-eat meats, refrigerated smoked seafood is
vulnerable to listeria. This includes smoked salmon (often labeled nova
or lox), as well as smoked trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, or mackerel. It
is safe to use smoked seafood in a cooked meal, such as a casserole.
Raw Shellfish
Raw shellfish is one of the top causes of seafood-borne illness.
The culprits include parasites and bacteria that are generally not found
in cooked seafood. Shellfish is safe to eat during pregnancy, as long
as you cook it thoroughly. Cook oysters, clams, and mussels until the
shells open. If any don't open, throw them away.
Fish from Local Waters
Unless you know your local streams, bays, and lakes are unpolluted,
avoid eating fish you catch yourself. Some lakes and rivers are
contaminated with industrial chemicals. Locally caught bluefish, striped
bass, salmon, pike, trout, and walleye may be affected. Check with your
state's fish and wildlife department for more information.
Potluck Foods
You may not want to insult your friends by avoiding their potluck
offerings. But there's reason for concern if the food is left
unrefrigerated for too long. Follow the
2-Hour Rule:
Don't eat potluck dishes that have been sitting at room temperature for
longer than two hours. When temperatures are above 90° F, the cut-off
should be one hour.
Unpasteurized Milk
Have you ever dreamed of visiting a farm and tasting milk fresh
from a cow? If you're pregnant, it's best to postpone that outing.
Freshly collected milk has not yet been through the pasteurization
process that protects it from
listeria. Only buy milk, cheese, or dairy products from a local farm, if the label says "pasteurized."
The Caffeine Question
Good evidence now shows that a moderate amount of caffeine is safe
during pregnancy. But the jury is still out on whether higher amounts of
caffeine can increase the odds of a miscarriage. The March of Dimes
recommends women who are pregnant or trying should limit caffeine to 200
mg per day. That's one 12-ounce cup of coffee. But remember, caffeine
is also found in soda, tea, chocolate, and many energy drinks.
Alcohol
You already know that heavy drinking during pregnancy can lead to
serious birth defects. What you may not know is that even small amounts
of alcohol could be harmful. No amount of drinking has been found to be
safe during pregnancy, so it's best to avoid all forms of alcohol. This
includes wine, beer, coolers, and traditional egg nog, which contains
alcohol and raw eggs.
Doggie Bags
Unless you're headed straight home from the restaurant, it's best
to skip the doggie bag. The inside of a car can get warm quickly,
allowing bacteria to multiply. If you do take home leftovers, put them
in the fridge within two hours of when the meal was originally served.
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