Foods to Avoid when Pregnant
 Most expectant mums know that there are certain foods that should be avoided during pregnancy, but how much is true and how much is an old wives tale? UrbanBaby has compiled the following list with help from other mothers, and then researched to make sure it is as accurate as possible.
Listeria
Listeria is a rare type of infection that in most people passes with little or no symptoms. In the case of a pregnant woman, the risk of miscarriage, still birth, premature birth or a very ill baby at birth is very high.
Symptoms can be so mild that they pass unnoticed or can consist of fever, tiredness, headache, aches and pains. Foods that are known to occasionally carry the Listeria infection include the following and should definitely be avoided during pregnancy: -
* Ready-to-eat seafood such as smoked fish and smoked mussels, oysters or raw seafood such as sashimi or sushi.
* Pre-prepared or stored salads, including coleslaw.
* Pre-cooked meat products which are eaten without further cooking or heating, such as paté, sliced deli meat, and cooked diced chicken (as used in sandwich shops).
* Any unpasteurised milk or foods made from unpasteurised milk.
* Soft serve ice-creams.
* Soft cheeses, such as brie, camembert, ricotta (these are safe if cooked and served hot).
Listeria is destroyed by conventional cooking, so freshly cooked foods are safe to eat. However, listeria is one of the few bacteria that will grow in refrigerated foods. This is why chilled ready-to-eat foods and refrigerated foods should be avoided.
Do not eat food that has been prepared and then stored in a refrigerator for more than 12 hours. It's best not to use salad bars in restaurants, supermarkets or delicatessens. Refrigerated foods that are past their 'use by' or 'best before' dates should also not be eaten.
Fish & Seafood
Fish at the top of the food chain tend to contain more heavy metals, especially mercury, which can cause developmental delays in children who are exposed to mercury during pregnancy. It has also been known to cause miscarriage.
Types of fish to avoid are; shark/flake, ray, swordfish, barramundi, gemfish, orange roughy, ling, and southern bluefin tuna. Tinned tuna is fine as long as you have no more than 2 servings per week.
It is recommended to eat other types of fish twice a week to obtain the nutritional benefits. Avoid all types of shellfish, prawns and smoked fish.
Raw and Seared Fish
Sushi, sashimi and seared fish are definitely out of the question. It is probably best to avoid all uncooked food prepared where you buy sushi and sashimi as the preparation surface may have been in contact with uncooked fish. Uncooked meat can contain toxoplasmosis parasite.
Red Meat and Chicken
All meat and chicken need to be thorougly cooked through or well done - so no more rare roast beef. Chicken especially should not be eaten cold the next day.
Deli Foods
Best to avoid all deli foods, as they are high risk for listeria.
These include all processed and sliced meats (salami, smoked meats), and any foods served from open containers (cheeses, olives, salads etc).
Fruit and Vegetables
Wash all fruit and vegetable thoroughly before eating. Do not use any that have gone mouldy- don't just cut off the bad area - throw the item out all together.
Soft Serve Ice-cream
Avoid all soft serve ice creams and yoghurts as there is a risk of listeria.
Eggs & Mayonnaise
Raw egg can contain salmonella, so make sure all your eggs are cooked through. Avoid sauces like hollandaise and Caesar dressing. Commercial Mayonnaise sold in jars is fine as it contains egg that has been pasteurised. Avoid fresh mayonnaise as it could contain raw egg.
Peanuts
Avoid peanuts during pregnancy and lactation to reduce your child's chance of allergy to peanuts and stop the possibility of an allergic reaction in the womb. A type of mould called aflatoxin which is dangerous also grows on peanuts.
Eating Out
Only eat food that is served steaming hot. Do not eat food that is served lukewarm. It is best to avoid smorgasbords. If this isn't possible, choose the hot foods only. Avoid pre-prepared salads (such as in salad bars).
If you buy ready-to-eat, hot food, make sure it's served steaming hot. When re-heating food in the microwave at home, make sure it's steaming hot throughout. Check your hamburger pattie is cooked through and avoid hotdogs and other processed meat.
Food Additives
Saccharin has been shown to be unsafe during pregnancy. MSG can cause headaches and stomach upsets.
Water
Do your best to drink purified, filtered or bottled water only as they are least likely to contain contaminates and can reduce birth defects.
Alcohol
There is not really any safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Even one glass a day can have detrimental effects on the unborn baby, especially in the first trimester, so it is recommended that you avoid all alcohol during pregnancy.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been linked to low IQ in babies, low birth weight and birth defects. It also prevents the absorption of folic acid and iron, and pulls calcium out of your bones. Your baby is so small compared to you - if you are tipsy, your baby has probably passed out.
Caffeine
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea and chocolate as well as several other foods like Coke-a-cola. It raises blood pressure and acts as a diuretic. It also prevents the absorption of folic acid and iron.
Caffeine consumption during pregnancy has been linked to miscarriage, birth defects and SIDS, as well as affecting the growth of the baby, even in small amounts.
Mineral Water
The occasional mineral water during pregnancy is fine, but don't limit that to your only drink as it high in sodium.
Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin A in doses of more than 2500 IU per day has also been known to cause birth defects. Vitamin A is high in liver based products which include pate.
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