Sunday, March 15, 2009

WHAT FOODS SHOULD I AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

What foods should I avoid during
pregnancy?
There are certain foods and beverages that can harm
your baby if you eat or drink them while you are preg-
nant . Here is a general list of foods and beverages
that you should avoid:

Alcohol. Instead of wine, beer, or a mixed
drink, enjoy apple cider, tomato juice,
sparkling water, or other nonalcoholic
beverages .

Fish that may have high levels of
methylmercury (a substance that can build
up in fish and harm an unborn baby) . Do not
eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and
tilefish during pregnancy . Eat no more than
12 ounces of any fish per week (equal to four
3-ounce servings—each about the size of a
deck of cards) .

Soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, and goat
cheese and ready-to-eat meats including
lunch meats, hot dogs, and deli meats . These
foods may contain bacteria called listeria
that are harmful to unborn babies . Cooking
lunch meats, hot dogs, and deli meats until
steaming hot can kill the bacteria and make
these meats safe to eat

Raw fish such as sushi, sashimi, or ceviche
and raw or undercooked meat and poultry.
These foods can contain harmful bacteria .
Cook fish, meat, and poultry thoroughly
before eating .
.

Large amounts of caffeine-containing
beverages.
.
If you are a heavy coffee, tea,
or soda drinker, talk to your health care
provider about whether you should cut back
on caffeine . Try a decaffeinated version of your
favorite beverage, a mug of warm low-fat or
fat-free milk, or sparkling mineral water .

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Anything that is not food. Some pregnant
women may crave something that is not
ood, such as laundry starch or clay . Talk to
your health care provider if you crave
something that is not food .
Ask your health care
provider for a complete
list of foods and
beverages that you
should avoid .

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