Eating well-balanced meals is important at all times, and it is more essential when you are pregnant. There are essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that your developing baby needs.
However, there are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy
1. Fish with Mercury: Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. These types of fish that include: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, canned tuna have a little mercury so apply moderation when eating any.
2. Raw Eggs: Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella.
3. Unpasteurized Milk: Unpasteurized milk may contain listeria. Make sure that any milk you drink is pasteurized.
4. Caffeine: Avoid caffeine during the first trimester to reduce the likelihood of a miscarriage. Caffeine should be limited to fewer than 200 mg per day during pregnancy. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it helps eliminate fluids from the body, which could result in water and calcium loss. It is very important that you are drinking plenty of water, juice, and milk rather than caffeinated beverages.
5. Alcohol: There is NO amount of alcohol that is known to be safe during pregnancy. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of the baby. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or other developmental disorders.
