What can’t a pregnant woman eat?

take care of food it is important throughout life, as what we eat has a direct effect on our health and well-being. But if there is a time when this is crucial, it is during the pregnancy.

Some foods may contain bacteria or viruses or substances that can harm the development of the baby… Here is a list of foods that a pregnant woman cannot eat or that should be avoided During pregnancy:

What a pregnant woman should not eat

Here you will find a reference guide to know which foods are best discarded during pregnancy to avoid risks.

fish that should not be eaten during pregnancy

He mercury is a toxic metal that can harm the developing brain and nervous system of the fetus. It accumulates in the bodies of fish that eat other smaller fish and levels are highest in those large or long-lived fishsuch as tuna or swordfish.

Some of the fish with the highest mercury content are:

GrouperMackerelMarlinSharkSwordfishTuna (fresh, fillets, sushi)SeabassBluefishEelLobsterMonkfish

Sausages and meats that cannot be eaten during pregnancy

Be it beef, poultry, pork… may contain bacteria (as the listeriathe Salmonella and the E.coli) that can cause serious foodborne infections in pregnant women, cross the placenta and affect fetal development, as well as increase the risk of spontaneous abortion, preterm birth or neonatal infections.

You have to avoid carpaccio or tartare. The meat must be well cooked and cooked at high temperatures (> 70-80ºC). An orientation to know if it is sufficiently cooked is that the meat juices come out transparent and the meat is not pink inside.

It is recommended to avoid sausages that have not gone through a cooking process such as sausages or fuet. In general, you should avoid during pregnancy:

Serrano ham. Chorizo. Salchichón, fuet and the like.

​​​​In this video you will discover the essential nutrients during pregnancy:

raw or undercooked eggs

Eggs can also contain bacteria, such as Salmonella, which can cause serious foodborne infections in pregnant women. The bacteria can be both in the shell and inside the egg and to eliminate them you have to cook the eggs well until both the white and the yolk are cooked. Therefore, it is convenient to avoid fried eggs with the runny yolk or the egg in sauces or desserts, among others.

Milk, cheeses and dairy products that should not be eaten

Again, they can contain harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogeneswhich can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. Pasteurization is a process in which, by heating, microorganisms that may be present in milk are eliminated. Besides the raw milkit is convenient to avoid those foods like cheeses, yogurts, ice creams or creams made with it. As for cheeses, the most “dangerous” are soft and semi-soft, such as brie, camembert, blue cheese, feta and fresh cheese.

These are the cheeses that are recommended not to consume during pregnancy:

Comté Cheese Brie Cheese, Camembert Cheese Chaumes Cheese Feta Cheese Blue cheeses such as Roquefort, Gongonzola or blue Stilton. Cabrales cheeseLancashire cheeseTulum cheeseFresh cheese

Raw or undercooked shellfish

Seafood may contain bacteria and viruses They can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy, as they can increase the risk of complications for the fetus. For example, oysters and mussels raw or undercooked may contain bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticusthe vibrio vulnificus and the Salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. They can also contain the hepatitis A virus, which can be very dangerous for pregnant women. Besides, some shellfish contain mercury.

During pregnancy:

Do not eat shellfish that are not cooked (raw oysters, raw clams, raw scallops…). Avoid refrigerated raw shellfish labeled “nova-style,” “lox,” “kipper,” “smoked,” or “jerky.”

Alcoholic beverages

Drinking alcohol while pregnant increases the risk of miscarriage and preterm labor. Alcohol consumed by the mother passes directly to the baby and can cause brain damage, delayed growth, and other serious health problems. These effects can vary depending on the amount of alcohol, the stage at which it is consumed, and other factors.

Caffeine (in excess)

Caffeine is a stimulant that can cross the placenta, so it can affect the heart rate and metabolism of the fetus. Some studies suggest that high levels of caffeine in the body may increase the risk of miscarriage and preterm labor. It has also been seen that the excessive caffeine intake during pregnancy could lead to a higher risk of low birth weight, congenital malformations or delayed fetal growth, among other complications. Besides in the cafecaffeine is also present in some soft drinks and energy drinks, tea or chocolate.

Processed foods

They usually contain artificial additives, such as preservatives and colors. They are also often high in saturated and trans fats, refined sugars, and sodium.

In addition to the foods and drinks that we have discussed, it is important keep a good eye on conservation of food, clean fruits and vegetables well that we are going to consume (as well as the materials and surfaces that we use for cooking) and avoid any food of which we do not know the origin or the way of preparation.