Eating right
for two: Foods to Avoid (part 2 of 3)
By Jennifer Meers
While the importance of choosing the right foods to eat during pregnancy cannot be emphasized enough, it is just as vital to avoid consuming food that may cause harm to mother or baby.
Most foods and drinks pose no threat to the growing fetus. However, it is important to be aware of high-risk foods—to know which items to limit consumption of, and which to avoid altogether...continued below.
Before you pick up that glass…
- Alcohol: No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Even the smallest amounts have been shown to harm the developing fetus and can lead to miscarriage, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, impaired growth, mental disabilities, premature delivery, or low birth weight. It is important to continue to abstain from alcohol while breastfeeding because the baby could be exposed to alcohol through the breast milk, with harmful effects.
- Caffeine: Although many studies show consuming small amounts of caffeine during pregnancy usually leads to no problems, most doctors recommend that women avoid caffeine. Caffeinated beverages certainly will not benefit the baby, and large amounts have been linked to miscarriage, low birth weight, and hyperactivity disorders.
Caffeine inhibits iron absorption and acts as a diuretic, causing the body to loose water and calcium. To prevent the loss of important nutrients, pregnant women should replace caffeinated beverages with water, juice and milk.
If you must have your daily coffee fix, limit your caffeine to less than 300 mg a day. One 8 oz cup of coffee generally contains 150 mg, and a 12 oz glass of Coke has approximately 60 mg. Avoid caffeine altogether during the first trimester.
· Herbal tea: If you choose to drink herbal teas during pregnancy, doctors recommend you do so with caution. Read the labels—if it contains unfamiliar ingredients, it is best not to drink it. Additionally, be aware of the effects specific herbs have on your body. For example, large amounts of red raspberry leaf or peppermint are thought to cause contractions and preterm labor, and should be avoided.
· Artificial sweeteners: Another instance in which you should diligently check labels before consuming—some artificial sweeteners are acceptable during pregnancy while others should be avoided. Experts discourage the use of sweeteners containing saccharin, which can cross the placenta and remain in fetal tissues. But the FDA has approved sweeteners containing aspartame, including Equal and NutraSweet. Splenda, which is made with sucralose, is also accepted to be safe.
While diet sodas generally pose no risk during pregnancy, they also do not offer the nutritive advantages of milk or juices. Moderation is key. If you are getting plenty of water and other nutritious beverages each day, drinking a Diet Coke occasionally should not be a problem.
Before lifting that fork…
- Fish: It is not necessary for pregnant women to avoid seafood altogether. In fact, fish contain many nutrients that are beneficial during pregnancy. But the risk of mercury poisoning—which can contribute brain damage and developmental delays in newborns—makes it important to know which seafood is safe, and which should be avoided.
Fresh tuna, shark, swordfish, sea bass, tilefish, king mackerel and golden and white snapper all contain high levels of mercury and should not be eaten. To further protect against mercury poisoning, the FDA and EPA have issued a joint statement advising pregnant women to consume no more than two servings of fish each week.
Pregnant women are also advised not to eat any raw or undercooked shellfish, including mussels, oysters and clams, which can cause seafood borne illness.
- Deli meats: During pregnancy, women are more susceptible to listeriosis, a type of food-borne illness found in ready-to-eat meats such as luncheon meat and hot dogs, during pregnancy. Contracting listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, infection or even death to the newborn. These meats should not be eaten cold, reheating deli meats and hot dogs until steaming (160 F) will kill the listeria bacteria, making the meat safe to consume.
- Unpasteurized milk, juices or cider: Listeria is also found in unpasteurized beverages such as milk, apple cider and eggnog. Buying pasteurized products eliminates your risk.
Cheese: While hard cheeses (including cheddar), semi-soft cheeses (mozzarella) and pasteurized processed cheese slices and spreads are safe during pregnancy; experts recommend avoiding unpasteurized soft cheeses. These cheeses, including feta, goat, blue-veined, Brie, and Mexican-style, may contain the listeria
Sources: AmericanPregnancy.org, WebMD.com
