Foods to Limit or Cook Thoroughly During Pregnancy

Introduction

When pregnant, it's essential to choose safe and healthy foods to protect the health of both mother and baby. In this article, we will provide information on foods that pregnant women should limit or cook thoroughly to avoid health risks.

Foods to Limit

According to the CDC, NHS, and FDA, there are several types of foods that pregnant women should limit or avoid, including:

• Deli meats and processed meats: These foods can contain Listeria bacteria, which can harm the fetus.
• Unpasteurized dairy products and raw milk: Unpasteurized dairy products can contain E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria bacteria.
• High-mercury fish: Fish high in mercury, such as shark, swordfish, and king mackerel, can harm fetal development.
• Undercooked and raw foods: Undercooked and raw foods, such as sushi, sashimi, and raw eggs, can contain Salmonella and E. coli bacteria.

Foods to Cook Thoroughly

To ensure food safety, pregnant women should cook the following foods thoroughly:

• Meat and poultry: Cook meat and poultry to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure that bacteria are killed.
• Eggs: Cook eggs to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure that bacteria are killed.
• Seafood: Cook seafood to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) to ensure that bacteria are killed.

Practical Tips

To ensure food safety, pregnant women can follow these tips:

• Always check the label to ensure that the product has been pasteurized.
• Cook food to the recommended internal temperature.
• Avoid eating processed and raw foods.
• Wash hands frequently when handling food.

When to Seek Care

If pregnant women experience any of the following symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately:

• High fever
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

To learn more about safe and healthy foods for pregnant women, you can visit our pregnancy meal planner or read more about prenatal nutrition.

Explore on Pregnancy Meal Planner

Use these Pregnancy Meal Planner pages next — each link goes to a different part of the site:

• free 7-day pregnancy meal planner
• prenatal nutrition articles
• pregnancy nutrition blog
• Pregnancy Meal Planner Premium

Sources

• CDC: People at Risk: Pregnant Women — Food Safety — https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/people-at-risk/pregnant-women.html
• NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy — https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
• FDA: Food Safety for Pregnant Women — https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-pregnant-women

Educational overview inspired by Pregnancy Meal Planner Editorial. Not a verbatim copy.