Foods to Limit or Cook Thoroughly During Pregnancy

Introduction

When pregnant, it's essential to choose safe and healthy foods. Pregnant women should limit or cook thoroughly certain foods to avoid the risk of bacterial contamination and protect their health and their baby's health.

Foods to Limit

According to health organizations such as the CDC, NHS, and FDA, pregnant women should limit or avoid the following foods:

* Deli meats and ready-to-eat foods: Deli meats, hot dogs, and ready-to-eat foods can contain Listeria bacteria, which can cause listeriosis.

* Unpasteurized dairy products: Unpasteurized dairy products can contain E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria bacteria.

* High-mercury fish: High-mercury fish like shark, swordfish, and king mackerel can cause mercury poisoning.

* Raw or undercooked foods: Raw or undercooked foods like sushi, sashimi, and raw eggs can contain Salmonella and E. coli bacteria.

Foods to Cook Thoroughly

Pregnant women should also cook certain foods thoroughly to avoid the risk of bacterial contamination:

* Meat and poultry: Meat and poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to avoid the risk of Salmonella and E. coli contamination.

* Eggs: Eggs should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to avoid the risk of Salmonella contamination.

* Seafood: Seafood should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) to avoid the risk of Vibrio vulnificus contamination.

Practical Tips

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

* Always check the label before buying a product.

* Cook food thoroughly before eating.

* Avoid eating expired or spoiled food.

* Wash hands frequently before and after handling food.

When to Seek Help

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

* High fever

* Abdominal pain

* Diarrhea

* Vomiting

For more information on pregnancy meal planning and nutrition, visit our website or read more about related topics.

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.