Foods to Limit or Cook Thoroughly During Pregnancy

Introduction

When pregnant, choosing safe and healthy foods is crucial to ensure 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, pregnant women should limit the following foods:

* Deli meats and processed meat products: These foods can contain Listeria bacteria, which can harm the fetus.

* Unpasteurized dairy products and raw milk: These 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 or raw foods: Foods like sushi, sashimi, and raw eggs can contain Salmonella and E. coli bacteria.

Foods to Cook Thoroughly

To ensure 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 avoid Salmonella and E. coli bacteria.

* Eggs: Cook eggs to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to avoid Salmonella bacteria.

* Seafood: Cook seafood to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) to avoid Vibrio vulnificus bacteria.

Practical Tips

Here are some practical tips to help pregnant women choose safe foods:

* Read food labels: When buying food, read the labels to know the origin and processing methods.

* Choose fresh foods: Choose fresh foods and avoid processed or canned foods.

* Cook food thoroughly: Cook food thoroughly to avoid bacteria and other harmful substances.

* Consult our pregnancy meal planner for more information on safe foods for pregnant women.

When to Seek Help

If pregnant women have any questions or concerns about food safety, they should consult their doctor or a registered dietitian. Additionally, if they experience any symptoms like fever, chills, or diarrhea, they should seek help immediately.

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
• topic hubs for pregnancy nutrition
• Pregnancy Meal Planner Premium

Sources

The information in this article is based on guidelines from the CDC, NHS, and FDA. For more information on food safety during pregnancy, visit our prenatal nutrition page.

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