Foods to Limit or Cook Thoroughly During Pregnancy

Introduction

When pregnant, choosing safe and healthy foods is crucial to ensure the well-being 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 certain foods that pregnant women should limit or avoid altogether, including:

* Deli meats and hot dogs: These foods can contain Listeria bacteria, which can harm the fetus.

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

* High-mercury fish: Fish like shark, swordfish, and king mackerel can contain mercury, which can harm fetal development.

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

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:

* Always check food labels to ensure that they have been pasteurized or cooked thoroughly.

* Avoid eating processed or pre-cooked foods.

* Cook foods at home to ensure that they have been cooked thoroughly.

* Consider using a meal planner to get safe and healthy meal ideas.

When to Seek Help

If pregnant women have any questions or concerns about food safety, they should seek help from their doctor or a registered dietitian. They can provide specific information and advice to help pregnant women choose safe and healthy foods.

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. Pregnant women can refer to the following sources for more detailed information:

* CDC: People at Risk: Pregnant Women — Food Safety

* NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy

* FDA: EPA-FDA Advice about Eating Fish and Shellfish

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