Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy: A Complete Guide for Expecting Mothers

Maintaining a healthy diet is essential during pregnancy, and avoiding certain foods is just as important as consuming nutritious ones. Some foods can pose risks to both the mother and the baby. Here’s a comprehensive guide to foods that should be avoided for a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Seafood High in Mercury

Mercury can harm a baby’s developing nervous system. It’s best to avoid high-mercury fish and choose safer alternatives.

Unsafe Fish:

• 🔘 Bigeye tuna
• 🔘 King mackerel
• 🔘 Marlin
• 🔘 Orange roughy
• 🔘 Swordfish
• 🔘 Shark
• 🔘 Tilefish

Safe Options:

• 🔘 Anchovies
• 🔘 Salmon
• 🔘 Shrimp
• 🔘 Sardines
• 🔘 Tilapia

Raw, Undercooked, or Contaminated Seafood

To prevent bacterial or viral infections, avoid:

• 🔘 Raw fish and shellfish (e.g., sushi, sashimi, ceviche)
• 🔘 Uncooked refrigerated seafood
• 🔘 Seafood from unsafe contamination areas

Unpasteurized Foods

Unpasteurized dairy and juices may contain harmful bacteria.

• 🔘 Consume only pasteurized dairy products.
• 🔘 Avoid soft cheeses like brie, feta, and blue cheese unless labeled as pasteurized.
• 🔘 Do not drink unpasteurized milk, juice, or cider.

Excessive Caffeine

Too much caffeine can affect fetal development and increase miscarriage risk.

• 🔘 Limit caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day.
• 🔘 Be mindful of caffeine in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and colas.

Alcohol

No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

• 🔘 Alcohol increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
• 🔘 Avoid all forms of alcoholic beverages.

Expert Pregnancy Care at Dr. Supriya Women's Clinic

For personalized pregnancy care and expert guidance, Dr. Supriya Goyal at Dr. Supriya Women's Clinic provides comprehensive prenatal care.

Contact Information

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