Following a good pregnancy diet plan is very important in order to ensure your good health during those special nine months. In fact, you should always eat well-balanced meals, but it becomes much more important when you are expecting a baby. It is important for you to keep in mind that your baby needs some essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. You must prepare your diet chart accordingly. But, you have to be very careful because some food items may not be safe for you or your baby and you must avoid the same. Following is a list of twelve food items that you should not eat while you are pregnant.
1. Deli Meat
It has been found that deli meat is contaminated with listeria and eating the same may lead to miscarriage. Sometimes, it can be life threatening as well because listeria often crosses the placenta, causing blood poisoning or serious infection. Therefore, make sure that deli meat is not in your list while you are developing your pregnancy diet plan. However, if you cannot beat your cravings and you have to eat deli meat, you are strongly recommended to reheat the meat thoroughly - up to a point that it starts steaming.
2. Raw Meat
Raw meat is also very much likely to be contaminated with salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and coliform bacteria. Therefore, to ensure safe pregnancy, you should also avoid undercooked poultry or beef and uncooked seafood.
3. Smoked Seafood
Refrigerated, smoked seafood items that are labeled as jerky, kippered, nova style, or lox also carry the risk of being contaminated with Listeria. However, shelf-safe or canned smoked seafood products are often safe. Likewise, they can also be safe to eat even during pregnancy when they have been used as an ingredient in a cooked meal, such as casserole. So, create your pregnancy diet plan accordingly.
4. Fish With Mercury
Another food product that should be on your avoid list is the fish containing high amount of mercury. Always remember, consuming mercury while you are pregnant may result in birth defects for your baby. It may also lead to brain damage or development delays. Some of these types of fish include tilefish, king mackerel, swordfish, shark, and other types of fish used in sushi. However, Canned, chunk light tuna can be safe because it contains a very little amount of mercury, but you are still recommended to avoid the same or if you really want to take it, eat in moderation. Overall, if you are eating a fish product, do not forget to make sure that the type of fish you are eating does not contain mercury.
In the next part, I will tell you about some other food products that you should strictly exclude from your pregnancy diet plan.
