What To Avoid Eating When You're Pregnant

Finding out that you are pregnant can be the most exciting, but can also the most frightening news that you have ever received. There is a life growing inside of you, and now, every decision that you make is not just about you anymore, but for someone else as well who is looking to you for everything. You and your baby will be in one body for a total of nine months, and it is very important that you eat the right food to make sure that the little life inside of you is getting everything he or she will need to develop normally. To ensure you are eating properly, there are things that you must avoid in order to have a successful pregnancy, and here is a list of risky dietary choices to avoid when you're pregnant.

Caffeine: Obstetricians have released a study that says that women who drink a high amount of caffeine every day, which is more than two cups of coffee or three cans of soda a day, can increase their risk of miscarriage by more than 50 percent. 

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is usually found in orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, squash, and among others. While Vitamin A is a recommended supplement for pregnant mothers, taking it excessively can actually result in birth defects.

Alcohol: While the debate about alcohol is on, and there are some obstetricians that do say that one glass of wine once in a great while is fine, majority of the health experts say that avoiding it during pregnancy is a better and a healthier resolution. This is because some women do not stop at just one small glass of wine. By strong prohibition of alcohol during pregnancy, mothers are compelled not to do so. Pregnant women who drink too much alcohol, may be at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and can cause birth defects and developmental problems in babies.

Trivia — Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the leading causes of birth abnormalities in the United States with least 5, 000 cases are recorded every year.

Fish: Fish, especially salmon, is one of the best foods for the heart. But, not all fish are good for pregnant mothers. Fish such as sword fish and shark contains mercury and therefore, should be avoided. The mercury in fish can harm the developing nervous system of the baby. Furthermore, certain kinds of fish are definitely on the list of food to avoid such as sushi not because they contain mercury but mainly because they are raw. Uncooked and undercooked meat may contain bacteria, viruses and fungi which can make women very sick.

Undercooked meat and poultry: As previously mentioned, meat and poultry that are not thoroughly cooked can contain harmful bacteria that can affect the baby, and make both mother and baby extremely sick. Similarly, food that is not cooked properly can cause food poisoning. While this is not fatal, it can still cause extreme sickness and dehydration for pregnant mothers.

Soft cheeses: Some soft cheeses contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning and other food borne illnesses. Soft cheese may contain listeria, a bacterium that can cause a pregnant woman to miscarry. Some of the soft cheeses available in the market today are feta cheese, Brie, blue cheese, queso blanco and goat cheese. Opt for hard cheese such as Swiss or cheddar.

Unpasteurized milk and juice: Milk has to be pasteurized in order to kill harmful bacteria. This is because some women can have a strong reaction to drinking milk that has not been thoroughly boiled and sterilized.

Raw eggs: Raw eggs contain a lot of bacteria, but the process of boiling them can kill them. Pregnant women should avoid eating anything with raw eggs such as cookie dough.

Unwashed vegetables and fruits: Fruits and vegetables have to be washed before they are eaten because they are often sprayed with chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers that help them grow. 

Pregnancy is a wonderful time for women, but they have to make sure that they follow their doctor's advice and eat things that are considered to be safe during pregnancy. These are certain foods that pregnant mother's need to avoid for both their sake, and for the health and well-being of their developing child.