9 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

It is a known fact that Pregnancy and cravings go hand in hand which can make eating a healthy diet a bit of challenge. This is true especially when there are certain food that one cannot eat during pregnancy, as they may be harmful for women to consume during their 9 months of gestation.

Here is a list of 9 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy, the reasons why as well as some solutions so you don't miss out on the scrumptious meals and goodies that you may be craving during your pregnancy.

1.Undercooked Meats and Poultry

Eating uncooked meat can cause serious complications for pregnant women since bacteria tends to grow in uncooked meats faster than you can say “uncooked meat.

To be on the safe side, always use a meat thermometer to make sure meats are cooked properly before serving or eating. A properly cooked Turkey must be at least 165 degrees.

2. Raw or Partially Cooked Eggs

Raw eggs can be contaminated with the harmful bacteria salmonella. Avoid foods made with raw or partially cooked eggs, such as:

• Eggnog
• Raw Batter
• Hollandaise Sauce
• Caesar salad dressing

If you’re baking and are tempted to eat raw batter, try snacking on fruit, nuts or even a glass of milk to keep the raw batter craving at bay.

3. Unpasteurized Soft Cheese

Unpasteurized soft cheese can be harmful since it may contain Listeria bacteria which can cause complications. You can have other delicious cheeses such as Swiss or Cheddar to satisfy your cheese cravings!

4. Unwashed Veggies

Vegetables that are unwashed may contain:

• Wax
• Pesticides
• Bacteria
• And the occasional bug, yuck!

Make sure those veggies are washed properly so you can get your daily dose of greens.

5. Wine

Alcohol has been proven to cause complications during pregnancy as well as birth defects. Have some Grape Juice, Ginger Ale or any other of your favorite drink options to stay on the safe side.

6. Hot or Cold Cider

Homemade ciders are usually made from unpasteurized products which puts them at risk of carrying E. coli which can cause serious food poisoning.

Instead try drinking the following:

• Apple Juice
• Hot Chocolate
• Almond milk

7. Excessive Caffeine

Too much caffeine can be detrimental to the growth and birth of your baby. If your coffee or soda craving is too intense, go for decaffeinated versions. Too much caffeine can be detrimental to the growth and birth of your baby. If your coffee or soda craving is too intense, go for decaffeinated versions.

8. Refrigerated Smoked Seafood

Avoid anything that is labeled ‘nova style’, ‘lox’, ‘kippered,’ ‘smoked’ or ‘jerky.

These usually include smoked seafood such as:

• Salmon
• Trout
• Whitefish
• Tuna
• Cod

These foods tend to carry a Listeria bacteria that can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. Stay away from these foods altogether and get your meat fix from meats cooked at the recommended temperature.

9. Improperly Stored Leftovers

This is one of those things that usually goes unnoticed, but leftovers which have not been stored properly and at the right temperature are prone to growing harmful bacteria. They can also be cross contaminated with any raw food in your fridge or can simply “go bad.

Be sure to properly store and label your leftovers.