| Foods
to Avoid |
Toxin |
What
risks does it
pose? |
What
options are
there? |
| Shark, King
Mackerel, Swordfish,
and Tilefish |
Methylmercury |
Can harm the
nervous system
of an unborn baby or a young
child. Methylmercury can remain in an adult's system
for one year after ingestion,
so consider whether this toxin will be present in your system before
trying
to conceive. |
Continue to eat
other types of
fish. It has been shown to increase the brain growth in a
fetus. It is also a great
source of protein and low in fat. Therefore, it's a good
addition to a healthy diet plan. Expectant and breastfeeding mothers
can eat
up to 12 oz. of low-mercury fish in a week including: shrimp,
salmon, pollock, catfish, and canned tuna. However, these women
should eat no more than 6 oz. of
(albacore) white tuna in any
given week. |
| Shellfish (oysters
and clams)
and Sushi |
Raw Sewage |
Can cause severe
gastrointestinal illness |
Fish should be
fully cooked
until it easily flakes with
a fork. It will appear opaque
in coloration and will register
an internal temperature of 145
degrees Farenheit. |
| Game fish (trout,
salmon, or
bass) |
Industrial
pollutant: PCB's (Polychlorinated biphenyls) |
May cause learning
problems,
decreased IQ, and reduced
birth weight in an unborn fetus. |
Check first with local health department to determine risk of pollution. Also check with the Environmental Protection Agency to determine if mercury warnings have been issued in your area. |
| Hot Dogs or Lunch
Meats (Ham,
Turkey,Salami, Bologna, Corned Beef, Roast Beef, etc.) |
Listeriosis (form
of food
poisoning) |
Can cause miscarriage, still births, or premature delivery. If baby is born with listeriosis, the baby can become seriously ill and possibly die. | Only safe if
reheated until
steaming hot. |
| Soft Cheeses (Feta,
Brie, Queso
Blanco, Queso Fresco, Panela,
Camembert, Roquefort, blue
-veined, and any other cheese
that has not been made with
pasteurized milk. |
Listeriosis (form
of food
poisoning) |
Can cause miscarriage, still births, or premature delivery. If baby is born with listeriosis, the baby can become seriously ill and possibly die. | All other cheeses
are fine
including cream cheese and cottage cheese. If you have
questions or concerns, ask
your doctor. |
| Refrigerated pates,
meat
spreads, or smoked seafood
(unless previously cooked) |
Listeriosis (form
of food
poisoning) |
Can cause miscarriage, still births, or premature delivery. If baby is born with listeriosis, the baby can become seriously ill and possibly die. | Eat only canned
versions instead. Make sure if eating a smoked
seafood dish that it was previously cooked before
refrigeration. |
| Unpasteurized milk
products |
Listeriosis (form
of food
poisoning) |
Can cause miscarriage, still births, or premature delivery. If baby is born with listeriosis, the baby can become seriously ill and possibly die. | Buy only
pasteurized milk
products. |
| Unpasteurized fruit
and
vegetable juices |
Salmonella and E.
Coli poisoning |
Woman can become
seriously ill. If they are pregnant, it can be passed
on to their unborn child resulting
in illness that may include: diarrhea, fever, and possibly
meningitis (swelling of the brain). |
Drink and eat only
pasteurized
fruit and vegetable products.
All unpasteurized products should
have a label that states that information. If unsure, don't.
It's better to be safe than sorry. |
| Undercooked Meats |
Toxoplasmosis (is
also
transmitted via cat feces) |
Can cause vision
and hearing
problems in an unborn baby as well as possible mental
retardation or seizures. |
Make sure that all
meat is
cooked thoroughly. Pork, ground beef (hamburgers), and
chicken should have no pink
coloration at all after cooking.
Beef, veal, and lamb may be slightly pink in the middle
but should have an internal
temperature of 145 degrees
Fahrenheit. Pork and ground
beef should reach an internal
temperature of 160 degrees.
Whole chicken and turkey should
reach an internal temperature of
180 degrees. Chicken breasts should reach 170 degrees.
Always use a meat thermometer! |
| Undercooked Eggs |
Salmonella |
Women can become
seriously ill.
If they are pregnant, it can be
passed on to their unborn child
resulting in illness that may
include: diarrhea, fever, and
possibly meningitis (swelling of
the brain). |
Eggs should be
cooked until the
egg whites and yolk are hard.
Avoid foods with undercooked
or raw eggs in the ingredients
(i.e. cookie dough, hollandaise
sauce, and egg nogg, etc.) |
| Liver |
Vitamin A overdose |
May cause birth
defects. |
While Vitamin A is
necessary for
appropriate growth in an unborn fetus, too much vitamin A can be
toxic. Eating liver has not been
directly linked to birth defects,
but if you wish to continue eating
liver while pregnant, make sure your multivitamin does not contain
more than 5,000 International Units
(I.U.'s) of preformed Vitamin A or take a multivitamin that does not
contain Vitamin A. |
Alcohol, Drugs,
and Tobacco
Sources:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1152.asp
http://www.pregnancy.org/nutritionexpert.php
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020615/2507.html
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/beffolic.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/99-104.html
| Alcohol,
Drugs,
and Tobacco |
Toxin |
What
risks does it
pose? |
What
options are
there? |
| Alcohol (Beer, wine, hard liquor, mixed drinks) | Alcohol |
Can cause birth
defects such as
fetal alcohol syndrome in offspring.
This can damage the child's
learning capacity and may result in
mental retardation. In addition, prolonged and excessive drinking
can cause severe liver damage for
the mother. |
Drink virgin
(non-alcoholic)
drinks. No one knows how much
alcohol can hurt an unborn
fetus. Therefore,it is recommended that all women
of gestational age who might
become pregnant should not drink alcohol. If you cannot
stop drinking, contact a local
support group or rehabilitation
clinic for help. (*See resource guide) |
| Drugs (Cocaine,
marijuana,
LSD, methamphetamines, heroine, etc. |
Depends on the Drug |
Can cause birth
defects and
possibly mental retardation in
offspring. The infant can be
born addicted to the drug and
have to suffer through withdrawal.
Negative health effects are reported with all illegal drugs. |
Never put illegal
drugs into
your body. If you have a problem
with an illegal substance, contact
a local support group or rehabilitation clinic for help. (*See resource guide) |
| Tobacco |
There are many
toxins
found in tobacco and in
tobacco smoke. |
Smoking puts women
at a much
greater risk for heart disease,
the nation's leading cause of
death for women. It also puts
women in danger of lung cancer
among other smoking-related illnesses such as emphysema.
Smoking during pregnancy can
cause prematurity and low birth weight infants. Infants
of smoking mothers are also
at a much higher risk for SIDS
(Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or "crib death"). |
Stop smoking. The
sooner a
woman quits during her pregnancy,
the healthier the outcome for
herself and her baby. Studies have proven that stopping smoking
at any point in the pregnancy
will yield some good results for
the baby. The sooner you quit,
the healthier your unborn baby
will be. If you need help to quit
smoking, please see the resource guide located on this website for local organizations that can help you reach this goal. |
Sources:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1152.asp
http://www.pregnancy.org/nutritionexpert.php
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020615/2507.html
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/beffolic.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/99-104.html
Disclaimer:
This information is meant for educational
purposes only and cannot replace medical advice. Contact your
doctor about any concerns you have.