General Herbal Care

Most women know it’s not such a good idea to go skydiving or bungee jumping while pregnant. Many, however, don’t realize there are other things to avoid as well. There are certain foods, that while cause no ill effects to an expectant woman, they can be harmful to an unborn child. Here are 5 foods every pregnant woman should avoid to help ensure their baby will be born happy and healthy.

What you don’t put into your body when you’re pregnant is just as important as what you do put into your body. Listeria is a type of bacteria found in foods that can be harmful to an unborn fetus. Among the risks are miscarriage, premature delivery, infection, and in some instances, stillbirths.

There are a number of foods that contain listeria that you should be avoided completely during pregnancy.

Soft cheeses

Soft cheeses such as feta, brie, camembert, blue-veined cheeses and Mexican cheeses including queso fresco, queso blanco and panela. Safe cheeses include cheddar, semi-soft cheeses like mozzarella, and pasteurized cheeses such as cottage cheese, sliced cheese and cheese spreads are safe also, but remember, they need to be of the pasteurized variety.

Under-cooked meats and fish products

This includes pates and meat spreads, and all seafood. Undercooked food is a breeding ground for bacteria. While many people are, luckily, able to avoid contracting bacterial infects from under-cooked meats and seafood, pregnancy puts you at a much higher risk of becoming infected.

Unwashed fruits and vegetables

Because listeria is a form of bacteria that is present in soil and water, it is especially important to wash all food that is grown in the ground before consuming it.

Lunchmeats and hotdogs

Luncheon meats and hotdogs should be avoided unless they are reheated to a temperature of no less than 160 degree Fahrenheit. Heating to this temperature will ensure that any listeria that may be present is killed off. It is also recommended that pregnant women refrain from eating luncheon meats and hotdogs at restaurants as well because these establishments do not reheat their meat.

In addition to avoiding these 5 types of foods it is also important to store and handle your food with care.

Keep all food preparation surfaces clean as well as your hands. Set your refrigerator temperature to 40 degrees or lower. Do not cross-contaminate food (Keep raw foods and cooked foods separate). Clean the inside of your refrigerator often. Use a food thermometer to ensure your foods are cooked to the proper temperatures. Refrigerate food promptly. Reheat all food to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meats should be cooked to the following temperatures:

Chicken: 165-180 F

Ground Meat: 160-165 F

Beef, Medium well: 160 F – Well Done: 170 F (It is not recommended to eat any meat cooked rare)

Pork: 160-170 F

Ham (raw): 160 F

Ham (precooked): 140 F

The Center of Disease Control estimates 27% of the roughly 2,500 people who become sick with listeria poisoning each year are pregnant women. It further reports that pregnant women are 20 times more likely to become infected than women who are not pregnant.

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