Taking care of food is essential to enjoy good health throughout life, but there is a specific stage that becomes fundamental. This stage is about pregnancy, since it forces to make modifications and new adjustments in the lifestyle so that the gestation is carried out without setbacks for the child and for the mother herself. Among these changes is feeding. There are certain foods that acquire the category of “prohibited” during pregnancy due to the high probability of containing harmful microorganisms, crossing the placental barrier and being able to seriously affect the health of the baby.
If you're wondering what a pregnant woman can't eat, this post is for you. To discover the foods forbidden during pregnancy, at we recommend that you continue reading this article.
Unpasteurized dairy products
Unpasteurized dairy can contain Listeria bacteria, which is commonly found in raw protein foods that are not heated. This bacterium can cause a miscarriage, an infection or death of the baby or a premature birth. Unpasteurized dairy products include those derived from milk, such as creams, yogurts, soft cheeses or ice cream and frozen yogurts.
Raw milk
Raw milk could provide very dangerous bacteria for the newborn such as listeria, salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli. This type of milk corresponds to that obtained by goats, cows and sheep (among other animals) without having been pasteurized. It is not enough to boil raw milk: to ensure its safe consumption, the only way is to buy pasteurized milk.
Blue cheese or Roquefort
Blue cheese or roquefort presents a high risk of being contaminated by some bacteria. It is within the group of white cheeses with stretch marks, being unsafe to consume during pregnancy. Therefore, they fall within the group of foods prohibited for pregnant women.
Unpasteurized soft cheeses
As with unpasteurized dairy, you should exercise great caution during pregnancy with some types of cheeses. Soft cheeses, such as feta cheese, brie, queso fresco, queso blanco or panela present an increased risk of listeriosis. If you want to eat soft cheeses, they must carry the seal of manufacture with pasteurized milk.
Smoked or raw fish
Smoked salmon in pregnancy, as well as other foods made from smoked or raw seafood and fish, are prohibited because they are more likely to contain bacteria or parasites than cooked fish. In addition to smoked salmon, some preparations with smoked or raw fish to avoid are: ceviche, tartar, carpaccio and sushi.
Bluefin tuna
Eating fish during the months of pregnancy is positive for its high content of nutrients and proteins such as omega-3 and 6. Still, some types of fish should be avoided because they contain high levels of mercury. Among them are bluefin tuna, swordfish, shark, pike and mackerel.
Raw seafood
The risk of anisakis forces pregnant women to avoid at all costs the consumption of undercooked or raw seafood, such as prawns, prawns, clams, oysters, mussels and oysters. In the same way, they should not eat shrimp heads because of their high content of cadmium, that is, a metal that can cause kidney dysfunctions.
Uncured ham
Pregnant women can consume ham as long as it is cured for more than 18 months to avoid toxoplasmosis. In the case of Iberian ham, it must have a curing of 24 months. Therefore, as you can see, you must follow a diet during pregnancy to eat adequate foods.
Undercooked or raw meats
Wondering what else a pregnant woman can't eat? Well, meats that are not well cooked may contain toxoplasmosis, that is, a parasite found in the raw meat of some animals and in the droppings of infected cats. Toxoplasmosis can cause serious damage in pregnancy, such as: low birth weight, premature birth, jaundice, fever, delayed mental development, retinal irregularities, abnormal skull size, seizures and calcifications in brain formation. Therefore, undercooked or raw meats fall within the group of foods prohibited in pregnancy.
Raw eggs
The risk of salmonellosis is reason enough to avoid eating raw eggs during pregnancy, as it can lead to bacteremia, dehydration, meningitis, Reiter's syndrome and reactive arthritis. Both the raw egg and those foods that contain it in their preparation and are not cooked a posteriori, are prohibited during pregnancy.
Sausages
Sausages can be contaminated by listeria during their preparation, so they require maximum caution during pregnancy. They include salami, chorizo, mortadella, sausage and fuet, among others. To eat them safely, they must have verification that they have gone through a reheating process.
Unwashed vegetables
Vegetables are a fundamental part of healthy eating for pregnant women, but as long as they are handled correctly. This implies a good washing to avoid contamination of toxoplasmosis, since it could be present in the soils of vegetable crops. These are some of the foods forbidden during pregnancy.
Foie and pâtés
The consumption of refrigerated spreadable meats and pâtés during pregnancy is not recommended because they present a high risk of listeriosis. Before eating them, their pasteurization should be checked. Also, you should avoid homemade pâtés and foies because the risk of listeriosis is even higher. Pâtés fall within the list of prohibited foods during the first trimester of pregnancy, it also applies to all remaining months.
Raw eggs
The risk of salmonellosis is reason enough to avoid eating raw eggs during pregnancy, as it can lead to bacteremia, dehydration, meningitis, Reiter's syndrome and reactive arthritis. Both the raw egg and those foods that contain it in their preparation and are not cooked a posteriori, are prohibited during pregnancy.
Sausages
Sausages can be contaminated by listeria during their preparation, so they require maximum caution during pregnancy. They include salami, chorizo, mortadella, sausage and fuet, among others. To eat them safely, they must have verification that they have gone through a reheating process.
Unwashed vegetables
Vegetables are a fundamental part of healthy eating for pregnant women, but as long as they are handled correctly. This implies a good washing to avoid contamination of toxoplasmosis, since it could be present in the soils of vegetable crops. These are some of the foods forbidden during pregnancy.
Foie and pâtés
The consumption of refrigerated spreadable meats and pâtés during pregnancy is not recommended because they present a high risk of listeriosis. Before eating them, their pasteurization should be checked. Also, you should avoid homemade pâtés and foies because the risk of listeriosis is even higher. Pâtés fall within the list of prohibited foods during the first trimester of pregnancy, it also applies to all remaining months.
