5 foods to avoid during pregnancy

Even if they do not make you feel ill, some of the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that occur in certain foods can cause serious health problems in your baby. To protect your own health and the health of your unborn child, here's a list of the types of foods you should avoid during pregnancy.

Low-fat dairy products, such as cottage cheese and skimmed milk, are good sources of protein and calcium.

However, you should avoid unpasteurized dairy products like raw milk and uncooked, mould-ripened soft cheeses, such as Brie or Camembert, as they could harbour listeria, a bacterium that causes a food-borne illness called listeriosis.

Pregnancy is the perfect time to load up on fresh fruits and vegetables, but be sure to rinse them under running water to remove all traces of soil.

Soil can contain a parasite called toxoplasma, which can increase your risk of miscarriage and stillbirth in the first and second trimesters.

In the third trimester toxoplasma can cause your unborn baby to develop congenital toxoplasmosis, a condition characterized by learning difficulties, reduced vision, or hearing loss.

Fish is a great source of protein, and the omega-3 fatty acids found in many oily fish help promote healthy brain and eye development in your baby.

However, you must make smart choices about the type of fish you eat while pregnant.

Some fish contain high levels of mercury, a metal that could harm your baby.

Fish that contain high levels of mercury include shark, swordfish, escolar, orange roughy, marlin, and fresh or frozen tuna.

If you want to eat these types of fish, you can continue to do so, but you should limit your consumption to 150 grams per month.

It's best not to eat undercooked meat and poultry at any time. But it's especially important to avoid eating these foods during pregnancy since they may contain salmonella bacteria, a common cause of food poisoning.

To prevent food poisoning, cook meat and poultry thoroughly. To be absolutely sure that your meat and poultry are fully cooked use a meat thermometer to check their temperature.

Whole cuts of meat must be least 63 degrees Celsius (145 degrees Fahrenheit), ground meats like hamburgers must be 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit), and poultry pieces such as chicken breasts must be 74 degrees Celsius (165 degrees Fahrenheit) before you eat them.

Raw shellfish is one of the top causes of illness in pregnancy.

But, it is safe for you to eat shellfish during pregnancy, so long as the shellfish is thoroughly cooked.

Cook oysters, mussels and clams until the shells open to destroy harmful bacteria and parasites.

Make sure you know the facts about which foods to avoid during pregnancy. This list is meant to give you an outline of the foods to avoid.

For in depth information about what foods you should avoid when pregnant, talk to your doctor. Along with telling you which foods you should avoid, your doctor can also tell you what other food-related precautions you should take while pregnant. Understanding these precautions can help you and your unborn baby to stay safe and healthy.