It’s that time of year when holiday meals and office potlucks offer many foods to choose from. While it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet during pregnancy, there are some foods that pregnant women should avoid to minimize potential risks to your baby.
Skip the sushi or any fish that’s served raw or is high in mercury. This includes Bigeye tuna, King mackerel, shark and swordfish. And avoid locally caught bluefish, pike, salmon, striped bass, trout, and walleye, as well as smoked cod, smoked salmon or lox, smoked tuna and raw shellfish like oysters, clams or mussels.
Maybe that office party tray looks tasty but don’t dive into any ready-to-eat meats like cold cuts and deli meats, or hot dogs, unless they’ve been heated to steaming and served hot. The same for pre-stuffed fish, chicken or fresh turkey, plus any meats that are cooked rare, like prime rib served at a holiday meal.
You might be tempted to sample some raw cookie dough during holiday baking, but it has raw eggs that can be dangerous. Anything with raw eggs is off your food list, including Caesar salad dressing, mayonnaise, and homemade dressings, and sauces or desserts made with raw eggs.
Unpasteurized milk or any cheese made from it is also off the holiday menu for you. This includes soft cheeses such as brie, blue cheese, feta, panela, queso blanco, and queso fresco.
Store-bought fresh squeezed juices or any unpasteurized juice is also a no-no. This includes unwashed raw fruits and vegetables that may be in a freshly-made smoothie. And avoid raw spouts of any kind because they can harbor disease-causing bacteria.
Finally, remember that a favorite part of many holiday celebrations is a hard pass for you. No level of alcohol has been proved safe during pregnancy, and drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to a higher risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
If you’ve just learned that you’re pregnant or need to find a women’s health care provider, the team at Northline Women’s Health Care is ready to serve you in Southgate and Brownstown. Discover our obstetrician services or request an appointment.
