What Not to Eat when PG

Apparently we need to post this...

Foods to Avoid
during Pregnancy
Written by Gloria Tsang R.D.
last updated: September 2005


A healthy, well-balanced diet is important during pregnancy. Most fresh foods are wholesome and safe to eat, however some foods should be avoided during pregnancy.


What not to eat when you are pregnant:

Raw Meats and Seafood including sushi - all uncooked and rare meats and seafood should be avoided due to high risk of listeria and salmonella poisoning.


Deli meats including hot dogs - these deli meats might be contaminated with listeria bacteria which may result in miscarriage or even a stillbirth. It's safe to eat deli meats if you reheat them until steaming hot.


Refrigerated smoked seafood - for the same reason of listeria contamination. It is safe if they are contained in cooked dishes. Canned and shelf-stable versions are safe to eat.


Raw eggs - raw eggs may contain salmonella. Some Caesar salad dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream and custards as well as Hollandaise sauces may be made with raw eggs. It is best to check with your server in a restaurant; if in doubt, it is best to avoid it. In addition, unpasteurized eggnog should be avoided.


Fish high in mercury - avoid high-mercury fish such as Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel and Tilefish. Also limit fish intake to no more than 2 servings per week. For more info - read Is it Safe to eat Fish during Pregnancy?


Soft cheese - avoid the following soft cheeses: Feta, Brie, and Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses, queso blanco, queso fresco and Panela. They are safe to eat if they are labelled pasteurized.


Refrigerated pâtes or meat spreads - for the same reason of listeria contamination. It is safe to eat the canned or shelf-stable versions.


Liver - liver is a rich source of iron. However it contains a high level of Vitamin A. Large amounts of Vitamin A can be harmful to the baby.


Unpasteurized milk and juices


Alcohol - many documented fetal abnormalities and birth defects have been associated with alcohol use during pregnancy.


So lollipops, McDonald's and other things are fine in moderation unless your Dr. specifically tells you otherwise.

And remember it says AVOID - which means if you had some feta cheese in a salad and some actually gasp got through into your throat -- it's fine.

Foods to Avoid

Re: What Not to Eat when PG

Thanks for posting

Re: What Not to Eat when PG

I wish we could pin this topic.

Thanks Kara!!

Re: What Not to Eat when PG

The library has a TON of books about pregnancy....and they're FREE!!

I check out a few and the ones I really think are useful I will go out and buy...

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good info, but the deli meats I disagree with. My dr said they were fine. I would just make sure that the coldcuts are fresh and not sitting around for days.

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bump

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Thanks, Kara!

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bump

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Re: What Not to Eat when PG

Something that should go along with this post...

How great is the risk for listeriosis?

In the United States, an estimated 2,500 persons become seriously ill with listeriosis each year. Of these, 500 die. At increased risk are: Pregnant women - They are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis. About one-third of listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy.
Newborns - Newborns rather than the pregnant women themselves suffer the serious effects of infection in pregnancy.

Persons with weakened immune systems
Persons with cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease
Persons with AIDS - They are almost 300 times more likely to get listeriosis than people with normal immune systems.
Persons who take glucocorticosteroid medications
The elderly


Healthy adults and children occasionally get infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.

Listeriosis - CDC

As a comparison - there were almost 40,000 fatal car crashes last year... just to give people an idea of where the risk for actually contracting Listeriosis is... so as not to cause panic for those that may have had a ham sandwich or (gasp!) a piece of soft cheese.

Listen to your Drs and your instincts....

Re: What Not to Eat when PG

My Dr also told me I could take anything over the counter for constipation-metamucil, etc. Every Dr is different it is all a matter of how risk averse you are.

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Looks like this needs to be bumped -- again....

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Hot dogs are hot, why are they bad?

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Well considering what some people are asking if they can eat....Like everything, this is a guideline. But why wouldn't you be "allowed" to eat a hamburger for example?? I just don't get it.

PS there are no pg police out there...our moms ate whatever they wanted, didn't take prenatals, smoked, drank, etc...so I say take it all with a grain of salt anyway.

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another bump...

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in regards to the hot dogs I did talk to the drs about that... and she did say how turkey franks would be better, and very hot