Ingredients and foods to avoid during pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most vital and sensitive periods in a woman’s life. Therefore, it is very important to eat a healthy diet and avoid certain ingredients and foods.

Certain foods should be consumed in moderation, while other ingredients and foods should be avoided completely when pregnant: e.g., high-mercury fish, raw meat and eggs, raw and unpasteurized milk and cheese as well as unwashed produce. Just memorize this important food safety rule during pregnancy: Keep it cold, hot and clean!

What not to eat when pregnant

High-mercury fish

Mercury is a highly toxic element and is most commonly found in polluted water. You should not eat high mercury fish more than 1-2 times each month. This includes swordfish, tuna and mackerel. However, it is important to note that not all fish are high in mercury – just certain types.

Consuming low-mercury fish during pregnancy is very healthy, and these fish can be eaten up to 2 times per week. Fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for your baby.

Raw meat and eggs

Avoid eating raw and undercooked meat and meat preparations (e.g., burgers, carpaccio) during pregnancy as they may contain harmful bacteria. Raw eggs and egg preparations (e.g., homemade mayonnaise, Tiramisu) can be contaminated with Salmonella. Make sure you always cook eggs thoroughly during pregnancy.

Raw and unpasteurized milk and cheese

Raw milk and unpasteurized cheese (e.g., camembert, blue cheese) can contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria. The same goes for unpasteurized juice. To minimize the risk of infection during pregnancy, you should only consume pasteurized milk, cheese and fruit juice.

Unwashed produce

Fruits and vegetables may be contaminated with harmful bacteria. It is therefore important to carefully rinse all fruits and vegetables before consumption.

Check out our 7 evidence-based pregnancy tips for a healthy baby…