There are so many dos and don'ts for your pregnancy that it is hard to keep everything in line. However, when it comes to the food that you are consuming, you will want to make sure that you are eating right. There are certain foods that you will want to avoid eating throughout your pregnancy because they are unsafe for you and your unborn baby. Here are four of them.
Soft Cheeses
If you enjoy sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese on your pizza or pasta, then you are fine. However, cheese dip will need to wait until you have delivered your bundle of joy. Soft cheeses aren't made with pasteurized milk. Instead, these types of cheeses are made with unpasteurized milk, which could potentially harbor listeria. Listeria could harm you and your baby. Specific cheeses that should be avoided include blue cheese, feta, panela, and queso varieties. If the label on the cheese says it is pasteurized, then you are safe. If you are dining out, simply ask someone.
Raw Sushi
Because it can't be cooked, sushi is a food that you will need to say goodbye to for nine months. While you may be able to get plenty of protein from seafood, you could also get an unhealthy dose of bacteria and parasites from the food. If you want to indulge in seafood, it should be cooked thoroughly.
Undercooked Meat
You may prefer your beef sirloin steak rare, but you are going to need to get it cooked at least medium rare while you are pregnant. Undercooked beef can harbor different types of bacteria, such as toxoplasma. All meat should be thoroughly cooked and have reached the desired temperature, such as 160 F for ground beef.
Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
Pregnancy is the perfect time to start eating healthy, which means plenty of fruits and vegetables. However, you will want to ensure you rinse them off thoroughly before eating them. Unwashed fruits and veggies are often home to a parasite known as toxoplasma, which can result in an illness that can potentially be dangerous to your unborn baby. When washing produce, simply rinse with water, and use a vegetable brush to scrub the surface of the fruit or vegetable. If there are any bruised areas, cut them away, as they could harbor harmful bacteria.
For more foods that you should avoid consuming throughout the course of your pregnancy, consult with your OB doctor.