Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, certain foods that might otherwise be okay to consume could possibly increase your risk for infections, harming your baby. It is best to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider to discuss diet changes they recommend as well as what supplements to consider taking or avoiding. The below are general recommendations when it comes to foods, beverages, and substance use during pregnancy.
Fish with high amounts of mercury
It is recommended that pregnant women avoid fish and seafood that are high in mercury. Some examples of high-mercury seafood are King mackerel, swordfish, shark, and tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico.
It is okay to consume seafood that is very low in mercury (such as salmon, cod, shrimp, and canned tuna) up to two to three times a week or up to one serving of fish low in mercury (such as halibut, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, grouper, and bluefish) once per week. Up to one tuna steak per week is also okay.
Caffeine
It is recommended to limit caffeine uptake to no more than one or two cups of coffee per day and to be mindful of limiting intake of other beverages that might also have caffeine, such as tea or soft drinks. Avoiding the intake of soft drinks is also suggested due to their high sugar content.
Alcohol & Tobacco
It is advised that women avoid alcohol completely during pregnancy as well as when planning pregnancy as no safe amount of alcohol has been determined.
Smoking during pregnancy—including the use of electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products containing nicotine—can increase the risk of health problems for developing babies.
Precut Vegetables & Fruit
Precut produce are more likely to carry foodborn illness such as listeria. According to ACOG, Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. Babies born with listeriosis may have serious infections of the blood or brain. Listeriosis can cause lifelong health problems for your baby.
Unpasteurized milk, cheese, or fruit juice
Avoiding intake of unpasteurized milk and soft cheese is usually suggested to help avoid risks of infections which can potentially be harmful to your baby’s health. Water is a much healthier alternative to sugary drinks such as soft drinks or juices.
Cannabis
The safety of cannabis during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. Dr. Mondestin recommends avoiding the use of cannabis products during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary and specifically recommended by your physician. Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise against using marijuana during pregnancy.
Additional Resources
If you’re looking for an easy way to plan healthy meals during pregnancy, visit the United States Department of Agriculture’s www.choosemyplate.gov.
If you worry about affording healthy food, there is a government program called The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) that helps women and their families get the nutrition they need.
You may be eligible for up to $194 a month in benefits ($646 per month if you’re in a family of four), with NJ SNAP, New Jersey’s Food Assistance Program.
For additional nutritional information, you can visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
For more information regarding nutrition during pregnancy and pregnancy in general, you can visit The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Please note that the information presented here comprises general recommendations that are not intended to replace information that you should discuss with your physician. Different patients have specific needs and it is important to discuss topics like nutrition and diet before, during, and after pregnancy with your medical provider.