So, you're wondering which foods to avoid pregnant?
Well, that tells me that you've just found out the good news! Yay!
I'm so happy for you!
It's an exciting and happy time.
But, I know that it can also be very overwhelming!
One of the first questions that new mummas ask me is which foods they need to avoid.
So, in today's video, I'm going to reveal my list of the 21 most important foods to
avoid when pregnant, and when you can eat them again!
Stay tuned!
Hello!
If this is our first time connecting, welcome!
My name is Melanie McGrice and I'm a fertility and prenatal dietitian.
I help couples boost their fertility and give their baby's the best possible start in life with
the power of good food.
Make sure you subscribe to my channel and connect with me on my socials.
You can find all of my handles in the description box below this video.
So, although I usually like to focus on what to eat instead of what to avoid, I know that
when you're newly pregnant your first goal is to simply ensure that you're protecting
your little bubba from harm.
So, let's get into my list!
In no particular order.....
Number 1. Alcohol.
Although technically not a food, it is really important to avoid because not only
can it cause Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, but emerging research has linked alcohol to increased
anxiety levels in babies.
Secondly, foods that are over their 'used by' date
It may sound obvious, but now that you're pregnant
if you're unsure, throw it out.
Next is ham.
It's a common sandwich filler because it's quick and easy, but it has a high listeria
risk and it's not all that rich in nutrition anyway.
Replace it with tinned tuna.
Next is salami.
In addition to having a high listeria risk, salami is high in saturated fat.
So, give it a miss.
Raw meat - I love sashimi and beef carpaccio, but the listeria risk is too high during pregnancy.
Once you've given birth, you can eat these again.
Next is pate.
Pate is high in vitamin A which can cause toxicity during pregnancy.
It's also another high listeria risk, so even though it is yummy, wait until you're holding
your little one in your arms.
The next one on my lit is chilled prawns.
Now this is another of my favourite foods too.
Prawns are also rich in nutrition, particularly protein and omega 3, but they are a listeria
risk, so if you're going to eat them, all you have to do is make sure you serve them steaming hot.
Next is chicken stuffing.
If you want to eat chicken stuffing, you'll need to make sure that it's
cooked completely separately and served hot.
Next is camembert.
To eat camembert, ensure that it's cooked to over 75 degrees Celsius (which
is 170 degrees Fahrenheit) and eat it immediately.
But, be careful not to burn your tongue!
Unfortunately brie and blue vein cheeses are also on the no go zone.
The next one is bocconcini.
Although slightly higher in kilojoules, I'd recommend swapping bocconcini for parmesan.
Because it's a much safe option during pregnancy.
The next cheese is ricotta.
Here you can replace ricotta with cottage cheese.
It still has some risk, but it's not nearly as high as ricotta.
Just make sure that you eat it within two days of opening the pack.
Next one on my list is soft serve ice cream.
Instead of indulging in a soft serve ice cream, treat yourself
to a delicious, creamy yoghurt instead.
Number 13. Mayonnaise.
Both mayonnaise and its cousin aioli contain raw eggs which have a high risk
of bacteria, so avoid them during pregnancy.
Which brings me to undercooked eggs.
Although a runny egg yolk can be delicious, it can also be a breeding ground for the bacteria, salmonella which
can be harmful to your unborn baby.
To reduce your risk, ensure that eggs are well cooked during your pregnancy.
Number 15. Alfalfa sprouts and mung beans.
Basically all sprouts should also be avoided during pregnancy.
Number 16. Unwashed produce.
The surface of unwashed or unpeeled fruits and vegetables can be affected
by unwanted bacteria, so during pregnancy it's safest to give them a quick wash before consuming.
And make sure to store them in the fridge.
Next is store bought fruit juice.
When fruit juice is sitting in the store for weeks on end,
it gives bacteria the chance to grow.
It also decreases its nutritional content.
If you want fruit juice, squeeze your own and drink it immediately.
Next on the list is soft drinks and diet soft drinks.
I've lumped these into one. Whether drinks are sweetened with sugar or alternative
sweeteners, emerging research suggests that they can increase your bubba's risk of weight
issues and metabolic syndrome down the track, so stick to water or milk.
Number 19. Foods containing excess sugar.
In general foods that are high in refined sugar such
as chocolate, cakes and biscuits should be avoided during pregnancy as you need to be
focusing on nutrient-rich foods instead.
Number 20. Flake.
Which is high in mercury.
If buying fish and chips, order fish such as barramundi or flathead instead of flake.
And finally, number 21. Herbal teas.
Herbal teas are medicinal which means that they can impact the health of you
and your baby.
Check out my video on which herbal teas are safe during pregnancy.
Phew!
Well, now that you know what NOT to eat, download my free pregnancy meal plan so that you know
what you CAN eat!
Just go to www.melaniemcgrice.com/pregnancy.
Then check out my website for more nutritious and delicious pregnancy recipes.
I'll look forward to seeing you in my next video!