If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

A pregnant woman understands that a healthy diet is essential to her health, as well as the health of her unborn child. However, there are certain foods a mom-to-be should avoid altogether or reduce the consumption of to minimize the risk of food-borne illness from harming a developing fetus.

Eliminate the following foods altogether:

· Soft cheeses: such as brie and feta *pasteurized cheeses, as well as cottage cheese and cream cheese are okay*

· Deli meats · Undercooked meats

· Raw foods: such as eggs and fish

· Shellfish: such as clams and oysters

· Fish that may contain high levels of mercury: such as shark and swordfish

Additionally, care providers recommend reducing the consumption of the following food items:

· Caffeine: limit to 300mg

· Alcohol: limit to four units a week, which is a glass of wine or pint of beer

· Peanuts: particularly if you or someone in your immediate family has allergies related to asthma, eczema, or hay fever

· Tuna: cut back to two medium-sized cans a week

· Nutritional supplements: always check with your care provider before taking any non-prescribed vitamin or supplement

Questions about how to maintain a healthy diet while pregnant should always be discussed with your care provider.