1. Soft Cheeses
Eating Mexican queso blanco or other soft cheeses during pregnancy can be risky. Those made with unpasteurized milk can harbor Listeria bacteria, which has been linked to miscarriage, premature delivery, and death. It’s best to avoid brie, camembert, feta, blue cheese, queso blanco, queso fresco, and Panela – unless the label says it’s pasteurized. When in doubt or dining out, ask before you eat.
2. Undercooked Meat
This can be dangerous for anyone. If you usually take your steak rare, you might want to ask for a well-done piece until your baby comes. There are a variety of bacteria, including toxoplasma, that can live in raw meat, so try to avoid ingesting it. This also means that you should keep your counters and cutting boards clean and sanitized.
3. Sushi
Same deal with sushi – if it’s raw, don’t eat it. All that raw fish can house parasites and bacteria that is dangerous for an expectant mother. The FDA recommends that pregnant women only consume fish and seafood that has been cooked thoroughly.
4. Potlucks
In a situation where you cannot confirm the source of your meal, it is best to opt out. In the case of potlucks, you don’t know how long that potato salad has been sitting in the sun or if the meat has been thoroughly cooked in that fried chicken. To avoid awkwardness, avoid potlucks.
5. Unwashed Fruits and Veggies
Even if it is fresh from the garden or orchard, you should still wash all fruits and vegetables before you eat them. You don’t know what kinds of pesticides or parasites might on on the surface, or if you get your fruits and vegetables from the grocery store, you don’t know how many people have touched them.