Holiday foods to avoid during pregnancy (890 hits)
Even if you've always had an iron stomach, pregnancy weakens your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to food-borne illnesses that could make you sick and harm your baby. So it's important to learn which foods to avoid during pregnancy – even on special occasions.
"The risks are real and need to be taken very seriously," says Linda Katz, chief medical officer of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Dangerous bacteria and parasites like listeria, toxoplasma, salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli can lurk in improperly prepared, cooked, and stored foods. And listeria and toxoplasma can cross your placenta and affect your baby even if you never feel symptoms of the illness yourself.
You may have always licked cookie dough off a spoon, enjoyed Caesar salads with raw egg in the dressing, or ordered your burgers medium rare, but pregnancy is a time to err on the side of food safety, experts say.
Here are some tips to get you through summer barbecues, holiday buffets, and other festive occasions without feeling deprived – or getting sick.
