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Dietary Cautions

7 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

By Donna Smith

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When women are carrying a precious life inside of them, they are cautious about almost everything, especially what they eat. Karen Phelan, a first-time mom-to-be from Groton, Mass., has made dietary changes since learning she was expecting. "My doctor provided literature at our first visit on good nutritional health," says Phelan. "Additionally, my family and friends have offered various suggestions on diet and foods to avoid based on their experiences with pregnancy."

Phelan also took matters into her own hands. "Based on my research, advice from doctors, friends and family, I have been avoiding all caffeine, sushi, deli meats and soft cheeses," she says. "Everything in moderation has been the mantra of choice and [I] have been using Google to check any products when I am unsure. Fruits have been the one group that I make special efforts to consume. Overall, I have made a concerted effort to make healthy lifestyle choices."

"Basically, the concern is to not eat foods that could contain bacteria, especially harmful bacteria, because during pregnancy a woman's immune system is reduced and her body does not function as well at killing bacteria that enter her body," says Dr. Jo Ann S. Carson, professor of Clinical Nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. "The bacteria can pass to the fetus and may be especially harmful to the fetus."

Here are 7 foods mom-to-be should consider not eating until after her bundle of joy arrives.

1. Bologna

Because it is a processed meat, bologna may contain a bacteria called Listeria

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