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Dietary Cautions

7 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

By Donna Smith

, Dr. Carson says. "You can kill the bacteria by cooking the meat thoroughly," she says. "Although any individual can be infected by the bacteria, pregnant women have reduced immune systems and so are more susceptible to the effects of the bacteria, which can also infect their fetus. Other healthy individuals who eat a food with Listeria would usually complain of a gastrointestinal illness, but a pregnant woman can more likely develop the serious illness listeriosis, which could be fatal."

Lanah Jo Brennan, a registered dietitian in Los Angeles, Calif., agrees. "Bologna may contain Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, causing listeriosis, an infection that may lead to miscarriage in early pregnancy or stillbirth in the second and third trimesters," she says. "Also, bologna and other deli meats may contain sodium nitrite as a preservative, which has been identified as a carcinogen and may be linked with an increased risk of fetal brain tumors." If you must have bologna, Brennan suggests choosing one that does not contain sodium nitrites, and to heat until steaming to kill any bacteria.

As an alternative, Dr. Carson suggests using home-prepared sandwich fillings, such as turkey breast. "Peanut butter would be another healthy sandwich filling," she says.

Did you know that a source of bacteria is what gives blue cheese its color and flavor?

"Soft cheeses, such as blue cheese, and deli meats cause approximately 32 percent of the cases of listeriosis," says Dr. Eldridge Pearsall, a bard-certified OB/GYN practicing in Beverly Hills and Van Nuys, Calif. "Pregnancy, especially in the third trimester and especially with multiples (twins, triplets, etc.), is a predisposing factor in developing this infection. There is a 20 percent mortality rate, second among foodborne infections."

Want to see more?

• Pregnancy Diet Don'ts: Foods to Avoid While You're Expecting
• Eating for Two Healthfully: Dietary Needs During Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Nutrition from A to Z: A Comprehensive List of Nutrition Issues for Moms-to-be
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!

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