If you are pregnant and you actually are tempted by the thought: what not to eat when pregnant first trimester. You will see a lot of valuable info on that topic, as well as tips, guidance, thoughts, and answers to questions related to being pregnant, proper nutrition and diets.

During pregnancy, we must make some changes and adjustments in our routine and lifestyle, because now our body has different needs that we must take care of and take into account so that everything works correctly.

what not to eat when pregnant first trimester One of these changes is in the diet, as there are certain foods that are more likely to contain harmful microorganisms that cross the placental barrier and that can affect the baby that are not recommended at this stage. We share 18 foods that are prohibited during pregnancy and can harm your baby .

Foods forbidden during pregnancy

1. Raw milk

Raw milk is the milk of cows, sheep, and goats (or any other animal) that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) portal, raw milk can carry dangerous bacteria , such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, and others that cause eating diseases.

These bacteria can be found in raw milk, as well as in derived products. Remember that boiling raw milk is not enough, the only way to guarantee that it is safe is to buy pasteurized milk .

2. Unpasteurized dairy

Like raw milk, unpasteurized dairy could contain listeria, so we must make sure that all dairy products specify on their labeling that they have been pasteurized or made with pasteurized milk .

what not to eat when pregnant first trimester guide Pregnant women are at serious risk for listeriosis caused by the bacteria Listeria , a bacteria commonly found in protein-rich foods served raw or without reheating that can lead to miscarriage, premature labor , infection or death of the newborn.

Unpasteurized dairy products include those derived from milk such as yogurts, creams, ice cream or frozen yogurt, and soft cheeses.

3. Unpasteurized soft cheeses

Like unpasteurized dairy products, we must be careful with certain types of cheeses, due to the risk of listeriosis they present, particularly soft or Mexican-style cheeses , such as: brie, feta cheese , camembert, white cheese, fresh cheese, panela cheese.

It is important that they bear the seal that they are made with pasteurized milk and not buy them in markets where we doubt the refrigeration they have had and the packaging.

4. Roquefort cheese

Roquefort cheese or blue cheese, which belongs to the group of soft cheeses that have stretch marks, is better avoided during pregnancy because they present a greater risk of being contaminated with the bacteria.

The cheeses that are safe to consume during pregnancy are hard cheeses , such as cheddar, extra-hard cheeses , such as parmesan, and cheeses semi – soft , like mozzarella. Pasteurized sliced ​​cheese, spreadable cheese like cream cheese, and cottage cheese are also considered safe to consume.

5. Raw or smoked fish

Raw fish and / or foods made from raw or smoked fish and shellfish are more likely to contain parasites or bacteria than foods made from cooked fish.

Therefore, the consumption of raw and / or smoked fish and shellfish or that are not well cooked should be avoided to avoid the risk of listeria or anisakis, a worm-shaped parasite that lives in the digestive tract of fish, cephalopods and marine mammals.

Some examples of this are sushi (with raw fish that is not properly frozen to -20 degrees properly), smoked salmon, fish carpaccio, fish tartare or fish ceviche.

6. Raw seafood

According to the FDA, pregnant women should avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish such as prawns, prawns, oysters, clams, mussels and oysters due to the risk of anisakis.

It is also not recommended to eat the heads of shrimp because they have a high content of cadmium, a metal capable of causing kidney dysfunction.

7. Bluefin tuna and other large fish

Although fish consumption during pregnancy is good due to proteins and nutrients such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, there are certain types of fish that we should avoid during this stage, because they contain very high levels of mercury . Large high-mercury fish to avoid include bluefin tuna, shark, swordfish, King Mackerel and pike.

The Spanish Agency for Consumption, Food Safety and Consumption (Aecosan) recommends that pregnant women or those who may become pregnant, women who are breastfeeding and young children (between 1 and 30 months, avoid consuming these fish) .

To continue consuming fish and obtain all the benefits that they can provide during pregnancy, we can choose safe and low-mercury options such as: salmon, shrimp, cod, sardines, anchovies, trout, tilapia and canned tuna.

We hope you have received all the details regarding: what not to eat when pregnant first trimester. Leave your feedback and reveal your perception and ideas concerning: what not to eat when pregnant first trimester. We are usually available to answer all your questions concerning pregnant state, healthy and balanced eating in addition to diets. Stay with us!

Stephany Bennett

Dr. Stephany Bennett is a registered nutritionist with an MD from the University of Pittsburgh. She uses her research background to provide evidence-based advice on diet for pregnant women. She is a firm believer that nutritional science is an ever-changing field, so her pregnancy diet recommendations combine classic methods with the latest findings.

Stay in the loop

Subscribe to our free newsletter.