10 foods and drinks to avoid during pregnancy

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Expectant mothers need to pay very close attention to their dietin order to ensure a proper intake of nutrients and energyfor themselves and their unborn baby.

How?

First of all, by carefully considering which foods it would be best to exclude (or at least limit) from the diet, so as to avoid the possibility of contracting infections harmful to themselves and to the baby. Here are some behavioural guidelines on the foods to eat with caution or to exclude from the diet.

1. Fish at risk of mercury contamination. The fish species considered at risk of mercury contamination are mostly swordfish, tuna, eel and blue shark: they should be avoided because this substance has been linked to possible developmental damage in the unborn baby, particularly to the brain; be careful too with other types of fish, such as trout and salmon, which could be contaminated as a result of water pollution in some areas.

2. Raw eggs. Any food containing them carries a possible risk of salmonella infection; so be careful with mayonnaise and other fresh homemade egg-based sauces, as well as creams and desserts that are only briefly cooked, such as crème brûlée, mascarpone, custard, tiramisu and zabaglione.

3. Raw meat and fish. Rare steaks, undercooked poultry, fresh pâté and raw seafood could cause bacterial contamination and the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis or salmonella; be careful too with sushi, sashimi, raw fish and fish preserved raw or only partly cooked, as well as oysters and other raw shellfish.

4. Cured meats. Particularly raw or only partly cooked meats; the risk is that they may be contaminated by the bacterium responsible for listeriosis, an infectious disease that could cause problems for the unborn baby.

5. White-rind cheeses. These are cheeses such as brie, camembert and taleggio, and they should be eaten with care because of the possibility of contracting listeriosis if they have been contaminated; there is less risk if they are part of hot dishes that require long cooking.

6. So-called "blue" cheeses. In particular gorgonzola and roquefort, which should only be eaten in dishes that require long cooking; be careful too with unpasteurised cheeses such as fontina.

7. Poorly washed fruit and vegetables. Be careful with fruit and vegetables that have not been washed properly, including packaged produce labelled as ready to eat: always wash very thoroughly to avoid the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.

8. Artificially sweetened foods and drinks. Artificial sweeteners should be avoided, as their consumption by pregnant women has been linked to possible damage to the development of the unborn baby, particularly damage to the brain areas dedicated to learning and hormonal control.

9. Raw milk. Unpasteurised milk could carry the listeria bacterium; if you do decide to drink milk, you should choose pasteurised milk only.

10. Alcohol and caffeine. Drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, could interfere with the development of the unborn baby and also prove harmful after birth, during breastfeeding, a period in which it should be avoided; caffeine should be avoided (or at least consumed in strict moderation), since excessive consumption has been associated with premature births and the possibility of miscarriage.