Question

why should the pregnant women avoid the following substances? alcohol, undercooked meats, unwashed produce, cat litter, and caffeine

Answer 1

Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is an important aspect of remaining healthy during pregnancy. Women need to make numerous changes to their diet whilst pregnant, including eating greater quantities of food and specific micronutrients, and also avoiding particular foods which carry health risks for pregnant women.

There are many foods which pregnant women should avoid to reduce their risk of infectious food-borne disease, as many food borne infections are associated with poor pregnancy (e.g. miscarriage) and foetal (e.g. low birth weight) outcomes. In addition, the immune system is weakened during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in the body, so pregnant women have a higher risk of becoming ill from food borne infections. Some foods may also be toxic to a pregnant woman or her foetus if consumed in large amounts during pregnancy, and pregnant women should limit their consumption of these foods.

It is always important to eat nutritious and balanced meals, and it is even more essential to eat the right food when you are trying to conceive (TTC) or pregnant. You and your baby require essential nutrients, protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to ensure a healthier pregnancy.

Most foods are safe, however, there are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy which may potentially be infectious (listeria, hepatitis B, Toxoplasma), and food that contains too much mercury or other harmful agents. (When cooking at home, follow the 4 simple steps of food preparation: clean, separate, cook, and chill.) There are 3 major foodborne risks to pregnant women: listeria, toxoplasmosis, and methylmercury.

When a pregnant woman is infected with listeriosis, she may have a miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, or her newborn baby may become seriously ill and may die.

Listeria is a type of bacteria found in some foods which causes a serious infection called listeriosis. It can take up to six weeks for the flu-like symptoms to occur and if transmitted to your unborn baby can lead to miscarriage, infection of your newborn and stillbirth. The best way to avoid this is through hygienic preparation, storing and handling of food. Ideally, you should eat only freshly cooked food and well-washed, (freshly prepared) fruit and vegetables. Leftovers can be eaten if they are refrigerated promptly and kept no longer than a day.

A varied and healthy diet will give you and your baby all the nutrients you need during pregnancy. But when it comes to the foods you can eat when pregnant and the foods to avoid, are you as clued up as you’d like to be? There are some foods that pregnant women should try to steer clear of, from unpasteurised cheese to liver and mayonnaise.

Meat
Do eat: Well-cooked red meat, as it’s a good source of protein and iron. In some countries, women are advised against eating cold cured meats or smoked meats, because there’s a low risk of listeria infection. In the UK this advice isn’t given, but if you’d prefer not to eat them, don’t.
Avoid: Raw or undercooked meat – there should be no trace of pink or blood. Take particular care with sausages and mince. Cooking meat at high temperatures will kill the bacteria. You should also say no to all pates – not just meat and fish ones, but also veggie. Liver and liver pates are not advised either, as liver contains high levels of vitamin A, which may harm your baby. For the same reason, high-dose vitamin supplements, fish liver oil supplements and any other supplements containing vitamin A should be off your shopping list during pregnancy.
Why? Meat may contain a bacteria that can cause toxoplasmosis, an infection that can damage your baby. Pate can contain a bacteria called listeria. Although it’s rare, listeria can cause an infection called listeriosis, which in extreme cases may lead to miscarriage, stillbirth and severe illness.

Alcohol
Do drink: Lots of water, to keep your body well hydrated. Fruit juice is a good source of vitamin C too.
Avoid: Binge drinking, although some medical experts say that 1 or 2 units of alcohol (1 unit = 1 beer or 1 glass of wine) per week is fine. Many women steer clear of alcohol of any sort while they’re pregnant or even when they’re trying to get pregnant – this is because it’s difficult to know exactly when you’ve conceived so it’s better to try to avoid alcohol altogether.
Why? Alcohol – especially in large quantities – can seriously affect your baby’s development.

Fruit, vegetables and salad
Do eat: Fruit, veg and salads. Of course, these are highly recommended for pregnant women as they’re packed with nutrients and form the base of a healthy diet. But make sure they’re well washed, especially if you’re buying from a market stall, where produce has come straight from the field.
Avoid: Unwashed fruit, vegetables and salad.
Why? Traces of soil could contain toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis. For the same reason, pregnant women are told to avoid changing cat litter trays unless they’re wearing gloves.

Caffeine – coffee and tea
Do drink: Herbal or fruit teas, as these often contain vitamin C and natural ingredients. Instead of your usual cuppa, try decaff coffee.
Avoid: Caffeine – try to avoid any more than 200mg of caffeine. (One mug of instant coffee has 100mg, filter coffee 140mg and tea 75mg.) Remember that caffeine is also found in chocolate (50g bar dark chocolate has 50mg, milk chocolate 25mg) as well as some soft and energy drinks, so check the label! And check cold and flu remedies, as these can also contain caffeine, although seek medical advice before taking any form of medicine while pregnant.
Why? High levels of caffeine can cause babies to have a low birth weight. Too much caffeine can also, in rare cases, cause a miscarriage.