Thanksgiving Foods To Avoid While Pregnant

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Thanksgiving is a time of fun, family, and food. When you’re pregnant, the food part may be a source of even more excitement. But proceed with caution. Some Thanksgiving foods are ill-advised to moms-to-be. Keep you and your baby safe by avoiding the following Thanksgiving dishes.
  • Undercooked Turkey
    • Listeria risk
  • Unpasteurized Cheeses (ie. feta, brie, blue cheese, and goat cheese)
    • Listeria risk
  • Unwashed Vegetables
    • Toxoplasma Gondii parasite risk
  • Wine
    • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome risk
  • Stuffing Cooked Inside Turkey
    • Listeria risk
  • Smoked Meats
    • Listeria and E. Coli risk
  • Cold Leftover Turkey
    • Listeria risk
  • Batters and Pies Containing Raw Eggs
    • Salmonella risk

As you can see, most of the foods to avoid are bacteria risks. The bacteria that poses the largest threat, Listeria, is a bacteria that causes Listeriosis, which can lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, and premature delivery. Salmonella poisoning is less severe but still dangerous. It can cause dehydration, meningitis, reactive arthritis, and passing salmonellosis to your baby. Don’t let this put a damper of your Thanksgiving though. You can still have plenty of delicious food and, most importantly, spend time with your family!

By: Alecia Stanton



Alecia Stanton