1. Raw Fish and Shellfish

Consumption of raw or undercooked fish and shellfish is not allowed to be consumed by pregnant women. This is because these fish, seafood, or shellfish may contain bacteria or parasites that can cause foodborne illnesses, such as Listeria.

Infection caused by Listeria can cause symptoms including fever, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. If this happens, pregnant women may become dehydrated due to losing a lot of body fluids. Infection caused by Listeria can also cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth.

Sometimes pregnant women do not feel any symptoms, even though the infection can be transmitted to the fetus. Some of the health problems that can affect the baby are intellectual disability, paralysis, seizures, blindness, and problems with the brain, kidneys, and heart. So, it is a big no no for sashimi and even undercooked sushi while pregnant.

Pregnant women experience changes in their immune system, making them more susceptible to infections. Actually, not only are raw and undercooked fish, seafood, or shellfish prohibited, but pregnant women need to be aware of the mercury content in certain fish, such as shark, mackerel, swordfish, and bigeye tuna.

Pregnant women should avoid raw or undercooked fish and shellfish.

2. Raw Meat

Similar to raw seafood, consumption of raw and undercooked meat is also prohibited for pregnant women, including beef or poultry. These meats have the risk of being contaminated with Salmonella, Toxoplasmosis, and E.coli bacteria. The effects on the unborn baby can vary, such as:

• Toxoplasmosis: blindness, hearing loss, developmental delays, and heart, liver, kidney and brain problems.

• Salmonella: miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and fetal death

• E.coli: premature rupture of membranes, premature birth, and stillbirth

In addition to raw and undercooked meats, pregnant women are also prohibited from eating deli meat. What is deli meat? Deli meat is cooked meat that has been sliced and prepared to make light meals, such as sandwiches, cold cuts, and sliced meats. Again, this type of meat can contain Listeria.

3. Raw Eggs

Do you think that only raw eggs should be avoided? If so, the answer is wrong. Not only raw eggs, but pregnant women should also pay attention to other preparations that contain raw egg-based ingredients, such as mayonnaise, caesar dressing, custard. This is because these products have the potential to be contaminated by Salmonella.

Eating eggs is good for pregnant women, but they must be perfectly cooked

If you want to eat, cook until cooked

As mentioned earlier, not only raw food, but pregnant women are also not allowed to eat undercooked food. Therefore, the basic ingredients must be cooked to a certain internal temperature, it would be better if measured using a food thermometer. Here are the minimum temperatures:

• Fish and shellfish: 63°C

• Meat: 71°C (ground) and 63°C (cut)

• Poultry: 74°C (cut and ground)

• Eggs: 71°C

In conclusion, the 3 food groups that should not be consumed during pregnancy are fish and shellfish, meat, and eggs. So you can't eat them at all? Yes, as long as they are cooked thoroughly or reach the minimum internal temperature. During pregnancy, you have to be patient first, if you like sushi, hold back a little!