What to eat and what not to eat when pregnant

extra calories with nutrient dense foods Rebecca said. So that would be things like lean proteins nuts seeds and whole grains and things that are going to give you lots of extra vitamins and minerals to support a healthy pregnancy.
Foods that induce labor?
Some persistent myths about eating during pregnancy involve foods dates pineapples and unripe papaya for example that allegedly induce labor. These myths drive expecting mothers to avoid those foods early in the pregnancy to avoid going into labor before their baby has developed. Then they often eat these foods late in pregnancy to try to get labor going.
Unfortunately there is no solid evidence that any food induces labor for all people.
When you research it there might be some anecdotal evidence that a food did that for one person Rebecca said. But unless we can prove it does on a recurring basis or repetitively in research we cant really give that recommendation one way or the other.
Is seafood OK to eat?
The idea that you cant eat seafood during pregnancy is a very common myth. Fish is a great source of lean protein and fatty acids that are great for your babys brain. While pregnant you are encouraged to eat two or three portions of fish per week which equals 812 ounces. If you dont like fish you can take a DHA supplement instead.
What is extra important when youre pregnant is making sure you avoid seafood with high levels of mercury which is bad for you and the baby. Canned light tuna catfish cod oysters salmon shrimp and tilapia are among the fish with typically lower mercury levels making them safe to eat while pregnant.
Larger fish that mainly eat other fish tend to have higher mercury levels and should be avoided. That includes bigeye tuna marlin shark swordfish and others.
Foods to avoid during pregnancy
Its important to know what not to eat when pregnant because your choices no longer affect only you. When youre pregnant you need to avoid foods that can harbor bacteria like listeria and cause foodborne illnesses.
A healthy nonpregnant person may have only mild symptoms of a foodborne infection Rebecca said. But for a pregnant woman if they get that foodborne illness it can negatively affect the baby as well.
To avoid foodborne illnesses pregnant women should avoid
Lunch meat or delistyle meat
Soft cheeses like Brie and feta
Softcooked eggs
Unpasteurized dairy
Prepared salads like ham salad egg salad or chicken salad
Raw sprouts