Greater Risk Of Holiday Food Poisoning For Pregnant Women Means No Eggnog, Cheeses, Seafood, Etc.

AUSTIN, TX — Pregnant ladies like to say they're eating for two (sometimes more, in the case of twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.), and it's true. But the risk of food poisoning rises during the holiday season given the abundance of food, and pregnant women are at greater risk.

Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer about this. But it's important for women who are pregnant to be extra conscious of the food they eat to avoid the scourge of food poisoning and other health-related issues.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers helpful tips on what foods to avoid while pregnant. Yes, cravings. But women bearing children should resist mightily from ingesting certain holiday fare nonetheless.

In a bit of tough love, the CDC advises pregnant women to avoid a range of holiday treats. That means no eggnog, seafood or the range of delectable cheeses found on holiday tables. Sorry. Here's what they advise:

• Avoid raw or unpasteurized milk and products made with it, such as soft cheeses. Raw or unpasteurized milk and products made with it can contain harmful germs, including Listeria. Avoid drinking raw milk and eating soft cheeses, such as queso fresco, Brie, Camembert, feta, goat cheese, or Roquefort, if they are made from raw or unpasteurized milk. Do not eat or drink other raw or unpasteurized products, such as juice or cider.
• Be careful with seafood. Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it is in a cooked dish, such as a casserole, or unless it is canned or shelf-stable.
• Be aware of holiday beverages. To reduce the possibility of fetal alcohol syndrome, watch out for alcohol-containing holiday punches and eggnogs. Avoid eggnog entirely unless you know it contains no alcohol and is pasteurized or made with pasteurized eggs and milk.

You can still enjoy the holiday season given the food bounty of the holiday season. But avoiding the aforementioned food and drinks will help ensure a happy holiday not just for you, but baby as well.

>>> Image via foodsafety.gov