During the stages of pregnancy, women must have highly nutritious and balanced diet in order to cater the needs of the body. But one must also be cautious with regard to certain food items that can be unsafe if consumed during pregnancy.

1. Consuming raw meat can be dangerous because of the presence of bacteria like salmonella, toxoplasmosis and coliform bacteria. So it is better to avoid undercooked beef, poultry and uncooked seafood.
2. Avoid food items containing raw eggs as it might contain salmonella bacteria. Custard mayonnaise and homemade ice-creams may contain raw egg.
3. If you want to consume deli meat, you must reheat the meat until it is steaming and only then have it. Deli meat is considered to be contaminated with Listeria which can infect your baby. It can even cause blood poisoning.
4. High levels of mercury in the body of a pregnant woman can cause brain damage to the fetus. Fishes with high mercury content are shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.
5. Fishes like bluefish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout and walleye containing high levels of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) should be avoided as it can lower the memory and IQ levels of the baby.
6. Undercooked shellfishes like oyster, clams and mussels should be altogether avoided during pregnancy.
7. Certain studies show that caffeine intake during the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight.
8. Avoid unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses and pate.
9. Avoid smoking and alcohol completely during pregnancy and nursing.
10. Make sure that the vegetables you cook are washed properly.

Drink plenty of water and consume food rich in all nutrients and minerals to give birth to a healthy baby.