A 21-year-old member asked:
I am pregnant, what foods should i avoid to prevent a listeria infection?
4 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Marianne DiNapolianswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 10 years experience
Uncooked/unpasteur.: Unpasteurized cheeses, such as brie, feta, and bleu cheese, are not safe to eat during pregnancy because they could contain listeria. This bacteria can cause an infection in your baby. Other foods to avoid include raw or undercooked meat, shellfish, and eggs.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Einanswered
Infectious Disease 50 years experience
See below: Thoroughly cook raw food from all animal sources.
Thoroughly wash raw vegetables before eating.
Keep uncooked meats separate from other foods(avoid cross contamination).
Do not consume unpasturized milk or cheese.
Avoid soft cheses ie.Mexican style, brie, feta, blue cheeses.
Avoid food from delicatessen counters or thoroughly reheat them.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Amsteranswered
Specializes in Pediatrics
Sushi, soft cheese: It used to be all soft cheeses, but it's really unpasteurized cheeses and homemade cheeses, which contain much more bacteria. Brie and camembert used to be off-limits, but they were ruled ok several years ago.
Raw sushi too, though cooked sushi made around raw sushi may be something to beware of. There is some evidence that cold cuts are also to be avoided.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Listeria: Wash your hands after you handle hot dogs or raw meats. Avoid cross-contaminating fluid from raw meat packages with utensils or food prep surfaces. Ensure hot dogs or luncheon meats you eat have been reheated to the point that they are steaming hot. Avoid soft cheeses blue-veined cheeses; ; mexican-style cheeses. Avoid eating refrigerated pâtés ; meat spreads. Canned or shelf-stable pâtäs ; meat.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowler commented
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Provided original answer
spreads may be eaten. Only eat refrigerated smoked seafood that has been cooked. Only drink milk or eat food w milk products that have been pasteurized. You can eat hard cheese; semi-soft cheeses; pasteurized processed cheeses, cream cheese & cottage cheese. It is ok to eat canned sea food.
Mar 26, 2014
Last updated Jan 5, 2019
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