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Do you know which foods are safe to eat while you’re pregnant? Protect yourself and your baby by learning which foods you might want to avoid during your pregnancy.

When you’re pregnant, all foods are not created equal. Yes, it’s important to eat a variety of foods, but certain “food types” can actually make you and your growing baby more susceptible to disease and bacteria. Here are six food types that you’ll want to be aware of.

Deli & Processed Meats: Those delicious sandwich meats you get from the corner deli could be infected with Listeria, a bacteria commonly found in soil, stream water, sewage, plants, and food. While Listeria is usually harmless to ordinary people, it can be extremely harmful to unborn babies, because of its ability to penetrate the fetus( see Todar’s Textbook of Bacteriology). Pregnant women have a lowered immune system than non pregnant women, and so are more susceptible to Listeria. To avoid contamination, make sure that Deli or processed meats you consume are cooked until they are steaming hot, to make sure any bacteria is killed.

Raw Meats: Some foods, especially traditional ethnic dishes, are made with raw meats. Raw meat should be avoided at all times, because of it’s increased likelihood of containing numerous bacteria.

Fish with High Mercury Contents: While most fish is healthy, and is a good choice for pregnant women, some fish can contain high levels of mercury, which if consumed by your baby could result in developmental problems and in some cases braindamage. Fish known to contain higher than usual levels of mercury include Tuna, Swordfish, Sea Bass, Shark, King Mackeral, and Tilefish.

Raw Eggs: Raw eggs have the potential of carrying bacteria, especially salmonella (see questions and answers on salmonella). Some common food products, such as some forms of ice-cream, salad dressing, and mayonnaise are made with raw eggs, and so have a higher likelihood of containing salmonella. If you’re not sure whether the products you have at home are made with raw eggs, contact the manufacturer or avoid eating them until you can find out.

Unpasteurized Cheeses: Unpasteurized cheeses should also be avoided, because they may contain Listeria. The most common types of unpasteurized cheeses include Feta, Brie, Gorgonzola, Camembert, and Mexican cheeses such as queso. However, these same cheeses should be safe to consume if they are pasteurized.

Unpasteurized Milk, Juice, Beverages: Like cheeses, any unpasteurized drink, including milk and juice, carries the potential to carry life threating bacteria, like Listeria. To be safe, drink only pasteurized milk and juices, and contact the manufacturer if you’re unsure.

Finally, and perhaps most important, is to remember that alcohol and drugs are probably the most dangerous and most likely to cause serious health problems for your unborn child, including death. Numerous prenatal diseases and complications are caused by alcohol and drugs everyday. So do what’s right for your baby, and avoid them at all cost.With healthful tips in mind, you should be able to make some smarter eating choices during your pregnancy.