Three Types of Food to Avoid While Pregnant

You took the test. You know you’re expecting. You’ve worked through the shock and now you have a plan to carry your baby to term. Maybe you’ve even started to crave certain foods. Hello, pickles and potato chips anyone? Just below the doctor’s visits and checkups, eating healthy should be near the top of your list of things to keep in mind for a healthy pregnancy.

Eating right throughout your pregnancy can impact your child’s health not just during the nine months you’re pregnant, but also for their lifetime. While there are many foods that probably aren’t a good idea to eat during pregnancy, we wanted to remind you of these three types of food to avoid while pregnant.

Seafood and Fish High in Mercury

This includes larges fish like shark, tilefish, swordfish and mackerel. These types of fish include a high degree of mercury. Mercury interferes with the development of your baby’s brain and nervous system.

A small amount of tuna is OK. The USDA recommends limiting intake of fish low in mercury to 12 ounces a week. This includes canned tuna, sardines, tilapia and catfish.

Raw or Undercooked Meat and Eggs

This list includes raw meat, raw shellfish like oysters and clams, sushi, unpasteurized eggs, and unfortunately, raw cookie dough. By eliminating these foods from your diet while pregnant you lower your risk of foodborne illnesses that come about through bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Make sure that you also check all poultry with a thermometer (165 degrees) and cook eggs until they are no longer runny.

Luncheon Meats and Unpasteurized Dairy

These types of foods might be convenient but they are prone to listeria monocytogenes, bacteria that causes listeriosis. Listeriosis is very dangerous to pregnant women because it can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. You also will want to include in this list hot dogs, deli meat, and meat spreads.

So what should you eat?

Whole and lightly processed foods. Plenty of fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. Also we recommend you drink a lot of water during your pregnancy.

For more information on eating throughout your pregnancy we’ve included this link. Always be sure to check with your doctor if you have questions about certain foods.

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/foodstoavoid.html

Pickles anyone?

So what is/was your favorite food while you were pregnant?

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Will My Insurance Pay for My Girlfriend's Abortion Pill?

August 11, 2026

If your girlfriend is facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering the abortion pill, you're probably wondering about costs and whether insurance will cover it. Before considering the abortion pill, it’s vital that your girlfriend receives an ultrasound. We offer these at no cost with no insurance necessary. She can schedule a free, confidential appointment online at Collage. Can Your Insurance Cover Her? Health insurance covers the policyholder and enrolled dependents. A girlfriend typically isn't a covered dependent on your plan, which means your insurance generally won't pay for her medical care. The exception is if she's been added to your plan as a domestic partner and your employer allows that. Additionally, you may be able to extend insurance coverage to her after marriage if your policy allows this as a qualifying event. However, the chances of insurance covering an elective abortion are unlikely. What About Her Own Insurance in Nebraska? Under Nebraska law , standard health insurance plans in the state cannot cover elective abortion unless the insured purchases a separate abortion rider. Medicaid in Nebraska covers abortion only in limited circumstances. In most cases, the abortion pill in Nebraska will be an out-of-pocket cost. What She Should Know About the Drug The abortion pill uses two drugs. The first, mifepristone , blocks progesterone, a hormone required to sustain the pregnancy. The second, misoprostol , taken a day or two later, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. The FDA approves this drug regimen through 10 weeks of gestation. Nebraska law also requires that the abortion pill be prescribed and administered in person by a physician. Complications can include heavy bleeding, infection , incomplete abortion, and digestive system discomfort. If the drug does not fully end the pregnancy, a follow-up procedure might be required. Getting the Facts First A free ultrasound at Collage confirms your girlfriend’s gestational age, whether the pregnancy is in the uterus, and whether the pregnancy is progressing. An ectopic pregnancy (when the pregnancy implants outside the uterus) requires different medical treatment than abortion, and could be life-threatening if left untreated. An ultrasound can rule out this complication. Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Collage today. Call: 308.234.9880 in Kearney or 308.675.2217 in Grand Island. *All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing. **Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

Young woman thoughtfully learning about the abortion pill before making a pregnancy decision.

Understanding Abortion Pills: What to Know

July 21, 2026

Learn how the abortion pill works and what to expect. Colllage center offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and more. Contact us.

Why Does an Ultrasound Matter Before an Abortion?

June 28, 2026

If you're considering abortion, there's one medical step that protects your health before anything else. An ultrasound confirms your pregnancy and provides information that a positive test alone cannot.