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During this holiday season we offer a special article written by the experst at the Arizona Pregnancy Riskline, colleagues of the poison center. The riskline is a statewide public service that provides accurate information to callers about possible effects a medication or substance may have during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Top 10 Seasonal Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

Some drinks and foods commonly served as appetizers or main courses during the holidays can lead to pregnancy problems, including:

1. Spiced Cider or Wine
Many spiced ciders contain alcohol. Spiced wine is also a commonly served drink around the holidays. If you are not sure if there is alcohol in what's being served to you, ask. Also, avoid those drinks that might contain wine, beer or liquor.

"Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is a leading cause of mental retardation," says Sara Riordan, a genetic counselor at the Arizona Pregnancy Riskline and clinical instructor at the UA College of Pharmacy.

2. Rum balls & Chocolate
Rum ball may be delicious, but they are not a good idea during pregnancy.Unfortunately, most rum balls actually do contain some alcohol. If you are craving chocolate, reach for something that doesn't contain alcohol. It's great to indulge a little bit when it comes to chocolate. Just also be aware that chocolate contains caffeine and pregnant women shouldn't consume more than 300mg of caffeine per day.

3. Eggnog
It's okay to enjoy an eggnog latte (as long as you stick with less than 300mg of caffeine per day), but make sure to avoid the eggnog with brandy or other alcohol! Pasteurized eggnog can be a delicious treat, but alcohol should be avoided.

4. Soft Cheeses (Panela, Cotija, Queso Fresco, Blue-Veined Cheeses, Brie, Feta, Camembert)
These soft cheeses can contain the bacteria listeria monocytogenes. This bacteria can cause listeriosis, an infection that can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, uterine infection, premature labor, and death in the newborn. To be safe, avoid eating soft cheeses during pregnancy unless they are part of a dish that has been cooked, such as a casserole.

5. Lunch meats
Hot dogs and luncheon meats are also places listeria monocytogenes bacteria like to hang out. Make sure to reheat them until they are steaming hot.

6. Pate
Refrigerated pates or meat spreads can also cause listeriosis, so it's best to avoid them during pregnancy. If you're craving a spread, try peanut butter, almond butter or pasteurized cream cheese.

7. Imported Candies
Lead has been found in some consumer candies imported from Mexico. Lead has also been found in the wrappers of some imported candies. To be safe, stick to non-imported candies this holiday season. High levels of lead during pregnancy can cause learning impairment, low birth weight, premature delivery, and miscarriage.

8. Undercooked Turkey & Ham
Food poisoning can affect everyone, including pregnant women. Make sure meat is cooked at the correct temperature for the correct amount of time. Using those meat thermometers will help do the trick! If you aren't cooking the meat yourself, make sure you check with the chef to ensure it's cooked all the way through.

9. Tuna
For all of you tuna tartar lovers, just remember the recommendation for fish consumption during pregnancy is no more than 12 oz. of fish per week since it contains methylmercury. Large predator fish (tuna, shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel) are more likely to contain higher amounts of methylmercury. High levels of methylmercury can lead to birth defects such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and blindness.

10. Smoked Seafood
Remember that pesky bacteria listeria monocytogenes that makes those delicious soft cheeses off-limits? It turns out it can live in smoked seafood too. Don't eat refrigerated smoked fish unless they are ingredients in a dish that has been cooked. Examples of refrigerated smoked seafood include salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, and mackerel, which are most often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked," or "jerky."

The Arizona Pregnancy Riskline is proud to be affiliated with the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a North American organization supporting education and research about exposures during pregnancy and lactation. OTIS provides fact sheets answering questions about common medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you have other poisoning concerns or question call the toll-free national hotline at 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison center. If you live in Arizona outside of Maricopa County, this number will get you to our experts at the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center in Tucson. Check out our Web site for more information