Pregnancy Diet And What Not To Eat
from Lose Weight Reviews

What you need to know about a pregnancy diet

When you are pregnant, you are eating for two.

This goes beyond the common belief that you need to eat more calories, it also means that you need to watch the nutrition that you have as well.

Going even further, your pregnancy diet also contains a laundry list of items that you should avoid when you are pregnant. This is because they could contain toxins or bacteria that could make you and the baby very sick.

Meat

Your pregnancy diet needs to contain plenty of protein for your growing baby, but not all meat is good for you. Raw meat should be avoided because of the risk of bacterial contamination, including toxoplasmosis and salmonella. Also on the “to avoid” list is deli meat, since it can contain listeria, a bacteria known to cause infections in unborn children that can lead to a miscarriage.

Fish

Some fish are fine for you to eat as part of your pregnancy diet, but you should be careful. Fish that have high levels of mercury, such as swordfish, shark, and some tunas, should be avoided.

Some sushi fish can also be contaminated with mercury. Smoked seafood can be contaminated with listeria if it is served fresh at the deli counter. Canned and shelf-safe seafood is generally lower in mercury and bacteria, but still should only be eaten in moderation. Shellfish in general should be avoided, particularly if it is raw.

Eggs

Eggs can be a great source of protein in your pregnancy diet if they are cooked. Raw eggs, however, can harbor salmonella. Be wary of homemade dressings, ice creams, and other recipes that use raw eggs. It is generally safe if the recipe is cooked at some point.

Read labels of commercial products you buy at the store and inquire at restaurants to make sure that the eggs that they use in their products have been pasteurized. Most commercial products like ice cream and dressings are safe to eat.

Dairy

You will need to increase your calcium intake for your baby, especially in the third trimester. However, for your pregnancy diet you should avoid soft cheeses such as Brie, Feta, and Gorgonzola. These may contain listeria.

Non-imported cheeses made from pasteurized milk are generally safe to eat. You should also avoid other unpasteurized dairy products, including milk. Again, this is because of the risk of exposure to listeria.

Beverages

One of the things to watch out for during pregnancy is the amount of caffeine that you eat and drink. Most doctors recommend that you keep your caffeine intake under 300 mg per day, though for some the number will be even lower. High levels of caffeine have been linked to miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weights.

Another thing to avoid on your pregnancy diet is alcohol. It can interfere with fetal development, and too much alcohol can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome and other disorders.

Read more diet and weight loss related articles here

More lose weight information