Future mothers should give up unhealthy eating habits during the nine months of pregnancy. A healthy daily diet for pregnant women should include nutrients, vitamins and minerals that help the child develop. Women should make wise decisions when they choose what they eat because some foods that may seem healthy can harm the child.
Choose meat dishes carefully
Sausages and processed meat should be excluded from the diet. They are delicious, but they may contain listeria, a dangerous bacteria that can cause miscarriage.
Fish is thought to be one healthy ingredient in a diet because it has omega-3 and fatty acids. Though there are some risks for pregnant women who eat fish, because some species are more vulnerable to mercury pollution. So it's best to avoid, for example, shark meat, canned tuna and swordfish. They may contain mercury that can lead to slow fetal growth.
If a pregnant woman wants to eat meat, the most important rule is to be sure that it is well cooked.
Avoid the eggs during pregnancy
Raw eggs and any foods containing raw eggs should be avoided during the months of pregnancy because of the danger of contamination with salmonella. Eat boiled eggs instead of scrambled eggs, replace mayonnaise with yogurt and choose fresh fruits instead of ice cream.
Choose only pasteurized dairy products
The latest studies show that the baby is protected from osteoporosis in adulthood if its mother drinks milk during pregnancy. A daily glass of milk is a good habit for women during the nine months of pregnancy. Be careful, though, because unpasteurized milk may contain listeria, which endangers the life of the fetus. For the same reason, a pregnant woman should avoid soft cheeses such as feta, brie, camembert or gorgonzola.
Give up caffeine
Pregnant women should avoid both coffee and beverages that contain caffeine. These also include green tea and black tea. Many studies have shown that moderate consumption of caffeine does no harm, but there are other studies that suggest that this substance may cause miscarriage. Future mothers can enjoy a cup of coffee, but they shouldn’t drink more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Caffeine is a strong diuretic that helps eliminate fluid from the body, and can lead to calcium loss and dehydration.
Avoid alcoholic drinks
There are no studies that clearly show that a glass of wine or beer doesn’t harm the mother or child during the nine months of pregnancy, so it is best to eliminate alcohol from the diet. This will affect the developing fetus that may have birth problems, and can lead to premature birth or miscarriage.
The pregnancy diet should include fruits, vegetables, lean meat, whole grains and natural juices. These will help a future mother to feel more energetic during the pregnancy days and will help her not to gain too much weight.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic, Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy (accessed April 18, 2011)
- American Pregnancy Association, Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy (accessed April 18, 2011)
- www.foodsafety.gov, Checklist of Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy ( accessed April 18, 2011)
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Alina Barbu - Radio journalist in Bucharest and freelance writer, interested in travel destinations, health, diet and nutrition topics, food and ...
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