Is It Safe To Include Ice Cream In Your Pregnancy Diet
If youre experiencing some intense pregnancy cravings for ice cream, then dont worry: Theres no need to put down that spoon.Store-bought ice cream is a safe item to include in your pregnancy diet because its made from pasteurized milk and eggs, meaning that the risk of food poisoning is negligible. One thing to note, though: If youre planning to make ice cream at home or purchasing it from a farm, be sure that all the ingredients are pasteurized.
Foods To Avoid When Pregnant
During pregnancy, it’s wise to avoid some foods completely . But many other foods that are otherwise unsafe for pregnancy are actually fine if you take a few precautions, like cooking them thoroughly. You’ll want to steer clear of raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and shellfish, as well as unpasteurized dairy products and juice. But go ahead and enjoy fresh-baked cookies and a hot dog that’s been heated to steaming hot. Here’s more specific guidance on foods to avoid or eat with caution when pregnant:
Roller Coasters: Medium Risk
Jostling, bumping, bouncing, inverting upside downroller coasters are fun, but theyre generally not safe for pregnant women because of their jerky movements, high speeds, pressure changes, and potential impact to your abdomen.
There arent any official studies on this, but its a common-sense precaution many experts recommend. Hang out around the carnival games or arcade and save the roller coaster for after birth.
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Foods To Avoid While Pregnant
You may have already memorized the list of the best foods to eat during pregnancy. But, in terms of what foods to avoid while pregnant, the information you find can be confusing. A friend may tell you that coffee is harmless, while your mom may tell you to never have a cup.
Rather than turn to the internet, it is better to consult a certified prenatal nutritionist or dietitian near you for reliable information. Agnes Padernal, Prenatal Registered Dietitian and Lactation Consultant at Family Health Centers of San Diego, says, In general, people should eat a balanced diet: a meal with fruits, veggies, dairy, proteins and grains. But, depending on how you are feeling, then we can talk about what you should eat.
The foods you eat should be both beneficial and compatible with your condition. Prepare a balanced meal but remember the basic guidelines of types of foods to try to avoid during pregnancy.
A Healthy Pregnancy Diet: What Might This Look Like
Now that we know what nutrients to consider during pregnancy, what does a healthy pregnancy diet actually look like? Throughout pregnancy, the focus should be placed on a balanced diet, explains Cordella. A balanced diet includes adequate calories, lean protein, healthy unsaturated fats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to staying adequately hydrated, explains Cordella. Its also important to keep in mind that youre recommended to take prenatal vitamins in addition to following a healthy diet, as food and drink alone dont provide all the necessary nutrients to support a pregnancy.
Its also worth noting that calorie needs increase throughout the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy although, Cordella explains that you dont typically need to increase your caloric intake during the first trimester. Cordella breaks it down:
- Approximately an additional 340 calories per day are suggested during the second trimester.
- Approximately an additional 450 calories per day are suggested during the third trimester.
These suggestions may be individualized depending on prepregnancy nutritional status, so always refer to the recommendations provided to you by your medical team, she adds.
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Dont Overlook Food Safety
To protect yourself and your baby from harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria, dont eat raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood or eggs, and dont eat leftover food that has been sitting out for more than two hours, says Gidus. Also, stick a thermometer in your refrigerator to make sure the temperature is below 40 degrees, cold enough to stop bacteria from growing. Heat deli meats until steaming hot. With Brie, blue cheese and other soft cheeses, check the label to make sure they are made with pasteurized milk unpasteurized soft cheese can harbor Listeria, which can lead to premature delivery, miscarriage or stillbirth. If theres no label, dont take the chance. Stay away from sushi made with raw fish, but youre welcome to enjoy California rolls containing imitation crabmeat or sushi made with cooked eel.
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Is It Safe To Include Ginger In Your Pregnancy Diet
Youve probably heard about the power of ginger for helping to alleviate nausea, and a trusty cup of ginger tea might be just what you need to help you through any pregnancy queasiness you experience. However, eating ginger in large amounts could lead to heartburn, so be sure to listen to your body if you consume it.
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What Nutrients Are Essential During Pregnancy
Youve probably already heard about the benefits of including folate and folic acid in your pregnancy diet. In addition to a diet rich in folate, it is generally recommended to take a daily prenatal vitamin supplement that contains a minimum of 0.4 mg of folic acid, explains Cordella. This allows you to meet the increased amount of folic acid you need during pregnancy, a total of around 600 mcg. As a B vitamin, folate can help to protect your baby from developing serious problems in their brain or spinal cord. Lots of foods contain folate, from leafy, dark green vegetables to citrus fruits and dried beans, so these are all ideal foods to add to your shopping cart when planning your pregnancy diet menu. Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate that comes in the form of a supplement, and evidence suggests that it can lower the risks of both premature birth and your baby being born with a low birth weight.
You can start thinking about folate and folic acid if youre trying to conceive, too. It is suggested that you start taking a supplement containing folic acid at least one to two months prior to conception or as soon as you find out you are pregnant, adds Cordella. Just remember to always speak to your doctor before starting any new supplements.
Is It Safe To Include Mushrooms In Your Pregnancy Diet
Just like citrus fruits, mushrooms are a great addition to a healthy pregnancy diet, with some added bonus benefits. For example, there is some evidence that eating mushrooms can help reduce the risk of hypertension for pregnant women, while also helping to lower your risk of excessive weight gain and gestational diabetes. Theyre also a great addition to both a vegetarian and vegan pregnancy diet just be sure theyre fully cooked before you eat them.
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Is It Safe To Include Cheese In Your Pregnancy Diet
Good news for cheese lovers: You dont need to strike this food off your pregnancy diet plan completely. Pregnant women should avoid all unpasteurized dairy products, says Cordella. This is because they could contain bacteria, which could lead to a potentially harmful infection. However, you can still include hard cheeses, such as parmesan and cheddar, in your pregnancy diet, and Cordella adds that it is common to find mozzarella, cottage cheese, processed cheeses/spreads, goat cheese, and feta cheese that are made with pasteurized milk, making them safe to eat. So go forth and make up your cheese board. Cordella just advises that you always check the label to tell if a soft cheese is pasteurized.
Raw Undercooked And Processed Meat
Eating raw or undercooked meat can increase your chances of developing toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an illness caused by a bacteria called Toxoplasma gondii, which is a parasite.
Toxoplasmosis can, unfortunately, increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects.
Toxoplasma is also found in cat feces, which is why pregnant folks should give cat litter duty to someone else!
Some other bacteria that can live in raw and undercooked meat and processed meats include:
Processed meats, also known as deli meat or cold cuts, are those typically used for making sandwiches and subs. The reason processed meats are concerning for pregnant folks is because they can become contaminated while being packaged and stored.
If you are someone who loves to eat sandwiches with cold cuts/deli meat, you should ask for your sandwich to be heated.
If the meat is steaming hot, it is safe to eat!
All red meats, like burgers and steaks, should be cooked thoroughly until there is no visible red or pink in the middle.
Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.
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Rare Or Underdone Meat
When it comes to your meat, now is not the time to be seeing pink or red. So while you may have cooked that steak medium-rare before your baby came on board, you’ll now need to refrain from blood-red meat.
Undercooked meat can harbor such bacteria as E. coli, trichinella and salmonella or cause toxoplasmosis.
And if you find that the restaurant burger you ordered came out a little too pink? Don’t be afraid to send it back. Now is not the time to be bashful.
Foods And Drinks To Avoid When Pregnant
Losing weight when youre pregnant should not be considered.
Pregnancy isnt the time to lose weight, Dr. Chien says. However, when youre pregnant its important to be thoughtful about the foods you choose to have a healthy pregnancy.
Dr. Chien helps explain what foods shouldnt be in your pregnancy diet and why.
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What You Can Eat
- pasteurised or unpasteurised hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyere and parmesan
- pasteurised semi-hard cheeses, such as Edam and Stilton
- pasteurised soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, goats’ cheese without a white coating on the outside and processed cheese spreads
- soft or blue cheese that has been cooked until steaming hot
- pasteurised milk, yoghurt, cream and ice cream
Raw Or Undercooked Meat
Avoid undercooked meat, especially poultry, pork, sausages and burgers. Any meat you eat should be cooked thoroughly, should not be pink or have any blood coming out of it. Be careful to cook sausages and minced meat thoroughly. This is because there is a risk of toxoplasmosis, a tiny parasite that can live in raw meat which can be harmful to you and your baby.
It is safe to eat cold, pre-packed meats such as ham and corned beef. Although the risk is low, you may also prefer to avoid raw cured meat, such as parma ham, chorizo, pepperoni and salami. Cured meats are not cooked, so they may parasites in them that cause toxoplasmosis. If you want to eat cured meat you can freeze for 4 days at home before defrosting and eating. You can also eat cured meat that has been cooked, for example on a pizza.
Avoid game meats such as goose, partridge or pheasant as these may contain lead shot.
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Can I Eat Cheese And Milk
Although dairy products are an important part of a healthy pregnancy diet, some are off limits. Avoid unpasteurized milk and some cheeses like unpasteurized brie and camembert, and blue cheeses like Danish blue, gorgonzola and Roquefort as these can carry dangerous bacteria and lead to foodborne illnesses like listeriosis.
Hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan and stilton are safe to eat, as are soft cheeses made with pasteurised milk. This means you can eat goats cheese while pregnant, along with most feta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, ricotta and halloumi, among others.
Botox Injections And Chemical Peels: High Risk
When you use Botox for cosmetic or medical reasons, youre essentially injecting a toxin into your bloodstream. And chemical peels literally involve applying chemical exfoliants directly to your skin.
Since you should avoid exposure to unnecessary chemicals and toxins during pregnancy, these procedures should wait until after birth.
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Foods To Avoid When Youre Pregnant
When youre pregnant your immunity is lower, so you and your unborn baby are more at risk than usual from food-borne illnesses.
Bacteria like listeria, salmonella and campylobacter and pathogens like toxoplasma can cause food-borne illness.
When youre pregnant, this can cause infection in you and your baby, and in extreme cases can result in miscarriage or stillbirth.
For that reason, its advised that you dont eat any of the following foods while youre pregnant:
- processed meats* – pâté, salami, ham and luncheon, for example
- cold pre-cooked meat* – chicken and corned beef, for example
- raw milk and raw milk products
- soft pasteurised cheese*
- pre-prepared or unrefrigerated salads, including rice or pasta salad, coleslaw, roasted vegetable and green salads
- hummus and other dips containing tahini such as baba ghanoush and halva
- raw, smoked* or pre-cooked fish* or seafood*, including sushi, smoked salmon, marinated mussels or oysters
- foods containing raw egg – smoothies, mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce or desserts like mousse, for example
- soft-serve ice cream
- cream or custard, especially in pre-made cakes or pastries .
*Note that these foods are safe to eat if heated thoroughly until piping hot, that is, above 70°C.
Hot Dogs And Deli Meat
That double turkey, salami and onion with extra mustard might be tempting your appetite, but it may not be the healthiest option out there right now.
As a mom-to-be, you’ll want to steer clear of those foods that have been preserved with nitrates and nitrites, chemicals used in food preservation that aren’t good for a developing fetus.
Along with that double-decker sandwich, you might want to forgo hot dogs and pâté. These foods also run the small risk of carrying listeria.
Alternatively, switch to nitrate-free lunch meats and heat them up until steaming to get rid of any bacteria before you eat them .
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Is It Safe To Drink Alcohol And Caffeinated Beverages While Pregnant
In addition to having questions about what not to eat when pregnant, you may be wondering whether you should say no to that glass of wine or cup of coffee.
Drinking alcohol while pregnant is best avoided entirely. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is linked to a higher risk of miscarriage and stillbirth, and excessive alcohol consumption can even lead to fetal alcohol syndrome. Your safest bet is to turn down that glass of wine once you know youâre pregnant.
If you indulged in the occasional beer or wine before knowing you were pregnant, itâs unlikely any serious harm will come to you or your baby. The important thing is to not consume any alcohol for the rest of your pregnancy, because experts believe that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. If you are worried about the effects of any drinks you had before your pregnancy was confirmed, talk to your healthcare provider.
When it comes to drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages, most experts agree that sticking to less than 200 milligrams per day is safe. Thatâs one 12-ounce cup of coffee a day. To give you a rough guide as to what a 200-milligram portion of caffeine looks like in other beverages, it could be 4 cups of brewed black tea, 6 cups of brewed green tea, or 4 cups of cola.
Foods To Avoid In Pregnancy
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Some foods and drinks may increase the risk of harm to you and your baby during pregnancy. It can feel overwhelming when it seems like there are lots of things to avoid, but there are still many things that you can eat if you are pregnant. Some foods may need to be cooked or prepared a certain way and others are best to avoid completely. Here is some information to help you understand how to have a safe diet during pregnancy.
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Better Safe Than Sorry: Know Exactly What Not To Eat During Pregnancy With The Help Of A Certified Prenatal Nutritionist
When pregnant, be careful and find out exactly what not to eat during pregnancy. If there is anyone who can tell you accurately what foods to avoid while pregnant, its a certified prenatal nutritionist and dietitian. Ensure the safe delivery of your baby with the help of a professional. This will also guarantee your babys long-term well-being. If you do go through your pregnancy eating the right way for you, you can be confident that your newborn will be safe from diet-related complications and enjoy their childhood in good health.
Relying on hearsay and the internet is not the best approach. It is true that there are websites that offer legitimate advice, but each pregnancy is different. The foods that you eat should match your current health status, age, symptoms and lifestyle.
To be 100% sure, talk to a professional nutritionist. Having one near you will make you feel confident and safe whenever you get confused about your pregnancy.
Family Health Centers of San Diego specializes in prenatal counseling, as well as complete prenatal care for expecting moms. We have a team of professional and certified nutritionists and dietitians who will guide you through your pregnancy. Our commitment is to help you get through your pregnancy and ensure the safe delivery of your baby through a comprehensive diet plan and regular prenatal consultations.
