Pregnancy is an extremely special time of a woman’s life. It’s filled with changes and new experiences. Your body is charged with hormones and there’s new life developing inside you. Given all the transformations that are taking place, the subject of what to eat, and also what not to eat get’s a whole new meaning.
Food and dietary matters is all important for pregnant women, as they are eating for two (or perhaps more). Yet, it can often become a somewhat murky area. There’s so much misinformation floating around out there that the facts become confused with the myths. Yet, despite all the mystery surrounding food and pregnancy, experts suggest that drastic changes aren’t necessary.
Most nutritionists suggest that pregnant women beware of certain foods, while completely steering clear of others. A lot of this is general knowledge, but when you delve into the exact details, the fine print as it were, it can get rather confusing. It becomes difficult to decipher what’s actually bad for you.
Things only get worse once family and friends chime in; eager to offer their own experience and their own anecdotes, they tend to offer less insight and more gossip than any good factual information. Even the stranger in the bus sitting next to you, or the clerk at the grocery store will chime in and offer their own bits of wisdom which can be all the more disconcerting. Facts get mixed up with stories and anecdotal evidence.
Nor does it help that every day a new article seems to come out suggesting that such and such a food is dangerous or that alternatively, it’s actually not so dangerous and that it does have some good effect. One day your favorite food is on the dangerous to eat list, and the next day it’s not. All this information ends up boggling the mind.
Often when it comes down to it, this wealth of extraneous and incomplete knowledge leaves you more confused than you started off.
However, despite all the hullaballoo, when it comes down to what you should and shouldn’t eat when you’re with child, there are some simple basics you should keep in mind. Think smart, eat smart. Don’t go overboard. Stick to a healthy diet.
There are some general guidelines you should keep in mind when pregnant. Most of these actually apply to every day situations, whether you are or aren’t pregnant.
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, remember to wash before you eat. This goes for items with rinds and skins too; avocado and melons, for instance are known to contain bacteria that can be transferred from the skin when cutting into them.
Cook foods thoroughly, until they are quite well done. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Pay special attention to poultry and game, and foods containing eggs as well as other types of meat such as pork and fish.
Wash your hands before and after handling meat products.
Don’t indulge in high fat junk food. Remember moderation is key.
According to the FDA women who are or may be pregnant and nursing should stay away from fatty fish such as swordfish and mackerel. These are known to contain toxic amounts of mercury.
Canned and shell fish are safer options.
Alcohol should be avoided.
