What to Eat and What Not to Eat During Pregnancy

[SantiR]

Hello guys,

I was recently talking to a friend of mine who is pregnant. I was very interested in what kind of diet she follows to keep her baby and herself healthy during pregnancy time.

So, I made some research and found a list of foods to eat while pregnant, and some other foods to not eat during this time and I wanted to share this with you.

What to eat?:

• Eggs: Quality protein and more than 12 vitamins and minerals.
• Salmon: Omega 3-s. Will boost your mood.
• Beans: Contains the most fiber and protein of all the vegetables. Iron, folate, calcium, and zinc.
• Sweet Potatoes: Vitamin A, C, folate, and fiber.
• Whole grains: Fiber, vitamin E, selenium, and phytonutrients.
• Walnuts: Omega-3s.
• Greek Yogurt: Calcium. Contains twice the protein of regular yogurt.
• Dark green, leafy vegetables: vitamin A, C, and K.
• Lean meats: high quality protein.
• Colorful fruits and veggies: Vitamins and minerals.

What not to eat?:

• High-mercury seafood: Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Mercury can impair a baby's developing brain and nervous system.
• Unpasteurized (raw) milk and juices: Listeriosis, a bacterial infection that can be dangerous to your baby. Avoid these beverages.
• Refrigerated meats and deli salads (unless steaming hot): Listeria contamination. Safe to eat if you heat them to steaming hot (165 degrees Fahrenheit) before you eat them.
• Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, and eggs: Salmonella and the parasite Toxoplasma; can cause health issues to the baby.
• Raw sprouts and unwashed raw produce: Bacteria. Avoid raw alfalfa, clover, raddish, and mung bean sprouts.
• Unpateurized cheese: Risk of Listeria contamination. Feta, brie, camembert, fresh mozzarella, blue cheese, gorgonzola, limburger, queso blanco, and queso fresco. You can eat if the label says that the cheese is pasteurized.
• Energy drinks and excessive coffee: Increased blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms. Stimulants like guarana, ginseng, yerba mate, and green tea extract are not safe for pregnancy.

I got this info from a webpage which is www.babycenter.com.

So now, I want to know your experience. I want to know if you have more information regarding this and if there are any mothers readings this... What can you tell us or advice to future mothers on what to eat during pregnancy?

I hope you find this interesting. Keep me posted! 

[WendyB]

Very interesting. I have a pregnant friend whom I will point top this thread.

What to eat makes since. The what not to eat, the third one surprised  me,  but I can understand why

[AutumnMoonfire]

I was a maternal newborn nurse and I would add to this, watch your sugar/simple carb intake even if you don't have gestational diabetes. 

Also, with regard to mercury, it's best not to eat commonly caught lake fish while pregnant. most of them are predator fish that concentrate mercury. It's also best to limit the intake of young children and potentially pregnant women. 

[SantiR]

@AutumnMoonfire Awesome contribution to this! Thanks you very much! I'm sure a lot of future mothers will appreciate this.

@WendyB Was this helpful to your pregnant friend? Hope it helped! 

[shipo]

I would argue the benefits of consuming raw milk products from certified dairies far outweigh the exceedingly small chance of any bacteria harming the baby.  

[WendyB]

@SantiRYes it was. She was very greatful and did not know some of the things listed.

[WendyB]

@SantiRCould of sworn I replied yesterday. Must of been when board was going Wacko 🙂

Yes it did help my friend. She knew some but not all and was very happy with the info

Thanks!

[SantiR]

@WendyB I see your two posts! Yeah, that day the board was not functioning correctly.

I'm so glad that the tips helped your friend! I think that this kind of little things is always good to know. We are what we eat!

[wingetolivia]

As a mom who went through this twice, I’d add that hydration is something people forget. Lots of water + iron-rich foods saved me from major fatigue.
And if anyone comes from a culture that follows confinement traditions, postpartum food matters too. I’m not super traditional, but I did try modern confinement meals from Tian Wei Signature, and they were surprisingly tasty and not overly “herbal”. Helped with recovery and breastfeeding.