what can i eat and not eat whilst pregnant?

Question

Hi people, well I am 7 weeks pregnant now and due to go shopping today. I have know that Im pregnant for almsot 2 weeks and I am really wanting to eat the right food so please can somebody tell me what is good for me to eat that will help my babys development. I dont want to eat stuff that will harm the baby and Im fed up with friends saying eat this and eat that and then others saying no you cant eat that even though a certain friend has said its ok to eat it!!! GRRR!! its so confusing and I cant ask the midwife as I dont yet have one!

Answer 1

What not to eat when you are pregnant:

* Raw Meats and Seafood including sushi - all uncooked and rare meats and seafood should be avoided due to high risk of listeria and salmonella poisoning.

* Deli meats including hot dogs - these deli meats might be contaminated with listeria bacteria which may result in miscarriage or even a stillbirth. It's safe to eat deli meats if you reheat them until steaming hot.

* Refrigerated smoked seafood - for the same reason of listeria contamination. It is safe if they are contained in cooked dishes. Canned and shelf-stable versions are safe to eat.

* Raw eggs - raw eggs may contain salmonella. Some Caesar salad dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream and custards as well as Hollandaise sauces may be made with raw eggs. It is best to check with your server in a restaurant; if in doubt, it is best to avoid it. In addition, unpasteurized eggnog should be avoided.

* Fish high in mercury - avoid high-mercury fish such as Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel and Tilefish. Also limit fish intake to no more than 2 servings per week. For more info - read Is it Safe to eat Fish during Pregnancy?

* Soft cheese - avoid the following soft cheeses: Feta, Brie, and Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses, queso blanco, queso fresco and Panela. They are safe to eat if they are labelled pasteurized.

* Refrigerated pâtes or meat spreads - for the same reason of listeria contamination. It is safe to eat the canned or shelf-stable versions.

* Liver - liver is a rich source of iron. However it contains a high level of Vitamin A. Large amounts of Vitamin A can be harmful to the baby.

foods to avoid pregnancy what not to eat pregnant

* Unpasteurized milk and juices

* Alcohol - many documented fetal abnormalities and birth defects have been associated with alcohol use during pregnancy.

Answer 2

Generally you can eat most things but just be careful. Alot of vitamin A is harmful so ease of liver and liver products. You need folic acid for the babys neural tube development, so make sure you are taking supplements, it can prevent spina bifida Dont eat cheese like brie or veined cheese, soft cheese is fine. Dont eat shelfish or swordfish due to the high mercury content. Dont smoke or drink alcohol. Dont eat raw eggs or raw egg products like home made mayonnaise. Go to the food standards agency website, its very helpful. Diet is important to both yourself and the development of your child, dont underestimate it. Once you have a midwife she will let you know. Or you could ask your doctor for the Ready Steady Baby book, you will get this free with your first midwife consultation.

Answer 3

I did not find out i was pregnant until i was 6 months so i ate and frank as normal. Funnily enough i just hadn't felt like drinking alcohol so that was at a minimum.

I had eaten loads of prawns and seafood and lobster Mmmmmm if it came out of the sea i wanted to eat it!!!

I don't do liver or offal anyway!!

But i had drank loads of coffee and tea.

When i spoke to my midwife and explained i don't normally eat that much seafood - she said don't worry about it because my body actually wanted it.

She also said when she was pregnant she craved Coca Cola which is full of sugar and caffeine -

i have got a great book called Healthy Eating in Pregnancy by Amanda Grant

Good luck and congratulations

Answer 4

i know how you feel, I'm getting the same thing from people i know. so far i have gathered that it's best o avoid soft cheese like Brie but normal cheese is OK, avoid nuts if possible but if you get a craving for m+M's or something ti should be OK as long as there is no history of allergies in your family (plz check with your Dr) they used to say that it is good to eat liver but now it's meant to be bad for the baby as it contains to much iron. don't eat soft yolk eggs or any food that may contain raw eggs and make sure all food is cooked properly.
i hope this helps
good luck
if you still ain't sure then type in this web address it will take you straight to foods you should avoid.
http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/nutritioninpregn/a/aaabavoidfood.htm

Answer 5

After giving birth to four children and going through the four pregnancies, I discovered that the best rule of thumb is your own instincts! While I do agree with the answer that suggested that you stay away from raw meats and overly processed meats, I think your body will let you know what you need. When I was carrying my first child I tried a lemonade drink with "Nutrasweet" in it and I knew INSTANTLY that this was bad for my baby! So relax, enjoy being pregnant and use your motherly instincts. :)

Answer 6

NOT:
Avoid liver and liver products- they are high in vit A - can harm baby nerve system;blue cheese, goats cheese, unpasteurised sheep and goats milk,raw meat and fish-harmful bacterias.You should be careful with ready made meals- like cooked and chilled, make sure they are piping hot after reheating.Avoid peanuts and unrefined peanuts product- risk of allergies. Kiwi fruit and pineapple are known to cause allergies too.Eggs should be well cooked- no runny yolks- salmonella poisoning!Alcohol.
DO
fresh veg and fruit- green veg is the best- high in folic acid(you should be taking supplements too).Wholegrain- reduces constipation.Carrots and all yellow/orange veg and fruit is high in beta carotene-your body will change it in safe for your baby vit A.
You will have chat with your midwife soon, she will explain everything to you and if it is yours first baby will give you book -pregnancy and birth.You will find there everything you need to know. And take it easy and enjoy!For me being pregnant is the best time in my life.Followed by best time in my life being mother...

Answer 7

congrats!
do not eat meat which is not well done egg as well - only well cooked
do not eat shelfish
do not eat raw meat or fish - sushi, breasola etc
do not eat green salad in restaurants - it may not be washed well enough. at home wash all greens very well even if it says on the bag ready to eat
do not eat peanuts and similar

otherwise oily fish like salmon, cod, green vegetables - broccoli, brussel sprouts etc are very good, drink lot lot of water, eat what u like but dont eat fro two - eat fro 1 and a half :)
do not drink chamomile tea at all
do not eat very spicy

Answer 8

Literally the ONLY thing that worked for me was a large smoothie. I couldn't keep anything down. Nothing at all. I was weak, disoriented, starved and dehydrated all in one. The nutrients in the Smoothie go directly to the baby and instantly make you feel better after the first couple sips. I felt focused and better than ever. I was full of energy and not nauseous the entire rest of the day. I had a strawberry, blueberry, blackberry smoothie. And it was amazing.

Answer 9

"Ladybird" is so on point with everything. I am preg. and been to the doc, taken classes, and gotten lectured on what NOT to eat, and she is absolutely correct.
However, everything does not affect everyone the same way. it may be hard to stick to that "don't eat list". if you do choose to eat one or some of those items, make sure not do it often. For e.g. i do eat mayo every now and again, but not a lot.

Also, limit your caffeine intake (coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, etc.)

Good luck and dont stess with new diet.

Answer 10

It hasnt actually been proven yet. I was concerned about this at the start cause all i wanted to eat was peanuts. I asked my midwife about it and she said because there was no history of nut allergies in either families it would be grand..