Stuff to Avoid During Pregnancy

Sorry mom!
The following things to avoid are good guidelines for a lifetime of health – not just now that you’re preggers. 


WHAT YOU DON’T GET TO EAT FOR A WHILE

Seafood
FDA recommends that you eat 12 ounces of safe seafood a week – but are their recommendations coming from a concern for your baby’s brain development or for the financial ties to the fishing industries? Be on the safe side get your Omega 3s from flax seeds and vegetarian supplements.
If you need to get your fish on – choose small portions of safer smaller fish like anchovies, crab, herring, pollock, sardines, squid or tilapia.
Definitely avoid swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish and locally caught bluefish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout, and walleye.

To avoid ingesting harmful bacteria or viruses, avoid raw fish and shellfish — especially oysters and clams — and anything caught in polluted water. Refrigerated smoked seafood is also off-limits, unless it's an ingredient in a casserole or other cooked dish. (so no smoked seafood like lox, nova style, kippered, or jerky fish.

Unpasteurized foods
Unpasteurized cheese and dairy products may contain the bacteria listeria. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which may be life-threatening.  Listeria may also be found in raw or undercooked meats.
Unless these soft cheeses are clearly labeled as being made with pasteurized milk, don't eat brie, feta, camembert, gorgonzola and blue cheese or Mexican cheeses (which are frequently made with raw milk) Deli meats may be contaminated with listeria in addition to being downright icky.

Raw Meat: Uncooked seafood and rare or undercooked beef or poultry should be avoided because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella.

Raw Eggs: Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella. Some homemade Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards, and Hollandaise sauces may be made with raw eggs

Caffeine
Sorry delicious lattée! Caffeine can cross the placenta and affect your baby's heart rate and breathing. Too much caffeine may be associated with a small decrease in birth weight or an increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. A recent study suggested that just 200 milligrams of caffeine a day during pregnancy may slow fetal growth.

Cut out the coffee and replace it with water-decaffeinated black or green tea with honey, fruit juices, lemon rinds, cinnamon, or cloves.  Chamomile, peppermint, spearmint, ginger and raspberry teas are generally safe.  Avoid senna, black cohosh, licorice, or any teas that contain stimulants or laxatives.
If you are in “need” of caffeine, consume caffeinated beverages (or chocolate) in moderation, and in between meals, as it may interfere with the absorption of iron at meals.

Alcohol
One drink isn't likely to hurt your baby, but no level of alcohol has been proved safe during pregnancy. The safest bet is to avoid alcohol entirely. If you are aching for a drink, try a mimosa or a bloody mary – so at least the alcohol is hiding under vitamins.

Fruits and Vegetables
Even these need some extra attention:
Unpasteurized juices, such as cider purchased from roadside stands, at farms, or in stores. These products are prone to germs, including E. coli. Check the label to be sure juice is pasteurized. Juice your own at home with veggies and fruits you buy and wash yourself.

Raw vegetable sprouts, including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean. The FDA says sprouts are not a good idea for anyone, never mind pregnant women who are more susceptible to the health effects of the germs sprouts possess.

Smoking
QUIT! But you knew that already

Fake foods
Some artificial sweeteners: Aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame-potassium are used in many foods such as soft drinks, desserts, yogurt, fruit spreads, salad dressings, chewing gum, and candy. Avoid using saccharin or cyclamates.
Read labels for artificial flavors & colors.


WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD PROBABLY AVOID

Limit your exposure to plastics. Never microwave in plastic or plastic wraps. Wait till leftovers cool down before you put them in plastic containers. Safer still – use glass containers.

Avoid heavily using your cellphone. Get a headset and keep the phone away from your body – in a purse or bag – never in a pocket!

Avoid pesticides, definitely the dirty dozen. Buy organic! Ask farmers market vendors about their pesticide use – local doesn’t always mean clean!

Use safer cosmetics. Avoid parabens and softeners or conditioners. Read labels and ask questions!

Buy and use safer paints and cleaners in your house. Look online for simple ways to clean – vinegar, salt and simple dish soap go a long way.

please email me for more information or to arrange a free consultation.