Pregnancy Food Guide

When one becomes pregnant she becomes responsible for not only her own health but also for the health of the growing fetus inside of her. It is important that she takes good care of her body by staying physically fit and maintaining a diet that involves nutritious foods. Since there are a lot of information out there regarding nutrition for the expectant mother, many of them find it confusing with regards to who and what to believe when it comes to food that they should have and food that they should avoid. Doing research by talking to doctors or other experts about a pregnancy food guide guide will help a lot so women should take down notes and follow their pieces of advice thoroughly.

Experts agree that the one thing women should avoid when they are pregnant is raw or undercooked foods. They should stay away from seafood like sushi, sashimi, shellfish, clams, oysters, mussels, and the like. This will expose the growing fetus to harmful bacteria and parasites that will affect their health immensely. In addition to these, women should also avoid eating seafood with high levels of mercury such as swordfish, mackerel, and shark. A better alternative would be to stick to salmon, catfish and shrimp because they have lower levels of mercury and they contain omega-3 fatty acids which will help in the baby's brain development.

They should also be wary of eating anything that are made with eggs that could be undercooked because they could be tainted with salmonella which will lead to fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some food that could contain raw or undercooked eggs include cake batter, cookie dough, homemade sauces and salad dressings, eggnogs, and meringue for dessert. However, food that are made with pasteurized eggs or fully-cooked eggs are allowed as long as they are eaten in moderation. Pregnant women can enjoy a freshly baked cupcake or two every now and then.

When it comes to milk and cheese pregnant women should make sure to consume only pasteurized milk and cheese because they have been heated during production to kill bacteria. Beware of soft cheeses that could contain listeria which is a bacteria that could put both mother and baby in grave danger. As long as there is no label in the cheese that says it is pasteurized then it is best to stay away from it. Pregnant women should avoid the following: feta, bleu cheese, goat cheese, Brie, Camembert as well as Mexican-style cheese.

The pregnancy food guide recommends that women stay energized most of the time so she can go for walks and keep fit during her entire pregnancy. For protein they should eat food like eggs that are fully-cooked, poultry, and fish. For carbohydrates they should eat a good amount of fruits and vegetables along with whole grain cereal. Healthy snacks such as olive oil or nuts should also be included in their diet. It is advisable to eat every three hours while she is awake to keep hunger pangs at bay. It is also important to drink lots of water and to keep herself hydrated but she should still stay away from sweet beverages, coffee, and other juice drinks.

This article if for information purposed only. It should not be used to diagnose, treat or cure anything. Please consult with your physician regarding any dietary changes or food plan.