One of the best things about pregnancy is that you can eat, a lot, with no judgement.
Even when you’re sitting in front of a plate full of food, people will still try and feed you, because you are, after all, eating for two. It’s awesome.
Still, while pregnant your body takes over. It tells you what to eat and doesn’t take “no” for an answer.
Watermelon, NOW.
Peanut butter and coleslaw, NOW.
A frozen banana, WHAT?!?
And if you want to, you should go for it. Eat what your body (or the baby) tells you that you need to eat. Have fun. Enjoy. But be careful.
According to the NSW Food Authority and multiple other sources such as the book What to Expect When You’re Expecting, you should do your best to avoid these foods while pregnant:
And then there are some foods you might want to cut down on:
ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE
When I first fell pregnant 13 years ago I was told to cut out caffeine and consume alcohol “moderately”. Then, four years later when I fell pregnant again I was told the exact opposite – to cut out alcohol and consume caffeine moderately. So knowing what to do during which pregnancy can be tricky.
The latest advice according to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is to “abstain from drinking alcohol” while trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
And moderate consumption of caffeine is the recommendation from Better Health Victoria.
SODIUM
Sodium in all it’s forms affect a person’s blood pressure as well as fluid levels, so pregnant women should aim for balance when it comes to salt consumption. According to WhatToExpect.com and Better Health Victoria, approximately six grams of iodine-fortified salt is recommended during pregnancy.
TINNED TUNA
Due to the high level of mercury in some fish Food Standards Australia recommends pregnant women limit the consumption of the following fish to two to three serves per week, including orange roughy, marlin, shark, tuna and swordfish.
Listen: Bec Judd tells Monique Bowley all about her pregnancies in the podcast Hello, Bump. Post continues…
But as with all pregnancy health advice, it’s highly recommended that you consult your doctor about any and all food choices and see a pregnancy nutritionist if need be.
Top Comments
I wonder what the world of nutrition says about the good bacteria to be found in soft cheeses. Has this old info been tested against current knowledge about gut bacteria? You hear more stories about medications causing problems to foetuses than foods..
Pfft.. I ate all those foods while pregnant. What to expect when you are expecting is outdated and belongs in the trash
Same! Also oysters, prawns, sushi, blue and soft cheese, ham, pate...I decided, based on the evidence that about a dozen people contracted listeria annually, it was not a risk. I felt it was far more important to avoid sugary treats, baked goods, processed and fast foods anyway. As well as portion control - you are not eating for two, but your caloric requirements increase by about 800-1000 per day which is equivalent to a piece of peanut butter toast.
Finally some sense on this topic! Unless we travel to a developing country, we are more likely to get struck by a bus than contract listeria. Meanwhile pregnant women are avoiding this long list of nutritious foods and eating junk (eg. chocolate, ice cream etc.) that leads to excess weight gain and poor health.