Friends, family, neighbours and in some cases, complete strangers will offer you advice when you are pregnant. But there are many myths and old wives’ tales that persists, many of which revolve around what you can and cannot eat.
HARTMANN Direct have rounded up all the latest advice and suggestions
but always check with your doctor, midwife or health visitor if you are unsure.
Foods
to AVOID
Raw Eggs – raw eggs can be tainted with salmonella, a fever,
diarrhoea and vomit-inducing bacteria that can prove to be incredibly
unpleasant. Be vigilant for dishes that contain eggs that have not been cooked
properly including freshly made mayonnaise (jarred mayonnaise is made with
powdered egg so doesn’t present a problem), some soft desserts and so on.
Sushi – raw fish is not something you should eat during pregnancy,
again because it may contain bacteria that induce illness during what should be
an exciting time.
Unpasteurised dairy products – pasteurisation is the process of
applying heat to milk to sterilise it, killing off bacteria that can spoil the
milk as well as make us ill. Supermarket milk and dairy products are safe but
avoid products and dishes that use unpasteurised dairy products.
This is why pregnant women are
advised to avoid soft cheeses, pates and ice creams as they make contain listeria,
a bacteria that causes illness, although this it is rare.
When you are pregnant, your
immune system is compromised slightly, making you more susceptible to
infections and diseases.
In
Moderation
Caffeine – there are often conflicting messages about caffeine but
the consensus seems to be that curtailing your intake of caffeinated drinks
during pregnancy is sufficient. This means keeping an eye on how many
caffeinated drinks you have in a day.
It is also worth noting that some
drinks have caffeine in that you wouldn’t expect. For example, some hot
chocolate brands can contain caffeine. Stronger drinks such as espresso and
energy drinks are high in caffeine, contain double the amount of recommended
caffeine.
Foods
You CAN Eat!
·
Fruit and Vegetables
There are no fruit and vegetables
that are off the menu when you are pregnant which is great news as they contain
high levels of essential vitamins and minerals.
Increasing fibre in your diet is
also a great idea as this will prevent constipation, an uncomfortable situation
at the best of times but difficult to handle during pregnancy.
All fruit and vegetables, cooked
or raw, are fine during pregnancy and comes down to your likes and dislikes. Eat
five different coloured fruit and vegetables every day – they can be fresh,
frozen, canned, dried or juiced. ALWAYS wash fruit and vegetables before eating
them.
·
Carbohydrates or Starchy Foods
Starchy foods are an important
source of energy, as well as some vitamins and fibre. They also help you feel
fuller for longer but don’t contain too many calories.
Starchy foods include bread,
potatoes, breakfast cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, maize, millet, oats, yams
and cornmeal.
Chips are also on the menu during
pregnancy although you need to watch the fat content of your diet. Make your
own by spraying them with a ‘spray oil’ product or use oven chips without
adding fat or extra salt.
·
Protein
You need to eat protein every day
and there are many foods that contain protein that are safe to eat during
pregnancy;
·
beans and pulses
·
fish
·
eggs (not raw, see above)
·
Meat – but avoid liver and offal
·
poultry
·
nuts
However, choose lean meat and
when you cook it, try not to add any extra fat or oil.
Eggs, poultry, burgers, sausages
and whole cuts of meat such as lamb, beef and pork should be thoroughly cooked
– avoid pink meat during pregnancy.
As for fish, try to eat two
portions a week, one of which should be oily, such as salmon, sardines or
mackerel. There are some types of fish you should avoid, mainly shark,
swordfish, marlin and other kinds of game fish. This is because they live
longer and are thought to contain higher levels of mercury.
·
Dairy
There are plenty or dairy
products that you can still enjoy during pregnancy. They provide calcium
essential for your own skeletal health as well as that of your baby.
Milk, cheese, fromage frais and
yogurt are important during pregnancy but choose lower-fat varieties wherever
possible. Stick to semi-skimmed milk and reduced-fat hard cheese. You can also
enjoy dairy-alternatives such as soya milk and yogurts.
Eating healthily – and not for
two! – will help you and your baby.
HARTMANN Direct supply a range of high quality incontinence
products, including a range suitable for use during and after pregnancy.
