Diet in Pregnancy

Raw Or Undercooked Meats

Keeping You Healthy

Eating raw meats carries a risk of you getting toxoplasmosis which, although rare, can cause damage to your baby. Toxoplasmosis can be present without symptoms – speak to your doctor if you think you are at risk.

Just to add to the misery you should consider avoiding cured meats such as salami, Palma ham, pepperoni etc. However, if you freeze these products for four hours before eating this kills most parasites and makes the meat safe to eat!

Ensure that all meat and especially poultry are thoroughly cooked through and piping hot.

Mould Ripened And Blue Veined Cheeses

Now you are growing a baby – there are
a few foods you should avoid.

Sadly, these much loved favourites are much less acidic than harder cheese and therefore provide a moister and more appealing environment for bacteria such as listeria to grow.

Although Listeriosis is rare, even a mild case can cause miscarriage, severe illness in a newborn or even still birth.

Symptoms to look out for include; a high temperature, nausea and vomiting, aching joints, diarrhoea and chills. If you feel unwell speak to your GP.

Raw Or Lightly Cooked Eggs

Finally, some good news!

In years gone by it was recommended that any eggs consumed must be completely cooked through, leaving homemade mayonnaise and chocolate moose out in the cold.

Not so anymore! As long as the eggs you are planning on eating carry the Red Lion stamp you are good to go. These eggs are considered very low risk for salmonella and are therefore fine to eat in pregnancy.

If you are eating eggs that do not have this stamp, say from your friends chickens, then they must be fully cooked.

Doesn’t that look delicious! Go on treat yourself!

Liver And Pate

I’m crying for you now!

One of my favourites but alas, another one on the avoid list. Liver has high levels of Vitamin A which can be harmful to your baby.

Pate not only contains liver but also carries a risk of harbouring the Listeria bacteria which can cause Listeriosis.

Fish

Some more good news

Most fish is perfectly safe in pregnancy and actually provides a good source of protein and vitamins and minerals such as essential Omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish such as Shark, Marlin, Swordfish, King Mackeral are to be avoided as they carry very high levels of mercury which is harmful to your baby.

Tuna can be eaten during pregnancy but should be limited to 4 cans per week or 2 fresh steaks.

Oily fish such as salmon or trout help your baby’s developing nervous system but should be limited to 2 portions a week.