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If you're an "information hound" like I am, I'll bet you've done a lot of surfing the web and scouring the bookstores for information on healthy eating during pregnancy – specifically, which foods you CAN or CANNOT put in your mouth (which seems to change on a daily basis)! Some pregnant women have an insatiable appetite, while others can't stomach the thought of eating at all. During my pregnancy, I had a bit of both - it was a definite LOVE/HATE relationship between me and my food! But regardless of whether you feel like eating or not, you NEED to know what NOT to eat now that you're eating for two. I remember questioning A LOT of things. Things like smoked salmon, tuna, cream cheese, even tea? The frustrating part was that I felt that nobody had any good information! In fact, many people (even the doctors) gave me conflicting advice. So, I did my own research, I looked on labels, asked my nutrition buddies, and read all my nutrition books. The long and short of it is that there ARE some general rules about food "safety" and eating healthy during pregnancy. Rule # 1: Keep it HOT! The FIRST and most important rule is to make sure you cook your food REALLY well and avoid eating leftovers (especially those that are more than 24 hours old!). If you do have to eat leftovers, make sure you heat them well to kill any bacteria that may have formed. Rule # 2: Stay away from GERMS! AVOID any foods that can carry Listeria (a bacterial infection that can be harmful to your growing baby). Some examples are: 1. Soft cheeses (like brie); 2. Raw fish (including sushi); 3. Uncooked meats; 4. Cold rice; and 5. Unpasteurized honey. If Brie or Sushi are your favorites, just remember that you've only got a little bit longer to go. Once your baby arrives you can go back to those foods that you've missed! Rule # 3: Something's FISHY! Stay away from fish that contain high levels of mercury - i.e. shark, swordfish, kink mackerel, fresh tuna, sea bass, and tilefish. The American Pregnancy Association has indicated that canned tuna is safe to eat but only in moderation (i.e. no more than 12 oz. per week). Rule#4: Keep it COOKED! Stay away from any raw eggs - including Caesar dressing, unpasteurized eggnog, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards that contain raw eggs in them. Raw or undercooked eggs don't reach high enough temperatures to kill off the harmful salmonella bacteria. Rule #5: Herbal is not always Harmless! If you're into herbs and essential oils, it's important to avoid things like peppermint, basil and oregano oil because they're known to cause uterine contractions - exactly what you DON'T want! So, before you add, what you might think are "harmless herbs" to your food, make sure you're educated on which herbs you CAN or CANNOT have and which one's you need to eat in moderation! The Bottom Line... Now that you're pregnant it's IMPORTANT to be mindful of what you put in your mouth - so do your best to focus on high quality, highly nutritious foods! Eating healthy during pregnancy takes a little effort, but goes a long way for both you and your baby. If you're worrying about something you've already eaten, that's totally normal! We've ALL questioned things we've put into our mouths - but instead of panicking, talk to your doctor and avoid those "questionable" foods from this point forward! For lots more TIPS on which foods you SHOULD eat during your pregnancy, including techniques on HOW to outsmart your food cravings, plus specific exercise and beauty advice (learn which muscle give you a flat tummy post-partum!), read my kit at... www.pregnancywithoutpounds.com
Article Source: http://www.pregnancywithoutpounds.com/articles
Michelle Moss is the celebrated author of Pregnancy Without Pounds (www.pregnancywithoutpounds.com) and Mommy Without Pounds (www.mommywithoutpounds.com)
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