There are so many things you’re not supposed to eat when you’re pregnant because they could be bad for the baby – undercooked meat and fish, soft cheese … even packaged salad! I’m tempted to just eat bread, biscuits and hot chips to be on the safe side. How can I keep eating healthy?
Put. Down. The. Tim Tams. And back away slowly! You most definitely shouldn’t stick to processed and fried foods when you’re pregnant. In fact, you should steer clear of them as much as possible.
There’s a lot of paranoia surrounding foods that could be contaminated with bacteria and are potentially harmful to your baby, such as Listeria and salmonella. While it is important to avoid high-risk fare including undercooked meat and fish, raw eggs, soft cheeses, deli meats, pre-made salads and sprouts, you shouldn’t take it too far and avoid certain food groups altogether.
Genea Medical Director Mark Bowman says food safety is definitely important while you’re pregnant.
“But while I certainly recommend you take a little more care than you may have before you got pregnant, I don’t believe you should let it take over your life and stop you from eating a healthy and varied diet. Both you and your growing baby need plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, vitamins and sources of iron and calcium. It’s a common sense approach,” Associate Professor Bowman said.
It’s essential to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegies, lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats to obtain all the nutrients your baby needs, so as long as you follow proper washing and cooking guidelines, both you and your baby should remain safe and healthy.
If you’d like to know more about which foods to eat and which to avoid during pregnancy, read Healthy Pregnancy Diet.
