What foods to eat/avoid

O.k I am VERY VERY new to this, as of yesterday I found out that we are pregnant!

My biggest worry is what to and what not to eat. I have heard various things on this subject, but would like to know where to get the best advice from or books to read up about it. I am planning on getting "Up the Duff" as I have heard good things about it, but I don't know if it includes anything about food you can eat.

I travel the country for my job (flying and driving), so prepared lunches are definately not an option for me. I would normally have Subway, Sushi or grab a salad from Maccas most days. I am very health conscious and a bit of a fitness freak by the way so I don't do deep fried or anything like that!!!

What does one do now that pretty much all these foods are a no go??

Depends how anal you want to be- some people take it to the extreme and others just keep eating normally.

In general the 'things' to avoid are Pate, alcohol, soft mould ripened unpasturised cheeses, any cold pre-cooked meat (ham etc), sushi, excess caffine, liver, raw or under cooked eggs and shell fish that isn't fresh.

You can also include buffet food, soft serve ice cream, preprepared salads, larger fish such as Marlin, Shark and swordfish. I chose not to eat chicken from other places just incase it hadn't been handled or cooked properly and avoided things like custard squares, cream buns etc if they weren't fresh that day.

Its completely up to you how far you take it. Some people get really heated about not avoiding too much- I used to get such a hard time from other Mums about being so pedantic. Just do what feels right for you

Check out http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/food-safety-topics/foodborne-illnesses/pregnancy/index.htm they have a great list and sensible advice.

Jen is right - its a personal choice that you need to make. I personally think that so long as you are sensible - and avoid the really bad stuff things will be fine!

Congrats on the pregnancy!

 

 

Definately avoid anything with chicken at Subway - I know two people who have had severe food poisoning from their Subway chicken meals.

Well if you take advice from every book and person and internet site you won't be eating anything at all! So it's really important to decide on what you are comfy with and leave it at that.

Things I avoid are... raw eggs, meat not completely hot, pate and sushi (don't like them anyway), and most alcohol and caffeine. I occasionally have had a glass of wine (especially this pregnancy cause I kept forgetting I was pregnant lol) and deli ham or soft cheese if I keep it refrigerated and only on day of purchase. If you really get cravings for cold meats, you can have the salamis and hams that are freeze-wrapped (I think that's what it's called?) rather than sitting all day in the deli.

When it comes to eating out, I have no problem with getting a burger if it is fresh and totally hot; and I would be careful of chicken and ham from subway but otherwise tuck in.

Like everyone has already said, people all draw the line in completely different places so it's really up to you.

It really is your call, I know some that wont eat anything they haven't prepared themselves, and others that eat whatever they please.

Basically for fast food I microwave it before consuming and I personally wouldn't have subway, but that is only because my local one they put the meat on then using the same hands handle the salad ingredients so if the person before you had ham the listeria could transfer over.

What I have found though is my body almost protects me, the thought of ham makes me feel sick, and I normally love ham, and same for other so called bad foods

I've avoided all sea food and processed meats. I haven't cut back on mayo or any kind of dressings etc. I think it's your call, when I had my son 11years ago I was never told to avoid anything...now though it's completely different....