Diet and pregnancy

There are all sorts of worries once a woman becomes pregnant. She may be worried about her health, the health of her baby, the changes in her body, changes in her relationship, the list goes on and on. However, a real concern for many pregnant women, is what they should and should not eat. We have become much more aware of the potential harmful effects of certain food. This knowledge has led to many women having much healthier pregnancies and babies. While every pregnancy is different, and every pregnant women unique, there are certain guidelines that are recommended for everyone. Should you have any concerns it is advised that you check with your health care professional. Here is some guidelines about diet and pregnancy.

• Proceed with caution-It is worth noting that catching a disease, from eating an unsafe food, is very rare. However, where you are able to it is best to reduce the potential risk, as much as possible. Today there are so many dietary choices that pregnant women can easily avoid many of the unsafe foods.
• Consider cheese carefully-While there may be nothing you love more then wonderful ripe brie, it is important to know that this type of cheese poses a risk to your baby. The following cheeses should be avoided while pregnant, due to the risk of them containing Listeria. This is a harmful strain of bacteria that can be extremely dangerous for your baby. You should pass on the: pate, any soft ripened cheeses such as Brie and Camembert and any blue veined cheeses.
• Cook your eggs well-If you are a lover of a soft runny egg, this is also something else you should give up during pregnancy. Eggs are potential carriers of salmonella. This food borne bacteria can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. While you are pregnant it is recommended that you cook all eggs, until both the yolk and the while are sole. You should also avoid any foods that could contain raw eggs. This includes: mayo or mousses that could contain raw eggs.
• Be careful handling food-While this step doesn't necessarily deal with what to eat or not eat, it is advised that all pregnant women take extreme caution when handling raw meat or poultry. These items can contain bacteria that are harmless after the meat or poultry is cooked. However, if a pregnant woman accidentally ingests these bacteria, it could harm her unborn baby. Careful food preparation and handling is always a must.
• Drink the right kind of milk-Many people drink untreated milk, love it and have no problems. However, for an unborn baby, untreated milk can pose a serious health risk. Experts advise that all pregnant women drink milk that has been pasteurized to insure the safety of the product, for their baby. Keep in mind that at home pasteurization is nearly impossible and is best left to dairy professionals.
• Pass on the shellfish-While most seafood is completely safe, oysters and mussels can contain harmful viruses and bacteria. Pregnant women are advised that if they choose to eat shellfish that they only eat cooked items. This way the risk is greatly reduced of contracting a food borne illness. The general rule is that any uncooked fish or any kind is best left to enjoy after your baby is born.
• Pay attention to the date-While most foods are completely safe within a short time of their "use by" date, it is recommended that pregnant women eat food that is as fresh as possible. This way your baby is much less likely to be exposed to a food borne contaminant.