Q&A: Food concerns during pregnancy
Q&A: Food concerns during pregnancy
Topics
• Foods to avoid
• Seafood to avoid
• Artificial sweeteners
• Being lactose intolerant
Are there some foods I should avoid eating while I'm pregnant?
A: Yes, there are certain things you need to be aware of when it comes to eating. For starters, possible environmental toxins make eating raw seafood a potential risk to a fetus. Therefore, eliminate uncooked clams, oysters, sushi, and sashimi from your diet. Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs can also carry food-borne bacteria, which means that you should steer clear of rare hamburgers and steaks, homemade mayonnaise, and Caesar salad (the dressing can contain undercooked egg). And to be on the safe side, avoid herbal teas and any other herbal home remedies, especially ones that contain comfrey. Their effect on pregnancy is not well documented.
Are there certain seafoods I should avoid while I'm pregnant?
A: Seafood, a lowfat, nutritious protein source, can be incorporated into a balanced diet for pregnant women. However, the FDA has issued a warning to pregnant women regarding specific types of fish. According to the FDA, there are four types of fish that pregnant women should avoid: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, because they could contain enough mercury to damage the brain of a fetus.
Are artificial sweeteners harmful to my baby?
A: Artificial sweeteners have gotten a bad rap. That’s not to say that soft drinks are nutritionally equivalent to fruit juice, because nothing could be further from the truth. However, there’s no evidence that artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame (sold under the Equal or NutraSweet brand names), used in moderation are harmful to pregnant women or a baby in the womb.
What should I do if I'm lactose intolerant?
A: Many people who are lactose-intolerant still can eat cheese, enjoy yogurt in small amounts, or drink lactose-reduced milk. If you can’t tolerate even these foods, you must carefully plan your diet so it includes sufficient amounts of other calcium-rich foods to ensure strong bones for you and your developing baby. Or consider taking a calcium supplement that also contains the other nutrients supplied by milk, such as vitamin D.
The following foods are comparable in calcium content to a glass of milk (i.e., approximately 300 mg):
• Broccoli (3 cups)
• Cooked spinach or mustard greens (1 1/2 cups)
• Cooked collard or dandelion greens (1 cup)
• Canned salmon with bones (5 ounces)
• Calcium-fortified orange juice (8 ounces)
• Cooked dried beans (3 cups).
Topics
• Foods to avoid
• Seafood to avoid
• Artificial sweeteners
• Being lactose intolerant
Are there some foods I should avoid eating while I'm pregnant?
A: Yes, there are certain things you need to be aware of when it comes to eating. For starters, possible environmental toxins make eating raw seafood a potential risk to a fetus. Therefore, eliminate uncooked clams, oysters, sushi, and sashimi from your diet. Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs can also carry food-borne bacteria, which means that you should steer clear of rare hamburgers and steaks, homemade mayonnaise, and Caesar salad (the dressing can contain undercooked egg). And to be on the safe side, avoid herbal teas and any other herbal home remedies, especially ones that contain comfrey. Their effect on pregnancy is not well documented.
Are there certain seafoods I should avoid while I'm pregnant?
A: Seafood, a lowfat, nutritious protein source, can be incorporated into a balanced diet for pregnant women. However, the FDA has issued a warning to pregnant women regarding specific types of fish. According to the FDA, there are four types of fish that pregnant women should avoid: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, because they could contain enough mercury to damage the brain of a fetus.
Are artificial sweeteners harmful to my baby?
A: Artificial sweeteners have gotten a bad rap. That’s not to say that soft drinks are nutritionally equivalent to fruit juice, because nothing could be further from the truth. However, there’s no evidence that artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame (sold under the Equal or NutraSweet brand names), used in moderation are harmful to pregnant women or a baby in the womb.
What should I do if I'm lactose intolerant?
A: Many people who are lactose-intolerant still can eat cheese, enjoy yogurt in small amounts, or drink lactose-reduced milk. If you can’t tolerate even these foods, you must carefully plan your diet so it includes sufficient amounts of other calcium-rich foods to ensure strong bones for you and your developing baby. Or consider taking a calcium supplement that also contains the other nutrients supplied by milk, such as vitamin D.
The following foods are comparable in calcium content to a glass of milk (i.e., approximately 300 mg):
• Broccoli (3 cups)
• Cooked spinach or mustard greens (1 1/2 cups)
• Cooked collard or dandelion greens (1 cup)
• Canned salmon with bones (5 ounces)
• Calcium-fortified orange juice (8 ounces)
• Cooked dried beans (3 cups).
