What NOT To Eat While You're Pregnant

  

I just heard that you're pregnant. Congratulations!

I'm not sure if you've been here before, but you're about to get a big rush of advice from everyone. Your mother-in-law, your boss, your neighbor's ex-boyfriend's former roommate-everyone is going to try to tell you what you should and should not do. It's not that they think you don't know anything; they just want to help. They want to share any wisdom they've acquired over the course of their lives with you so that you won't have any of the problems they may have had.

Well, I'm about to add to the list.

When you're pregnant, you truly are 'eating for two'. What you take in to your body goes straight to your baby. Because of this, there are several things you should avoid eating while you are pregnant for the good of your baby. You might hate to go without them for nine months but, trust me, it will be worth it. Here is a brief list.

• Raw or undercooked meat and seafood. Sorry, sushi and rare-steak lovers. In addition to the mercury many shellfish have, uncooked meat and seafood may still have parasites and bacteria that can cause illnesses like salmonella. This is especially true of clams and oysters. If you are eating seafood from local fishermen (which is done in many coastal towns), be mindful of any pollution in the water.
• Anything with raw or undercooked eggs. This includes egg nog, batters for baking, hollandaise sauce and restaurant-made Caesar dressing. Things like raw cookie dough aren't good to eat anyway, but you should especially avoid them if you are or may be pregnant.
• Unpasteurized milk, juice or cider. Ciders or juices sold at farmers' markets or local fruit stands aren't always pasteurized properly before they are sold. Ask someone on staff if these things have been pasteurized before you buy them. Most juices and milk sold at grocery stores are fine, but you should still read the labels to be safe.
• Meat spreads such as potted meat and pâté. If you eat processed meats like hot dogs, bacon or deli meats, make sure they are fully cooked.
• Caffeine or herbal tea, to excess.
• Soft cheeses such as brie, bleu cheese, feta or Camembert unless they have been pasteurized or melted.
• Unwashed fruits or vegetables, because of possible pesticides. Also, thoroughly wash any sprouts or herbs you might use in cooking (i.e. alfalfa or cilantro), if you use them at all.

This is a basic idea of the foods you should avoid during pregnancy. Of course, you will want to ask your obstetrician about any specific foods you shouldn't eat, but it's good to have a basis to work from. I figured you'd probably rather hear them from someone you chose to read than the random person you see in the grocery store.

Now all you have to do is learn how to deal with people coming up and touching your belly. Good luck with that!