You have confirmed that you are expecting a beautiful ball of joy in just nine months and become frantic about things you need to do to prepare for your baby’s arrival. That means purchasing a crib, clothes, bottles, blankets, diaper bags, and other fun things that will be beneficial for you and your child.
Healthy Eating While Pregnant
The diet that you take on during pregnancy can either positively or negatively affect your child long after they make their entrance into this world. So it is ideal that you start them off on the right foot by eating foods that are high in vitamins and nutrients that you will need to ensure their growth and development throughout the nine months.
After getting confirmation of your pregnancy your doctor will them begin to discuss with you your diet and foods that you need to limit throughout your pregnancy. One of the foods that should be limited during pregnancy is the consumption of fish that is high in mercury.
Which Fish Is Safe For Pregnancy?
According to Healthline, it is safe to consume fish such as tilapia, salmon, or catfish while pregnant, as they are on the lower spectrum when it comes to mercury levels. However, if you must consume fish high in mercury you should only do so once or twice a week.
The species of fish generally considered to be high in mercury include:
- king mackerel
- marlin
- orange roughy
- shark
- swordfish
- tilefish
- ahi tuna
- bigey
Eating Deli Meats During Your Pregnancy
Another food that should be limited if possible is the consumption of deli meats. We understand there is nothing better than sitting down to enjoy a turkey, cheese, and tomato sandwich with chips.
The reason this type of meat should be limited is that deli meats have been known to be contaminated with a bacteria known as listeria. Listeria crosses the placenta and can cause blood poisoning, miscarriage, and sometimes infection.
Deli meats can be classified as whole cuts, sectioned or formed meats, or processed meats. If you are going to consume deli meats, it must be cooked or reheated in some way before being eaten.
Fruits and Veggies for Moms to Be
Raw fruits and vegetables can become contaminated with harmful bacteria. Toxoplasma, a parasite that can be found on unwashed fruits and vegetables, can be particularly harmful to a mom-to-be and her unborn baby.
You should avoid consuming any fruits and vegetables that you have not washed beforehand. This also includes foods such as alfalfa sprouts.
It is recommended that they are washed and cooked properly because during the growth process especially sprouts the outer layer of fruits and vegetables is covered with bacteria. And if it is a sprout the inner layers of the sprouts may be contaminated as well.
Therefore to avoid coming in contact with bacteria that could leave you suffering from food poisoning you should wash all produce before consumption.
Can You Drink Coffee While Pregnant?
If you’re an avid coffee drinker you should limit your consumption of caffeine to 200 milligrams per day. The overdrinking of coffee can cause premature uterine cramps and diarrhea.
The cramps can cause fetal stress especially if it is not time for your body to go into labor and diarrhea can cause your body to become dehydrated. And let’s face it, water is extremely important throughout pregnancy. Instead, try a more holistic approach when it comes to what you drink during pregnancy.
Enjoying Herbal Tea
Certain teas such as lavender and chamomile may naturally help to calm you as your body goes through numerous changes in the next nine months. These teas may also help you to get a better night of sleep than you normally would during pregnancy.
This is music to an expecting mother’s ears because as your body grows and stretches finding a specific position to sleep in and be comfortable is difficult to do. Especially since sleeping on your stomach and back has become a huge no-no during pregnancy, for blood circulation reasons.
I hope that the tips we have listed for you here will lessen the stress you feel when it comes to the things that you can and can not eat. And instead will help you to look forward to all of the benefits you and your baby will get from these minor dietary changes.
