Talk to me about breaking the (eating) rules - Page 2

[mumkimum]

Well, when I was pregnant with now 3 year old dd, I developed a taste for STRONG blue cheeses that I hadn't previously liked. So I think you'll be fine.

The "no raw dairy" thing I personally think is hardly a big deal. If you're worried at all, just make sure it's high quality.

[Quinalla]

So many of the hard "rules" should really be about moderation anyway. It's just with our lawsuit happy culture (in the USA anyway), they would rather say "No X, Y, & Z" then "Only eat/drink in moderation". The only thing they seem to do the latter for is caffeine and that is because our coffee/caffeine addiction trumps all apparently

I have eaten sushi and other seafood (though I do stay away from the really high mercury predators and I am aware of how much fish I am eating), cold lunch meat (though I do like it warmed up so I will eat it that way if it is easy, but I don't go out of my way), etc. and while I haven't had any yet, I am not opposed to a small amount of beer or wine. I am limiting caffeine, but honestly it has very little effect on me and I only consume it because I can't get caffeine free versions of some of the drinks I like and I like a bit of chocolate now and again. I am more worried about caffeine after the baby is born and I am breastfeeding.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by gardenmommy

I guess I'm bad then, because I break those rules, too. Raw milk, raw milk yogurt, raw milk kefir, raw cheeses... I think that if you know your source, you are probably better off with raw than pasteurized, because raw still has all the beneficial bacteria intact. JMO.

:

We're the only society that imposes those rules on pregnant women. In France, you think pregnant women avoid cheese for 9 months? Or how about Japanese women and sushi? No, they don't.

And BTW - that's my blue cheese recipe, I'm 32 wks and I've had it at least a half dozen times this pregnancy... and I only buy raw blue cheese.

[tayndrewsmama]

I eat/drink raw dairy and raw honey regularly. Whatever. I have so many food allergies and intolerances that if I also follow the silly 'rules' I'd be half dead. I know my sources well and have consumed them for years and years. I am not about to stop now.

[Juvysen]

I've been thinking about the raw thing. I am so craving sushi... but I'd have to avoid high mercury fish, I think... for my own sanity.

[Mommy2Haley]

I was very careful when pg with DD and this time not so much. I don't eat fish (except for tuna and fishsticks, but you can't really qualify that as "fish"), I'm allergic to shellfish, and I'm still dairy free due to DD's dairy allergy. That takes me out of the running for mercury and raw milk issues.

I eat at Subway every few weeks (or Quiznos). I try to limit nitrates/nitrites but when a hot dog calls to me I respond. (No comments on my eating hot dogs!!)

I gave up caffeine 7 years ago and I'm not interested in alchohol since my triste with white zinfandel at my high school reunion last november.

Moderation is key!

[Snuzzmom]

There aren't rules. There's research available to you that tells you the possible effects of certain foods on your unborn baby. If you decide to ignore that and eat what you want, no one is going to break down your door and arrest you. Listeria CAN indeed kill your fetus... it's also incredibly rare. You need to research for yourself and weigh the risks versus the probability of having any particular food issue.

I see that some people here site soft cheese as being an issue and it is not. It's unpasteurized cheese that can contain listeria, and if you live in the US and buy regular old brie from the grocery store, you're fine. Make sure you get the facts straight before becoming reactionary.

Again, it isn't rules. It's science. It's there to help you make an informed decision and if you choose to ignore it, that is totally your business. I am not sure why so many people feel oppressed by it.

[staceychev]

Originally Posted by Snuzzmom

I see that some people here site soft cheese as being an issue and it is not. It's unpasteurized cheese that can contain listeria, and if you live in the US and buy regular old brie from the grocery store, you're fine. Make sure you get the facts straight before becoming reactionary.

Again, it isn't rules. It's science. It's there to help you make an informed decision and if you choose to ignore it, that is totally your business. I am not sure why so many people feel oppressed by it.

OP,here. I was throwing this out for conversation because I was curious what other mamas do, but I gotta say that I'm a little thrown off by your tone. I know it's science, I never claimed to feel oppressed, and I certainly don't see myself as being reactionary.

[Snuzzmom]

Originally Posted by staceychev

OP,here. I was throwing this out for conversation because I was curious what other mamas do, but I gotta say that I'm a little thrown off by your tone. I know it's science, I never claimed to feel oppressed, and I certainly don't see myself as being reactionary.

Sorry-- I wasn't responding you you specifically. Just in general... I've seen threads about this in the past where people seem to get really upset about these rules when really... they don't even exist.

I'm just pointing out that there AREN'T any rules, there's only a list of foods that aren't recommended when you're pregnant and the list requires some research so that you can decide for yourself why that food is on the list and whether or not you agree that eating that food is truly risky to your baby.

Again, sorry about any offensive tone. Totally not my intent.

[staceychev]

Originally Posted by Snuzzmom

Sorry-- I wasn't responding you you specifically. Just in general...

Again, sorry about any offensive tone. Totally not my intent.

No worries! Thanks for the reply!

[georgiegirl1974]

I've eaten lots of sushi (the raw stuff...but I keep tuna to a bare minimum) and sashimi.

I've eaten almost every type of cheese (raw, blue, brie, feta).

I've had smoked salmon.

My baby boy is 10 days old and very healthy.

[S.Elise]

On the sushi point, see this recent NY times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/opinion/15shaw.html

[staceychev]

Great article, Lauren. I especially like this quote:

"So powerful is this Puritanical impulse that, once a health objection is raised, however irrational the recommended behavior, it’s considered irresponsible to behave any other way."

[sugarpop]

I am a rule breaker!

I too believe in moderation. I have a glass of wine or half a beer in a week, sometimes I skip a weekend. I enjoy my lunchmeats. I love soft cheeses and honestly I don't know if they are pasturized or not! I tell DH they are though b/c he worries. I love sushi, but at the same time I get scared. I did have tuna taco's (raw tuna) the other day and was in love. Only a little but enough to satisfy my craving for now.

[mrs*kewpie*pie]

i eat what i like for the most part though i'll only have a few sips of alcohol

and i try to get wild sal mon instead of farmed

i eat lots of lunchmeat. early in pregnancy i make sure its heated pretty well.

heres an interesting article specifically about alcohol consumption during pregnancy that talks about how scientifically theres no reason really for total abstinance but its just easier for hcps to recommend abstinence. i think it goes right along w/ this discussion

http://press.psprings.co.uk/jme/april/300_me28662.pdf

[S.Elise]

Thanks for sharing this article. A friend had mentioned it to me but I never actually saw it.

[bekkie]

I've eaten hot dogs.. medium rare steak, coke slurpees, reese peanut butter cup cereal (I'm sure that's a no-no somewhere lol), and broken plenty other rules I'm not even aware of I'm sure

my mom said when she was pregnant with me she ate 7-11 hoagies nightly during her second and third trimester with me and I came out perfectly healthy LOL so I'm sure my breaking the rules here and there will be just fine

[mamatolevi]

I guess I'm really naughty in that I eat what I want when I want and don't care what they think. I'm not eating to excess and often it's to satisfy a craving of some sort - even if it's just a flavor or texture craving as opposed to a nutritional craving.

If I want a little wine and a bit of fancy cheese or a bite or two of tartare, I'll have it. It's not like it's a nightly occurrence and it satisfies me enough to eat the healthy salad (that not pregnant wouldn't fill me up) and be happy with it.

[mum5]

sugarpop, now raw tuna tacos sound awesome!

[TonyaW]

The rules are silly if you are eating good quality food. I eat raw milk, cheese, egg yolks and lots of raw foods.