Foods to avoid

[canadiangranola]

What foods do you all avoid/abstain from during pregnancy?

Just curious.
Here, I won't eat soft deli cheese, big fish, and try to avoid smoked foods as well. And of course, the booze. :)

[mom2threenurslings]

Hmmmm....I don't even remember what I'm not supposed to eat ... not that it matters since my diet lately has consisted of grilled chicken, rice, veggies and some dairy since I can't stomach anything else!

The booze .... :( ... I'll have to go all summer without a margarita....how will I survive?! :p My friends know that asap after baby is born we're going out for margaritas to celebrate...unless they bring some to my house first! :LOL

[hazmat]

Avoid raw eggs too. At first I thought - YA, like I eat raw eggs on a regular basis!!! - but then i got to thinking... that means no ceasar salad as the dressing is made with raw eggs.

It's the lack of sushi that's going to kill me more than the lack of booze... there are always the fake margaritas - those will at least cool us down in the summer...

[Mommay]

Ditto. And I will miss sushi a lot too, especially since it will be summer. To add to the list: mussels and deli meats. How do you all feel about coffee? I cut out caffeine for pregnancy #1, but I have really needed the jolt, chasing my 18 month old around. I usually have a cup each morning. I read it had no proven harmful affects on fetus, but it couldn't be good. What do you all think?

[Galatea]

I think one normal (not Starbucks size) cup is okay. I haven't been drinking coffee but I was never really that into it so it is not a sacrifice.

Dh says I ate sushi last time but I am pretty sure I only ate the cooked stuff - california rolls, shrimp, octopus, etc. That is what I plan on doing this time - just not eat the raw stuff. That still leaves a lot of sushi flavor.

I had goat cheese on a salad and then remembered that's on the no-no list. Oh well. I am also not huge on bologna-type stuff either so that's not bad.

[marieangela]

I've been wondering about this myself. I'm trying to remember what to avoid this time. I had so much time to read and research when I was pregnant with ds, but it's a bit different now. Caffeine isn't a big deal for me. I have the occasional cup of decaf. I think one normal cup of coffee wouldn't be bad to drink, though. As far as goat cheese goes, if I get a good American (like Firefly Farms organic-yum!), I'm having some. For some reason I think the risk is less with American ones. Peanuts/peanut butter are a no-no, right? Or is it only if you have a history of allergies? I've been eating a lot of roasted unsalted almonds, though. I have totally been craving sushi. Is there much risk of cross contamination if I just get veg type or cooked rolls?

[Galatea]

No contamination issue as far as I know. Besides, I have never heard of anyone getting something yucky from sushi. Esp. if you go to a good restaurant.

[marieangela]

No contamination issue as far as I know. Besides, I have never heard of anyone getting something yucky from sushi. Esp. if you go to a good restaurant.

Just talked to dh earlier. He is big on sanitation in restaurants (he's a chef). He said he wouldn't want me to eat sushi from any place in Pgh. Says he'll bring some fixings home, though, so there is some hope to satisfy my craving. I know he is a bit more strict/paranoid about these things than the average person and I guess some of it has rubbed off on me.

[NatureMama3]

Nothing really, since I don't eat any of the "taboos" anyway. Can't stand some foods already though!

[Galatea]

Just talked to dh earlier. He is big on sanitation in restaurants (he's a chef). He said he wouldn't want me to eat sushi from any place in Pgh. Says he'll bring some fixings home, though, so there is some hope to satisfy my craving. I know he is a bit more strict/paranoid about these things than the average person and I guess some of it has rubbed off on me.

Well, professional hazards! I think it is your comfort level anyway. We went to Kiku the night before Maddox was born b/c we knew we were going to the hospital afterwards to be induced and so it wouldn't matter anyway. Just 2 nights ago I had some california rolls, etc. from China Palace. I don't think I'll do it often, though.

Can your husband do sushi? The rice is so freaking hard. What fixings will be bring home? B/c if he can do sushi, you are inviting me over! :D

[marieangela]

Well, professional hazards! I think it is your comfort level anyway. We went to Kiku the night before Maddox was born b/c we knew we were going to the hospital afterwards to be induced and so it wouldn't matter anyway. Just 2 nights ago I had some california rolls, etc. from China Palace. I don't think I'll do it often, though.

Can your husband do sushi? The rice is so freaking hard. What fixings will be bring home? B/c if he can do sushi, you are inviting me over! :D

Sorry to be hijacking the thread with sushi talk! Yes, he can make it, though. We've done it before. He's bringing the nori paper and probably some rice home (we may have some), not sure if he'll bring any of the fixings. The only problem is getting him to do it! He works so much that I sometimes feel guilty trying to get him to cook/work in the kitchen when he is off. I'm just not motivated to do it myself right now. I think I remember how to roll, but the rice is a bit of a pain to cook just right.

[Palmetto210]

Oh, and don't forget to avoid venison. We have a lot of hunters in my area, and litle did I know that many chili/stews are prepared with venison. Normally, it a is a great, lean meat, but for pregnant ladies, I have heard it can cause BD b/c wild game carry bacteria our systems are not "used to".

Several of my lady doctor friends have sworn me to avoid nutrasweet/diet sweeteners. Small does is supposed to be okay, but why play around with strange chemicals. Sorry to rain on the diet Coke parade!

so, as I avoid sugar soda, diet soda, and caffienated beverages, I am pretty much left with....you guessed it, water. :) Oh, but the Izze drinks at Target have cauhgt my fancy. They are half juice/half soda water, lower in calories and completely satisfy my bev. cravings during happy hour.

Cheers

[famousmockngbrd]

Hey folks -

Just wanted to chime in about the cheese - the thing about soft cheese is that it might be unpasteurized, and if it is you want to avoid it. Most cheese that is exported to the US *is* pasteurized so you should be OK eating feta, brie, etc. - just check the label to make sure. If you usually buy your cheese from a specialty store, it might not be pasteurized but the stuff you get at a regular grocery store almost certainly is. AND, even if it isn't pasteurized, if you cook it you can still eat it, so for instance feta on your pizza is OK.

Another thing to avoid that some people might not know about is hot dogs, sausage and bacon - they contain nitrates and BHT, which are bad for anyone but especially for fetuses. BHT has actually been banned in Great Britain.

OK, I'm going back to my own board now, lol - :)

[lillian]

Well, professional hazards! I think it is your comfort level anyway. We went to Kiku the night before Maddox was born b/c we knew we were going to the hospital afterwards to be induced and so it wouldn't matter anyway. Just 2 nights ago I had some california rolls, etc. from China Palace. I don't think I'll do it often, though.

Can your husband do sushi? The rice is so freaking hard. What fixings will be bring home? B/c if he can do sushi, you are inviting me over! :D

i used to live in shadyside - oh the $$$ i have given to china palace!!

[Mommay]

The nitrates issue is why we should also avoid deli meats, right? I heard it was okay to eat real breast of turkey if the store makes it themselves.

[cj'smommy]

I thought it was the risk of Listeria associated with deli meats. If you steam it, it should be ok to eat.

[famousmockngbrd]

Right - you should *also* not eat deli meat because of the nitrates, but the reason "they" say not to eat it is because of the risk of Listeria. This applies to any cold meat, so cold "real" meat is out too, unfortunately. :(

I make up for it by eating lots of chocolate. :thumb

[Mommay]

Dang! Then what do people do for protein for lunch? Who can cook? I have hard boiled eggs on hand, but that gets old.

[mom2threenurslings]

I cook lots of chicken and turkey and freeze it in small portions ... I also make up packets with chicken and frozen stirfry veggies. For lunch I'll take a packet of chicken/veggies out of the fridge or freezer, throw the contents into a wok w/ some garlic, soy or other sauce, etc. for an easy lunch. Or I'll throw some turkey into a frying pan to heat it up and make a turkey melt or "gobbler" (turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce on bread or a roll). Or smothered chicken: throw mushrooms and cheese on a chicken breast and throw it in the oven/toaster oven/microwave.

I do eat raw cheese, even when I'm pregnant. You can find info on raw milk and cheese at Real Milk (http://www.realmilk.com) and Weston A Price (http://www.westonaprice.org/index.html) if you're curious. A friend actually suggested that it would help me with my morning sickness because raw milk and cheese are good sources of B6 (and morning sickness can be related to B6 deficiency). I just got a HUGE block of raw garlic cheddar (the size they have at the deli) and can't wait to have some!!! Just like raw fish, it depends on freshness and where you get it.

[cj'smommy]

I know peanut butter can be a no-no too, but I've been eating that. Beans have a lot of protein as well. I've been throwing them in Quesidilla's, eating baked beans, chili, red beans and rice....

[mom2threenurslings]

Peanuts and other possible allergens are only no-nos for people with a history of food allergies in their family. Most people are ok eating these types of things.

Another good source of protein is cottage cheese. My Bradley Method teacher suggested this a few years ago...you'd be surprised how much protein is in just a small amount of cottage cheese...and it tastes soooo good with fruit in it!

[Mommay]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did hear of raw milk, and will look into that. I love cottage cheese, so that's good. Sorry to have hijacked this thread.

[marieangela]

I've been wondering about lunches, too, especially on the days that I work. So far it's been hummus and cheese sandwiches with assorted vegetables. Of course, I also take almonds, yogurt, an apple, a clementine, carrots, and cheese and crackers on most days. I tend to eat the whole 5 hours that I'm there!

[NatureMama3]

Nuts and olives are good supplementaries or snacks too. :) Nothing like some smoked or tamari almonds to satiate cravings!

If you like fancy olives, I've even seen jalapeno pepper stuffed green olives. :LOL

Another high-protien snack I love is feta cheese on sourdough toast.