Is it safe?
The lowdown on safety precautions one should take during pregnancy.
You’re pregnant and everyone’s got advice: how much milk to drink, whether exercise is OK, what to name the baby…. Of course, you get to decide what and who you will listen to.
There are, however, some advisories you shouldn’t ignore. These include recommendations on what foods, medications and chemicals are safe during pregnancy. While this information is available, it can be difficult to find all you need to know in one place. We’re here to help.
What follows is a list of food, medicines and chemicals you should avoid or approach with caution. If you need more in-depth information, check the Health Canada or Motherisk websites.
Food: Protein
Deli meats/hot dogs
These are OK as long as they’re properly reheated. This means warming your sliced turkey or ham until steaming, reaching an internal temperature of at least 71°C. Yes, yuck.
Peanuts
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests pregnant women at “high risk” for peanut allergy stay peanut-free during pregnancy. Those at high risk include women who have a close relative with a peanut allergy (a child, sibling or parent, for example). However, eating peanuts while pregnant will not cause a nut allergy in the baby.
Protein bars/shakes
A no-no because of how much protein the average bar or shake can pack. One can contain up to 35 g, about half the amount of protein an average pregnant woman needs in a day. (On average, women need about 45 g of protein a day. A pregnant woman needs an additional 25 g a day.) Moreover, protein is something of an appetite suppressant, and the risk of eating too much is that you’ll neglect other important nutrients because you’re too full of protein. You’re much better off getting your daily recommended 60 to 70 g from protein-rich foods, such as meat and eggs.
Soft cheeses
This is confusing because some “soft” cheeses are perfectly fine. These include cottage cheese and cream cheese. However, a mental stop sign should go up when faced with brie, Camembert, feta and blue-veined cheeses. These are generally unpasteurized and could carry the bacteria listeria, which has been associated with miscarriage and preterm labour. And if there is nothing on the label to indicate it has been pasteurized, you should assume it has not. Hard cheeses, such as mozzarella and cheddar, are safe.
Refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads
Pass on these for the same reason — risk of listeria contamination. It is, however, safe to eat canned or shelf versions.
Raw eggs
You’re thinking: Why would I eat raw eggs? But consider — Caesar salads and some sauces are made with raw eggs. Also, read the label before you dip into some non-alcoholic eggnog, sometimes made with unpasteurized eggs.
Fish and seafood
Stay away from refrigerated smoked salmon. Same goes for raw fish like sushi or oysters. Also, Health Canada advises pregnant women to limit shark, swordfish and fresh and frozen tuna to no more than once a month. Canned salmon is considered safe. However, Health Canada says canned tuna should be limited to 360 g a week because of concerns about high levels of mercury in large ocean fish. Fish likely to have relatively low mercury levels include farmed trout, haddock, farmed tilapia and flounder.
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What do you think?
Sandra (not verified) says ....
i love the new effect you are doing with the idntieg! very impressed its like a new photographer all together! having your own amazing wedding and a beautiful pregnacy and child, i see those are your biggest strengths now and you are definitely going to get a lot of work doing weddings and pregnancy/family photos! amazing!
Fery (not verified) says ....
i have a questions .. My mom is flneieg a little a little or a bit nauseated and she feels like throwing up .. and she eats a lot. but she hasn't taken a home pregnancy test . cause it happen so many times and she gets scared of if she takes it after a week or 2 later she gets her period. but her last period was March 23 or 24th of 2011. until now she hasn't have it yet. i think she is pregnant but she doesn't want to get her hopes up.. Can you help us.. Thanks