Getting accustomed to pregnancy dietary rules can be a challenge, but we’ve made it simple. If you’ve just discovered you’re expecting, below are five food habits to change immediately.
Caffeine
Pregnant women should consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is the equivalent of about one cup of coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant, which has been linked to fertility problems and even miscarriage if consumed in large amounts. Caffeine is also found in tea, chocolate and some sodas.
Processed Meat and Soft Cheeses
Deli meats, hot dogs, soft cheeses (brie, camembert and ricotta) and meat spreads can all contain listeria. The Center of Disease Control estimates that more than 1,700 people become seriously ill from this bacteria. The condition is called listerosis. Further, pregnant women are 20 times more likely to get listerosis than non-pregnant women. Eliminating processed meat and soft cheeses from your diet is the easiest way to avoid listeria.
Alcohol
Most women know heavy drinking can be harmful to a fetus, but fewer women are aware that even small amounts of alcohol can have detrimental affects on the development of a baby as early as conception. Mental retardation, emotional or behavioral problems, defective organs, facial deformities, miscarriage and premature birth are some of the risks associated with drinking alcohol while pregnant. Some studies show that women who had five or more drinks per week while pregnant had a 70 percent greater chance of having a stillbirth.