As soon as I told mum I was pregnant, she bought me back a whole bunch of paperwork with what I should and shouldn’t eat.
It’s small things like breads and yoghurts. Changing white for whole meal or using Greek yoghurt in things.
As soon as I told mum I was pregnant, she bought me back a whole bunch of paperwork with what I should and shouldn’t eat.
It’s small things like breads and yoghurts. Changing white for whole meal or using Greek yoghurt in things.
Your tummy is a bit more sensitive when pregnant which makes some foods not as safe for pregnant mums.
How do I know which ones?
We have some ways to help keep your bub safe. Some foods have bacteria that can cause you or bub to become unwell. They should give you information at your appointments and you can always ask your health professionals.
Here are some examples of how to swap foods for healthier options.
Raw or uncooked meat can cause an infection called toxoplasmosis.
Well cooked meat is best.
Raw or undercooked eggs can cause salmonella, a bacteria that can cause severe stomach infections.
Well cooked eggs are best. Try to avoid runny yolks.
Deli meats, soft cheese, pate and soft serve ice cream contain a bacteria called listeria that can make us seriously sick.
Hard cheese is best.
Smoked salmon, uncooked seafood, precooked prawns and sushi may contain a bacteria called listeria that can make us seriously sick.
Well cooked and home cooked seafood is best.
White bread contains a lot of sugars.
Multigrain bread contains fibre. Fibre can help with constipation as sometimes bub sits on our bowel and causes issues. You can also try high fibre white bread.
If you are craving carbohydrates, try balancing it out with some fresh veggies.
Caffeine like coffee and tea and alcohol passes from our blood like coffee and tea passes through to bub but bub is still too young to digest it, which may harm them and affect bub's brain development.
Water is best or if you need something fizzy, mineral water or zero sugar soft drinks.
Key points
- Well cook all foods.
- Hard cheese is best.
- Large fish such as sharks, marlins and swordfish contain mercury that can affect the baby’s brain and nervous system development.
- It’s best to avoid alcohol.
- Limit caffeine to 1-2 cups a day.
- Water is best or if you need something fizzy, mineral water or zero sugar soft drinks
