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What NOT to eat during pregnancy [複製鏈接]

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發表於 07-8-1 16:46 |只看該作者 |倒序瀏覽 |打印

Hope the following information is useful to all mothers-to-be:

What Not to Eat When You're Pregnant
During pregnancy, a healthful, well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains, and calcium-rich foods is a necessity for both mother and fetus. But some foods have the potential to cause harm. Women who are pregnant, nursing, or breastfeeding need to take extra measures to avoid three fairly widespread substances: listeria, mercury, and toxoplasma. Environmental chemicals commonly referred to as PCBs should also be avoided. Michael Lund, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, practices at the Froedtert & Medical College Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic. "

regnant women need to watch their eating a little more carefully," he says. "Issues like these apply to everybody, but pregnant women are at a higher risk because of the danger to the fetus." Listeriosis
Bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes, found in soil and in ground water, can contaminate vegetables, meats, and dairy products and cause listeriosis. "Anyone can get sick from listeria, but about one third of illnesses from it are in pregnant women," says Dr. Lund. In addition to making the mother ill, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or infection in the fetus. Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking, but in ready-to-eat foods such as hot dogs and deli meats, contamination can occur after cooking and before packaging. "The smart consumer always questions whether food has been thoroughly tested for listeria before it goes to market," says Dr. Lund. "We can't be sure if the bacteria are in the package." Fortunately, listeriosis is somewhat rare - it occurs only in outbreaks. "If you open a package of hot dogs and follow the cooking directions, you should be fine," says Dr. Lund. "But if the meat is infected with listeria, and it's not properly heated, you could get sick." Raw or unpasteurized dairy products can carry listeria as well. For this reason, Dr. Lund says, "Organic, unpasteurized, raw food is not your best friend when it comes to listeria." Any kind of soft cheese, whether from a store or a restaurant, must be made from pasteurized milk. "If it's not," says Dr. Lund, "pass on it. If you go to a Mexican restaurant and you want soft cheese on your tostada, ask if it's pasteurized. If the restaurant can't tell you for sure, ask for no cheese." Diagnosis of listeriosis is made by blood test or stool culture. "The physician has to think to test you for it," says Dr. Lund. "It's not a routine test during pregnancy, and it shouldn't be, because it's not very common. But if there's an unexplained fever, listeriosis is one thing the physician should think about." Symptoms of listeriosis include diarrhea and vomiting, usually with a fever and muscle aches. "Of course, most pregnant women with these symptoms don't have listeriosis, they have a stomach virus or other digestive problems," says Dr. Lund. "You can avoid infection by making sure you wash your fruits and vegetables, steam all your pre-cooked meats, and stay away from unpasteurized milk products," Dr. Lund says. In addition, wash hands, counters, and kitchen tools with hot soapy water when working with raw or cooked meat; do not eat store-made spreads, pates, or salads; and do not eat raw fish or shellfish, or refrigerated smoked seafood. Listeriosis is easily treated with antibiotics, Dr. Lund says, "But obviously, prevention is the most important part of this." For instance, he notes, "If you're at a picnic and somebody else brings something you're not sure about, you should probably avoid it." Mercury and PCBs
Mercury is mainly found in fish, and can cause long-term neurological issues in babies and small children. "Adults need to ingest a lot of mercury before they develop a problem," says Dr. Lund. "But in fetuses and young children, smaller amounts can cause brain defects, learning disabilities, and nervous system dysfunction." Fish is high in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids and low in fat, so women who are pregnant or might become pregnant should continue to eat it. All fish contain some mercury, but some fish are better to eat than others, says Dr. Lund. "You want to eat smaller fish that are at the bottom of the food chain, not the top. The mercury builds up with each fish in the chain, so every time you add another fish to the chain, the mercury level increases." If you catch your own fish, says Dr. Lund, check with your state listing on the US Environmental Protection Agency website to see what's safe to eat in your area. "Each waterway is rated for mercury levels, and what types of fish you can and cannot eat from it," he says. "If you catch the fish yourself, you need to be sure it's safe to eat. "The fish that are absolutely out for pregnant women and women who might become pregnant, or who are breastfeeding, (mercury does get into breast milk) are swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, shark, or Wisconsin Muskie." Any raw fish or shellfish, even if smoked, should be avoided as well. In general, women who are pregnant, might become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, and children under age 15 may eat up to 12 ounces per week (2 average meals) of fish that are lower in mercury, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, Atlantic or Alaskan salmon, pollock, and catfish. It's still safe to eat up to 6 ounces of fish (one average meal) that are somewhat higher in mercury, such as canned white (albacore) tuna, halibut, tuna steaks, or those with unknown mercury levels, he notes. These guidelines are based on a 150-pound person. "

eople who are smaller should eat a little less," he says, "and people who are bigger can eat a little more." Also of concern in fish are Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs. These carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals are no longer produced in the United States, but are still found in the environment. "They're pollutants that fall from the air when it rains, and they accumulate in fish," says Dr. Lund. "They've been reported to have an effect on women's fertility, and also on the fetus' neurological factors after birth, like learning ability and nervous issues." Trimming fat off fish before consumption helps eliminate some of the PCBs, because PCBs accumulate in the fat of fish. But mercury is stored in the entire fish, not just in the fat. "You should still make your fish as lean as you can before you cook it by trimming off any fat," says Dr. Lund, "but it helps only with PCBs, not mercury. The leanest fish in the world still has the potential to contain mercury." "Don't stop eating fish," Dr. Lund emphasizes. "It's very important for mother's health and baby's brain development." By following the guidelines for consumption, fish can be enjoyed throughout pregnancy and beyond. Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis is caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which is transmitted to humans by cat feces, contaminated meat or drinking water, and rarely by blood transfusion or organ transplantation. Most people (80% - 90%) who become infected with toxoplasma are unaware of the infection. But for some, the infection causes flu-like symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, and fever. When severe, toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the brain, eyes, or other organs. When a pregnant woman contracts toxoplasmosis, she can pass the infection to her fetus, resulting in the newborn having jaundice, anemia, liver or spleen disorders, damage to the central nervous system, blindness, or learning disorders. One or more blood tests are used to diagnose toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women are usually given medication to prevent infection. To avoid toxoplasmosis during pregnancy:

If you have a cat, keep it inside and do not feed it raw meat. Have a non-pregnant person change the litter box every day.
Do not adopt or handle stray cats, or allow them into your home.
Wear gloves when you garden or do anything outdoors that involves handling soil. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after outdoor activities, especially before eating or preparing food.
When preparing raw meat, wash hands, cutting boards, knives, and other kitchen tools with hot, soapy water.
Cook all meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 160° F before tasting.

Other Concerns During Pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy is the single most preventable cause of illness and death among mothers and infants. It is associated with increased risks for problems with the placenta, preterm delivery, and low birth weight. Alcohol can cause life-long physical and behavioral problems in children, including fetal alcohol syndrome. There is no known safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink while pregnant. Using illegal drugs can cause underweight babies, birth defects, or withdrawal symptoms after birth. Medications - even medications prescribed by a physician - might not be safe to take during pregnancy. Check with your physician before you become pregnant to see if you need to switch to a different medication. Some herbal products and over-the-counter medicines can also harm the fetus. With mindful eating and avoidance of potentially harmful foods, pregnancy can be a time of excitement and good health for the mother-to-be, and a time of proper growth and development for the fetus.