What Can I eat? :)

[Nini2686]

Hey everyone. I have heard so many different opinions on what pregnant can and can't eat. I know that caffeine is definitely off-limits. But I have also heard that sushi, cold cuts, hot dogs, spicy food, soft cheeses etc is also off limits. But, I have also heard that this isn’t a problem. I am asking because for lunch I had a buffalo chicken salad with blue cheese dressing. This gave me incredible indigestion so I will not be eating it again. I looked online and found argueing reports that what I ate is not ok and also a report that it's fine. It's so confusing. Are they any foods that you stay away from?

[Nini2686]

Thanks. That was very informative! I am going to make sure I stay away from these foods.

[tivey]

Hi going back to the mention on Vitamin A - I know you are meant to avoid it but I am not sure why.  I also see it in so may foods e.g milk so I am wondering does anyone know how much is a safe dosage?
Thanks in advance

[JoyRenee]

The reasons that you shouldn't eat those certain foods is that you could contract a foodborne illness (such as E Coli or listeriosis). Certain fish contain HIGH levels of mercury that are not safe.

The indigestion is probably from the buffalo spice on the chiken.

[Kaylee_Frye]

Certain Foods
Although you need to eat plenty of healthy foods during pregnancy, you also need to avoid food-borne illnesses, such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, which can be life-threatening to an unborn baby and may cause birth defects or miscarriage.

Foods you'll want to steer clear of include:

soft, unpasteurized cheeses (often advertised as "fresh") such as feta, goat, Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese
unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider
raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, including mousse, tiramisu, raw cookie dough, homemade ice cream, and Caesar dressing (although some store-bought brands of the dressing may not contain raw eggs)
raw or undercooked meats, fish (sushi), or shellfish
processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats (unless they are reheated until steaming)

Source:  kidshealth.com

I say, what's done is done.  But you can decide to not continue habits that some professionals warn to steer clear from.  I drank a lot of grape juice in early pregnancy, before my doctor told me to stop.  There's nothing I can do about the Vitamin A I consumed weeks ago, but I can move forward with the knowledge I need to keep my baby as safe as possible now :)

If you're not bleeding and cramping, I wouldn't worry.  Just start today!  Congrats on your pregnancy.  Wishing you a happy, healthy 9 months!

[Nini2686]

Thanks. I ate a buffalo chicken salad with blue cheese dressing today. Do you think that's alright? I have terrible indigestion (which happens to me when I have spicy food).

[Kaylee_Frye]

I quit caffeine, soft cheese (including blue cheese) and grape juice (for fear of Vitamin A toxicity on drs orders).

All I eat are spicy things -- it helps with my nausea for some reason.  Other people need bland things, but I am just the opposite and I don't know why at all.  I crave salty or sour candy sometimes.

Good luck to you!