Pregnant! Foods To Avoid And Foods To Include In Your Diet Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  All thoughts are my own and no other.  There are no affiliate links in this post.  This post is now in the guidelines of the FTC.  Pregnant Foods to Avoid Congratulations on your wonderful news! Pregnancy is a fabulous and fulfilling time of life, it is also the most natural thing in the world and women have been giving birth successfully since life began. It is important to take good care of yourself, especially as you are supporting a new life, you are now thinking about two peoples health and safety rather than one. Pregnancy is also thwarted with possible complications, with different people being affected more than others. I advise that you get excellent antenatal support and seek medical advice if you start to experience unusual symptoms. The best time to prepare for a healthy pregnancy is prior to conception. If you are in optimal health prior to conception, the likelihood of complications may be lessened. Start by taking a folic acid supplement as this will help to prevent diseases of the spinal cord, including spina bifida. It makes no difference whether you are an experienced mother, or this is your first baby it is important to make positive lifestyle changes in order to care for yourself and nurture your unborn baby. The healthier you are in pregnancy the more energy you will have following the birth. It is really important to make sure that your iron levels are not affected as otherwise you will lack energy and feel exhausted. You will need plenty of energy once you are attempting to establish a  newborn bedtime routine! When pregnant I feel that it is so important to consider your diet, you are of course now eating for two! Advice regarding health changes so often and I’m not an expert in pregnancy and childbirth, that being said I have written the following article which takes on board current advice, it is important to check with your healthcare practitioner to check for changes in advice. Healthy diet Eating a healthy diet is essential for maintaining the health of yourself and that or your baby. There are a few differences however and this article aims to show you the foods to include and the foods to avoid in your diet. I along with many other women worry about gaining too much weight during pregnancy, but pregnancy isn’t the time to attempt a weight loss diet. Your best bet is to eat a healthy balanced diet which provides your baby with all essential nutrients required for growth and development. I have discovered that weight gain varies considerably between individuals, however if you are having a single baby your weight gain should be around 25-30 lbs. This amount would increase dramatically if you are having a multiple birth! Foods to avoid The foods to avoid during pregnancy does have the tendency to change frequently, I have researched current advice and the following foods should currently be avoided as they may have a detrimental effect on the health of your baby or yourself. Make sure you stay up to date with current recommendations. It is important to avoid all foods that are unpasteurized, such as soft cheeses, this is because there is the risk of being exposed to harmful bacteria. Anything which is raw or undercooked such as eggs and meat should also be avoided for the same reason. Whilst we are discussing bacteria, it is also important to be aware that there is a risk of toxoplasmosis from changing cat litter, raw meat, unpasteurized foods and untreated water. The problem with toxoplasmosis is that is an infection caused by a parasite, with no outward signs, but can be harmful to your unborn baby. Too much vitamin A can be harmful, so it is important to avoid foods which have high vitamin A levels, these include liver, pate and vitamin supplements not specifically prepared for during pregnancy. Ensure that all salads, veg and fruits are washed thoroughly, even if it is stated that they are ready washed. Avoid eating anything with visible soil on it due risk of bacteria and parasites. Although fish is considered a healthy Food, there are certain types of fish that should be avoided or restricted. Tuna contains high levels of mercury and your diet shouldn’t include more than two tuna steaks or two cans of tuna in a week. Other kinds of oily fish such as salmon and trout also contain toxins. White fish is safe to eat during pregnancy, just ensure everything is thoroughly cooked. I have discovered there is much controversy surrounding whether nuts should be consumed in pregnancy or not, especially peanuts. This is due to the thought that eating peanuts during pregnancy may contribute to the current rise in the incidence of nut allergies in children. The current advice is that peanuts are safe to eat. Healthy foods in pregnancy A healthy balanced diet is best for you and your baby. If you avoid the foods listed above and include a range of foods from the different food groups you will be on track. You will need lots more energy during pregnancy and the best way to get energy is through eating carbohydrates. Carbohydrates give you energy as well as fiber, vitamins and minerals. Try to choose whole grain carbohydrates for the best effect. Include foods such as bread, pasta, potatoes, cereals and oats. Fruit and vegetables  are crammed with vitamins and minerals conducive to a healthy pregnancy, so eat in abundance! You can include fruit and veg in all forms, such as juice, tinned, fresh and cooked. Fruit and veg are also packed with fiber which will help to keep your digestive system healthy. To enable your baby to grow it is essential to eat a portion of food containing protein at every meal. Good sources are eggs, fish, meat, cheese, yogurts, beans and nuts. Protein is essential for good muscle development. Dairy contains calcium, which is essential for bone development. Your calcium requirements will increase a lot during pregnancy. I hope the above advice helps in giving a clear picture of what foods to avoid and include in your diet during pregnancy. Remember to stay hydrated too, avoid caffeinated drinks and drink plenty of fruit juices and water. I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy! Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  All thoughts are my own and no other.  There are no affiliate links in this post.  This post is now in the guidelines of the FTC.