Are you pregnant? Be careful what you eat!

 Are you pregnant? Be careful what you eat!   

The future mother's eating habits and behaviour at mealtimes influence the development of the fetus. You must, therefore, be very careful with your meals.

During pregnancy, you need to be very careful with food. A fetus needs all of its nutrients from the mother to grow, including proteins, lipids, calcium, iron, and other elements. Because of this, you need to be extremely cautious about the foods you consume because certain foods can conceal potentially hazardous ingredients. Here is a list of the main risky foods.     

Are packaged salads recommended?  (salata)

Healthful foods are available, such as pre-washed and packaged salads; nevertheless, you must choose them carefully. 

 They must be stored in refrigerated areas. Avoid bags with condensation inside and those containing oxidized leaves, and check the use by date.   (pasta salad)

Eating hard-boiled eggs during pregnancy   

The inside of the hard-boiled egg is virtually sterile, but the shell may contain germs. To guarantee absolute safety and eliminate salmonella, the ideal is to cook it. Choose an industrial sauce that guarantees complete hygiene if you want an egg-based sauce.  

Sushi is prohibited during pregnancy.   

 Making sushi at home is fraught with peril and should be avoided at all costs.

 Even fresh fish flesh can contain parasite larvae, which cause gastrointestinal problems. It is better to enjoy them in an excellent Japanese restaurant, where professionals know how to handle and prepare raw fish. But the safest thing is to skip sushi for nine months…     

Foods prohibited during pregnancy: carpaccio   

Prospective moms who have tested negative for toxoplasmosis must refrain from consuming carpaccio, steak tartare, or any other type of meat that is undercooked, rare, or medium-rare.

 On the other hand, there is no issue with schnitzels and any other meats that are breaded because the oil used to fry them reaches a high enough temperature.  (beets carpaccio)

Prepare homemade preserves without the risk of infection  

When it comes to foods that are canned in oil, we need to take precautions to avoid bacteria that do not thrive in habitats that are either acidic (including vinegar) or sweet (including jam), but rather flourish in environments that are closed off.

You are required to carefully clean the products that you intend to keep and then boil them in water and vinegar before storing them in jars that have been sterilized. This is done to eliminate any potential risks.  

Constipation during pregnancy: the right diet  

Constipation is a very common pregnancy disorder. You can fight it with these few dietary tips.

During pregnancy, mainly due to hormonal factors and the pressure that the uterus exerts on the intestine, one of the disorders that most affects the future mother is probably constipation. The high level of progesterone relaxes the muscles and reduces the intestine's peristaltic movement, leading to slowed intestinal transit and constipation. This disorder can become more pronounced as the pregnancy progresses due to the pressure of the uterus on the rectum.

The mother-to-be can adopt certain measures to combat constipation effectively. It is important to observe your body to determine what action to take carefully. Regularly exercising and consuming foods that facilitate digestion and accelerate intestinal transit benefit the mother and allow her to combat this annoying disorder. Here are some ideas.  

Foods to avoid constipation during pregnancy   (nutrition during pregnancy)

The dried fruit    

Dried and dried fruits provide the most fibre to the body (12 to 16g/100g), which makes them very good foods to combat constipation. However, it would help if you did not over do it because they are very high in calories.  

Fresh vegetables  

Fresh vegetables, including asparagus, broccoli, corn, pumpkin, and potatoes (with the skin), are very healthy and high in fibre. Salads, spinach, and cabbage also help.   

Dry vegetables   

Dried vegetables (white beans, red beans, chickpeas, soybeans, and lentils), peanuts, walnuts, and almonds also provide fibre.   

Fresh fruit  

Most fruits help relieve constipation. Berries, peaches, apricots, cherries, raisins, rhubarb, and prunes are just some of the fruits that can help you. It is important not to peel fruits with edible skins, as they contain a lot of fibre. 

The cereals   

It is best to choose bread, biscuits, and pasta made from whole grains. Eating brown rice or wild rice rather than white rice is also advisable.   

 

The water   

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps combat constipation. You can drink about eight glasses a day, depending on your needs and what your doctor advises. You can also have fruit juice every morning.   

Seeds    

Sprinkling your yogurt or soup with two teaspoons of ground flaxseed or bran can help relieve constipation.   

Other foods   

Fish, chicken, turkey, and other lean meats are other foods you can eat because they don't contain fibre that won't worsen your constipation.