Are you an expectant mother? Then you need to know these things about food and drink! (Food Safety During Pregnancy)

If you are expecting a baby these days, this is a very important time for you and your baby. This is a time when we need to be more careful about what we eat and drink. Because, some foods can cause minor problems for you and your baby. So, today we will talk about what we eat and drink during pregnancy , especially what we need to be careful about. Don't worry, this is not a big deal, just a little attention is enough!

Why should we be so concerned about food and drink?

Simply put, during pregnancy, your body's immune system undergoes subtle changes. As a result, you are more likely to get sick from bacteria and viruses that can be found in certain foods. Infections caused by these foods, such as Listeriosis , Toxoplasmosis, and Salmonella , can sometimes be very dangerous for the baby in the womb. These can affect the baby's development, cause birth defects , and sometimes even lead to miscarriage. That's why we need to think about this so much.

So, what foods and drinks should we definitely avoid?

Okay, now let's see what foods we should put aside for a while during this time. Some of these may be your favorite foods, but you have to make a small sacrifice for the baby, right?

Let's stay away from these things to avoid bacterial infections!

There are some foods that are more likely to contain the dangerous bacteria mentioned earlier.

• Unpasteurized cheeses: Some cheeses are labeled "fresh" or made from unpasteurized milk. Examples include Feta, Goat cheese, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and Mexican queso fresco. It's best to stay away from these. However, if the cheese is labeled "pasteurized" and isn't sold in bulk at the store, it's usually safe.

Imagine you're buying cheese from the supermarket. If it's cut from a large wheel and left out, there's a greater chance of bacteria growing on it. That's why it's recommended to choose cheese that's individually packaged and ``pasteurized''.

• Unpasteurized Milk, Fruit Juice , and Apple Cider: Just like cheese, drinking unpasteurized milk and unpasteurized fruit juices is not good for you at this time.

• Raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs: This is something that many people do without realizing. Raw eggs can contain bacteria like Salmonella. Therefore, some homemade foods, such as Mousse, Tiramisu, raw cookie dough, some Eggnog, homemade ice cream (if made with raw eggs), and some Caesar salad dressings, may contain raw eggs. If you eat eggs, make sure both the yolk and the white are well-cooked.

• Raw or undercooked fish, shellfish, and meat: Eating raw fish, such as ``Sushi'', is not a good idea at this time of year. Similarly, eating undercooked meat and fish can also cause problems. When cooking meat, it should be cooked until it is well done inside. Avoid eating any pieces of meat that are pink.

• Paté and meat spreads: These can contain bacteria such as Listeriosis because they are sometimes sold refrigerated and sometimes not cooked properly.

• Processed meats: Examples include hot dogs and deli meats (such as sausages, ham, and bacon). If you eat these, make sure they are thoroughly heated and cooked. Don't just eat them straight from the package during this time.

What about seafood? Isn't it good to eat it too?

Seafood is actually a great thing to eat during pregnancy. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for your baby's brain development . It's also high in protein and low in saturated fat. However, there's a small problem here. Some seafood can contain high levels of a heavy metal called mercury . This mercury can harm your baby's brain development.

So, what kind of seafood should we eat, and what should we avoid?

• Definitely stay away from these types of fish:
• Shark
• Swordfish
• King Mackerel
• Tilefish
• Tuna steak (canned fish, especially light tuna, can be eaten in limited quantities, we'll talk about that in a bit)

• Well, then what are the safe seafood we can eat?
• When you choose seafood, it's best to eat a variety of fish and shellfish, rather than just one type.
• Limit your seafood intake to 12 ounces (about 340 grams) per week. This is usually equivalent to two servings.
• Safe seafood low in mercury includes: canned light tuna, mackerel, pollock, salmon, and shrimp.
• Albacore tuna ( also known as white tuna) has a little more mercury than light tuna. So, if you eat albacore tuna, limit it to no more than 6 ounces (about 170 grams) or one serving per week.

Remember, although seafood is a good thing, there is a saying that "too much of anything is bad." Therefore, it is very important to be careful about the quantity.

What other important things should we remember?

During this time, we need to think about our food choices, how we prepare them, and our cleanliness.

• Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly: Vegetables and fruits can contain not only invisible germs and dirt, but also pesticide residue . Therefore, wash them thoroughly under running water before eating. If possible, it is also a good idea to soak them in salt water for a while before washing.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing food and before eating: This is always important. But you need to be extra careful during pregnancy. Especially after handling raw meat and fish, you should definitely wash your hands thoroughly. Otherwise, you could end up transferring those germs to other foods.

Even if you have to give up this food until the baby is born... that's a short time!

Yes, I know, some of your favorite foods may be on this list. You may be thinking, "Oh, how can I live without these for these months?" But think about it, you are doing all this for the safety and health of your little one in your womb, right?

This is only temporary . After you have the baby, you can enjoy these foods again. Then you will taste them even more, because you know that you have endured something big and have been careful.

So, spend this time without fear and with joy in your heart. While being a little careful about what you eat and drink, enjoy this beautiful experience. If you have any questions or doubts, don't be shy and ask your doctor. They are the ones who can give you the best advice.

` Pregnancy, food safety, food during pregnancy, unhealthy food, bacterial infections, mercury, seafood