quick clicks

recipes today articles

recipes today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Food Facts, Cravings and Cautions

The Formula for a Healthy Diet During Pregnancy

By Jennifer Lacey

It is important to recognize that some expectant women may begin to experience cravings for non-food items, including clay, paint, plaster or dirt. This condition is called pica, and the potential consumption of these items can be dangerous to you and your baby. It is vital to report all non-food cravings to your primary care physician or OB/GYN as soon as possible. 

Pregnant women are at high risk for developing foodborne illnesses, as their immune system tends to be weakened during pregnancy. Although the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains this is a natural occurrence during pregnancy, this weakness makes it difficult for an expectant woman's body to fight off harmful foodborne microorganisms. Three common foodborne illnesses include toxoplasmosis, listeria and methylmercury.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a single-celled parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite infects birds, animals and humans. More than 60 million people in the United States may be infected with the parasite with various means of exposure. Signs and symptoms of this disease, if and when they present themselves, may bear striking similarities to the flu: swollen glands, fatigue, fever and muscle aches. Unfortunately, for pregnant women, the risks of exposure to and potential toxoplasmosis infection can have very severe risks to her health and the health of her developing baby.

These potentially harmful foodborne illnesses can be prevented with proper knowledge and appropriate safety precautions. Listeria is a harmful bacterium often found in meat, poultry, seafood and dairy (especially unpasteurized milk and milk products). This bacterium is particularly clever, as it can grow at refrigerated temperatures. According to the FDA, pregnant women are at least 20 times more likely to be diagnosed with listeriosis than other healthy adults.

Want to see more?

• Pregnancy Nutrition From A to Z: A Comprehensive List of Nutrition Issues for Moms-to-be
• An Even Dozen: Tips from the Surgeon General for a Safer, Healthier Mom and Baby
• Two of Everything, Please: Debunking the Myth
  of Eating for Two
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.