Food!!

[firsttimemummy2016]

Hi everyone.
I know there's a list on the NHS of what to avoid but a bit of personal opinion wouldn't go a miss please :)

I've changed from dairy to soya products, am I ok to still have the odd white decaff with cows milk? (one a week)

Eggs; do you completely avoid or Just cook them to death to ensure they're cooked?

Nuts; all nuts, some nuts? Are seeds ok?

And mayo... Is it all mayo or just home made? Trying to pick up a prepacked sandwich at work is a chore trying to get a mayo free one!

Thanks xxxx

[Steph1502]

I eat all of the above. Why have you changed to soya? In my honest opinion, people are far far too cautious these days. The only thing I have cut out is alcohol and I gave up smoking. Everything else in moderation. As long as you eat a healthy, balanced diet then I genuinely don't think it will do you any harm. How did the earth become so populated before all the advice and guidelines came into play.

[bunny85]

Hi firsttime, congrats on your pregnancy. To answer your questions:

• diary is fine! Did you switch to soy because you thought diary wasn't allowed? It is, as long it's pasteurised. Also soft mouldy cheeses are banned.

In fact, hard cheeses, milk, yogurt etc all contain calcium and are very healthy.

• eggs need to be hard boiled

• all nuts and seeds are fine (except not too much of flaxseeds - apparently can act as hormones in your body). Even peanuts are now allowed (they changed the rules). Unless you are allergic to any, of course.

• home made mayo is a no-no, but any mayo from the store is fine, because it's all pasteurised.

Oh and by the way, if you accidentally eat a one-off 'banned' food (happens to all of us!) don't beat yourself up or panic. Just try to follow these guidelines generally.

Good luck!

[Steph1502]

Oh and I drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day (with cows milk)

[TitusAndromedon]

Can I ask why you've switched to soya products? There's no evidence at all that dairy is harmful, as long as it's pasteurised. One of my friends drank very little other than milk through her pregnancy, and I seem to have a diet comprised 50% of cheese at the moment.

Eggs are fine. Runny eggs are fine as long as they're lion stamped. I have eggs every morning for breakfast. They are a fantastic source of a range of nutrients that are excellent for your baby.

Most nuts and seeds are absolutely fine. There are some questions regarding flaxseed, but in small quantities it's not a problem. I eat a small amount if almonds most days as a good snack that fills me up.

Mayonnaise is fine. Technically it shouldn't be homemade because of the raw egg, but see info above regarding lion-stamped eggs.

The NHS list is comprehensive. You're making limitations that are unnecessary and could result in you not getting nutrients and vitamins that are really good in pregnancy.

[Mangobubbles]

Hi, I'm 38 wks pg with 3rd child and I just follow nhs guidelines as they seem pretty sensible. Dairy is fine if pasteurised, eggs fine if cooked, Mayo fine, nuts are now fine (advice has changed). Good luck with your pregnancy.

[hiccoughybump]

Eat all the nuts and shop bought Mayo you like. Home made Mayo is not recommended as its make from raw egg. There's no evidence that buts do any harm and in fact might actually protect little one from allergies in future if you eat it now.

You're allowed 200mg caffeine a day, which is about 2 instant coffees or one Costa. Tea contains about 75mg per cup. Why have you changed from dairy to soya?

Basically just avoid anything from an animal that isn't cooked through and you'll be fine. With cheeses it's the soft mould ripened ones that cause the problem (so some goats cheeses are ok but not all for example)

I'd honestly stick to the NHS advice rather than the opinions of random strangers from the Internet though

[bunny85]

Steph, all of these products are fine and harmless in pregnancy, the reason women are advised to avoid them is that there may be a very small, tiny chance they could be contaminated and it's just to eliminate the risk completely. If one eats all unpasteurised stuff, raw eggs, rare steak etc it's 99.999% chance nothing will happen, but they just try to advise to err on the side of caution.

[Chchchchangeabout]

Why change to soya? I would be more wary of that than dairy tbh

[firsttimemummy2016]

I changed from dairy to soya for two reasons;
I had a dairy allergy when I was born and numerous times I've heard that having too much dairy in pregnancy can cause allergies. I was allergic until 3 ish and mum struggled a lot with it.
I randomly became lactose intolerant 5 years ago but been back on cows milk 6-9 months (gradually building up tolerance). I am generally ok with it, but it gives me a bit of IBS - something I could do without during pregnancy.
Figured just going back to soya as I have for 5 years isn't a big deal for me.
Chocolate is repulsive to me at the minute too so that helps :p

I'm happy to hear I can eat nuts and seeds!

Thanks everyone :) I've never been so hungry in my life!!
Xxx

[batfish]

I say all fine - I am drinking 1-2 coffees per day but I have it black as don't like milk. Have never heard of dairy being an issue - I personally wouldn't want to be cutting out any food groups during pregnancy unless I had an intolerance or something. Eggs as long as well cooked or lion stamped also fine. I haven't heard anything about nuts or seeds being a problem - I think maybe they used to advise against nuts years ago? I may be wrong but I have had more than one person tell me I shouldn't be eating nuts before I tell them politely to piss off Homemade mayo as long as lion eggs is fine otherwise guidelines say to avoid but I had some by accident in a sandwich a few weeks ago and survived, even if you do have something you're not supposed to then chances of it being a problem are tiny.

[bunny85]

Me too, I'm absolutely starving 24/7! Have to even wake up at night to eat Obviously none of my clothes fit. I said to my fiancé last night that if it wasn't for the scan, I'd think there was 5 in there!

[Steph1502]

I understand why it's advised to avoid certain products... However, in a normally fit and healthy individual the risk is so rare that all these rules and regulations can cause such undue stress and anxiety to women who are obviously very confused as to what is safe and what is not and, like a PP suggested, could result in someone missing out on important nutrients for their DC. I'm now on DC4 with my oldest being 12. When I fell pregnant 13 years ago I was told no shellfish, no mayo, no nuts, no soft cheese (including Philadelphia), I could have the 'odd' glass of wine (I'm not sure exactly where the facts and figures came from when the midwife told me this). Now I'm told go for it... Some eggs are safe, most cheeses are safe, eat shellfish all you want, don't drink alcohol EVER, in fact, even raw sushi is fine sometimes
In fact, my partner and I went to a restaurant very early in my pregnancy and we both had chicken and ended up with food poisoning. Baby is healthy and thriving at the moment. Will that stop me from ever eating chicken or dining out for the remainder of my pregnancy? In a word: no.
You probably run a greater risk of crossing the road and being hit by a bus so are we all going to wrap ourselves in cotton wool during our pregnancies and never leave the house? No. In my opinion, eat well and sensibly. As you would any other time. That's just my opinion.

[firsttimemummy2016]

Tell me about it bunny85! First two weeks barely anything got eaten, but all hell has broken since! Had a sandwich half an hour ago, starving again!
My work trousers are tight already (only 4w1d pg). Suffering from severe bloating and put 0.5kg on (1lb). Got maternity jeans and work trousers so I don't have to buy a bigger size in normal. They're comfy as hell!
Past 2-3 days trousers are suddenly tight to a point where I've undone them when sat at work! Nice to be able to relax!
The belly is baggy on both, but I can Wear a belt until I fill them! X

[firsttimemummy2016]

Thanks steph1502. Gutted about the food poisoning but very happy to hear it didn't effect anything.

To be honest at the minute I only want to eat toast and ham sandwiches So the foods to avoid aren't playing much part at the minute but I'm sure over the next 8 months that'll change!
I don't like fish unless it's in a finger, so going to get some of the whole grain or omega 3 ones to boost some nutrients I think :)

I have my first mw appt in 4 weeks so I'll ask her about my milk allergy as a baby and if it's a concern, if not I'll introduce normal milk back in :)
Xxx

[Steph1502]

It's totally understand all of you've had previous issues with dairy. You wouldn't be wanting to make yourself ill again especially when pregnancy can already make you feel yucky. Congrats on your pregnancy xx

[Steph1502]

Understandable*

[bunny85]

I agree Steph that most of these rules are silly. However I'm a terrible worrier and it's my first pregnancy... So you can imagine I'm long way from feeling relaxed! For you of course being pg for the 4th time it must be a bit easier in terms of stressing out/being paranoid But I'll work on it! (We want 4 DC too - however my mum says have this one first and then I'll see what you say!)

[Jackiebrambles]

Does soya milk give the same amount of calcium as regular dairy?

You need calcium in your pregnancy imo as the baby needs it, so if you get rid of dairy from your diet you might want to consider replacing it with calcium from other sources?

[Steph1502]

Oh I remember being the same when I had DD1 but I think as the pregnancies go on you definitely become more relaxed. It's just a shame it's all so confusing for first timers. I wonder if there was a new regulation that no woman was to eat chocolate during her pregnancy would it stick? Lol. Ah once you have a second one any more kids just fit in lol. This is Defo the last though. I'm too tired now to have any more after this one lol x

[firsttimemummy2016]

Cows milk contains 290-300mg per 8 ounce of milk, soya contains 150-300 dependant on brand.
To be honest I don't have milk much because I think it tastes gross. Soya milk is much easier on the palette so I actually end up drinking more.
Cheese tho.... I could live off the stuff!

Thanks for the Congrats steph :) Congrats to you too x

[happygojo]

Re: Calcium, there are lots of ways to get calcium such as leafy greens and also water, especially if you live in a hard water area. If you are taking a vitamin D tab too you will be fine IMO

I have pretty much followed NHS guidelines. I have avoided cured meats, pate, soft cheeses and I only eat shop bought lion stamped eggs (I KNOW eggs are fine if lion stamped but the only way to step away from Dr. Google was to follow NHS to the letter)

[firsttimemummy2016]

My doctor told me when ttc not to take anything except folic acid until I visit the Mw once pg.
I don't eat too much on the list to be honest, eggs are rare, nuts and chorizo are the most consumed items... And I can live without chorizo for the sake of a healthy tiny human :)
Thanks.xxx

[dinodiva]

I'm 24 weeks with DC1 and am paying attention to the advice that makes real scientific sense to me, rather than the mini-risks like eating things like eggs and shellfish. So liver, fish at the top of the food chain are all out for me, but that's about it. They're not things I really eat anyway! I'm also enjoying the occasional small glass of red wine.

This is me though, my take on the advice, and what feels right for me. I think at the end of the day it's best to read the advice and do whatever you feel most comfortable with, and that's fair enough. :-)

[sizethree]

In ever had much dairy in my diet as it tends to flare my eczema up. So I opt for almond milk instead of milk (it's firtified with calcium) and I flippin LOVE the Alpro choc soya milk as a treat. I'm avoiding eggs as I only like em runny. And mayo is fine as long as the egg is pasteurised, which it will be in pre packed sangers and Hellmans mayo.
The NHS guidelines are the best reference but if you'd prefer to avoid something to just be on the safe side and to avoid worry then do, just so long as you're not causing yourself extra anxiety or loosing essential vitamins and minerals from your diet as its so important that you get enough nutrients from food in pregnancy and not just rely on your pregnancy Vitamins.
It's also super important to stay hydrated so remember you can get hydration from soup abd juicy fruit and veg. I found it hard to stomach a lot of food on early pregnancy as was so nauseus but I was militant about sipping water and keeping well hydrated.

[misssmilla1]

Read and go with the NHS guidelines; google will give you loads more info, but a lot of this isn't relevant to the UK due to the differences in food hygiene practices in other countries (for example here in the US, the guidelines are different to the UK on deli meat, eggs, fruit etc)

In addition, I recommend the book Expecting Better by Emily Ostler. She's a scientist who has used peer research papers to back up or debunk the myths of pregnancy i.e. can I dye my hair, how much coffee can I drink, can I really et eggs? etc etc