Anxious about food

[Jul16BF]

Hi, all

I suffer from mental health issues and I've become so anxious about the food I eat while pregnant. It's taking over! The week before last I cooked some smelly chicken, it tasted absolutely fine but can I clarify that it's only a problem if I was sick? It's so confusing and scary!

[Topsy34]

Hey, I would simply follow guidelines and adhere to use by dates (dont worry about best before dates, they are totally cool past eg biscuits) use by generally are ok for a day or so, but use them as a guide.

You will be fine with the chicken, especially if its vacuum packed or in the plastic trays from a supermarket, they generally do have a bit of a whiff when you open them as the oxygen is sucked out on packing.

The nhs website gives you a list of foods to avoid in pregnancy and with your anxieties it may help to use them guide you through your shopping. (i'm a bit lax and eaten all sorts!)

if you feel your anxieties are getting worse, then I would mention it to your midwife so they can offer you some extra support

[Jul16BF]

Thanks Topsy, the doctor's already referred me to the maternity mental health team...just waiting to hear back from them!

I'd heard chicken can be whiffy when you first open the plastic trays and that was what happened in this case. It was in date. Hopefully it's just that.

[Topsy34]

You would have been ill within 24 hours if the chicken was off.

Good to hear you are getting support already

[sepa]

If you haven't been sick and the chicken is in date then I wouldn't worry.
I find the meat smells way more now I am pg so this could also be adding to the smell!
Hope you get seen soon and mental health team help you x

[Jul16BF]

Thank you both :)

[sarah00001]

Bless you, I totally sympathise as I was the same when I was pregnant. Looking back, I think I worried far too much and regret it now, as I spent more time worrying about what could go wrong than enjoying my pregnancy. I'm sure there is no problem at all with the chicken, you weren't ill so it won't have affected you. My advice is just make sure that you cook meat thoroughly, eat within the use by date, wash hands, and utensils and chopping boards thoroughly when preparing meat and wash fruit and veg. As long as you do that, you'll be fine. Don't let pregnancy stop you enjoying food like I did. There is actually very little that can harm your baby at the end of the day.

[Jul16BF]

Thank you Sarah, I think because I'm only 6+3 I feel like I can't enjoy my pregnancy until I'm 12 weeks anyway, just in case the worst happens. Hopefully if and after I reach that stage, I will start to enjoy it more!