Foodborne illness is a serious health risk for pregnant women and their unborn babies. During pregnancy, changes in hormones can cause a woman's immune system to become suppressed, so that it could be harder to fight off infections. Some food-borne illnesses can cause a woman to have pregnancy complications such as a miscarriage, stillbirth or serious health problems for the baby after birth. Along with nutrition concerns, a growing topic of importance is food safety during pregnancy. Before You're Pregnant: Protect your unborn baby from methylmercury and toxoplasmosis. And take folic acid supplements! While You’re Pregnant: Protect your unborn baby from methylmercury, toxoplasmosis, listeria, and other foodborne illness.
Check here most recent food recalls
Study Links Consumption of Trans Fats to Bigger Babies
We've known for over twenty years that trans fats (man-made fats used to preserve the shelf life of foods) negatively affect our health, but new research is showing that it may also affect the health of our newborns.
... read more »
A Soy Savvy Pregnancy: Is Soy Helpful or Harmful to Health?
Some researchers have cautioned against consumption of soy protein, reporting findings that soy increases the risk of breast cancer. This, however, is not the case.
... read more »
Raw Milk May Put You at Risk both During and After Pregnancy
Though it's commendable that many people are attempting to eat less processed, more natural and wholesome foods, there are certain cases when this isn't the best option.
... read more »
Not All Unsaturated Fats are Created Equal
Why some pregnant women may benefit from decreased omega-6 fat intake.
... read more »
How Much Iodine Is Too Much During Pregnancy?
With a healthy diet and help of daily prenatal vitamin, most pregnant and breastfeeding women are sure to get enough of all essential vitamins and minerals but are they consuming too much of them?
... read more »
Maternal Vitamin D Level and Diabetes in Offspring
Yet another health benefit of vitamin D has been added to the long list of this micronutrient's essential functions which include promoting calcium absorption and maintaining good bone health.
... read more »
Magnesium For Muscle Cramps In Pregnancy
Painful leg and other muscle camps in pregnancy can be eased with magnesium in foods or supplementation.
... read more »
2013's Best Rated Diet is Perfect for Pregnancy
The winner of this year'sUS News top overall diet is the dietitian-approvedDASH -DietaryApproachestoStopHypertension-eatingplan. TheDASH diet, which has snagged first place for a second year in a row, was praised by a panel of health experts.
... read more »
Seasonal and Nutritional Pregnancy Diet Foods
Top produce picks when it comes to healthy summertime eating for both mom and baby.
... read more »
Too Little Salt During Pregnancy Not Good
It has become common knowledge that consuming too much sodium is unhealthy and leads to high blood pressure. But a new study published in the American Journal of Physiology -- Renal Physiology has found that consuming too little sodium is also damaging.
... read more »
Beyond Preventing Birth Defects
It is recommended that all women of childbearing age take a folic acid
supplement or multivitamin with at least 400 mcg of folic acid because
this B vitamin is known to prevent neural tube defects such as spinal
bifida and encephalopathy.
... read more »
Vitamins and Minerals in Pregnancy - RDA
Prenatal vitamins and other supplements are advised for women who are trying to conceive, who are pregnant, and who are nursing. The RDA tells you how much vitramins are recommended.
... read more »
Boost Fertility Naturally with These 5 Foods
Baby-making can be as delicious as it is fun. These five foods are not just yummy, they deliver nutrients that boost a woman's fertility and create optimum health during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
... read more »
Nutritious Fast Foods During Pregnancy
There are several nutritious and healthy fast foods that are safe to consume during pregnancy.
... read more »
Is It Safe to Eat Pate or Liver While Pregnant?
Wondering if it is safe to eat liver or pate during pregnancy? Keep reading!
... read more »
Importance of Both Whole and Refined Grains During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, grains are an important source of energy and nutrients and should be included in most meals.
... read more »
Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe During Pregnancy?
If you use artificial sweeteners and are pregnant, it is always best to
talk with your care provider on which sweetener you are using and how
much you are consuming.
... read more »
Is Chocolate Healthy?
New study shows chocolate has heart healthy effects in diabetic women.
... read more »
Evital: Fake Morning After Pill Not Approved by FDA
A fake morning after pill may be circulating in the United States. The drug, sold under the brand name Evital, is approved for use in the Dominican Republic.
... read more »
Harmful Fats in Mom’s Diet Can Effect Newborn’s Health
The higher a woman's intake of trans fats (chemically produced fats that are not beneficial to health) during the second trimester of pregnancy, the larger her newborn.
... read more »
Prebiotics and Probiotics During Pregnancy
Many women experience a form of gastrointestinal discomfort at some point during their pregnancy: nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. For women who experience them frequently or who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, there may want to try probiotics and prebiotics.
... read more »
Three Fall Foods Are More Nutritious Than You May Think
From golden to red hues and sweet to tart flavors, apples can please almost any palate. Apples are full of antioxidants which are linked to the prevention and control of gestational diabetes.
... read more »
Food Prep Precautions During Pregnancy
Take these precautions when preparing food.
... read more »
How Much Caffeine Is in Tea?
During pregnancy, you should limit your daily caffeine intake to under 200 mg. Tea contains caffeine and depending on which tea you drink, and how much you drink.
... read more »
Pregnancy Diet May Affect Future Bone Health of Child
It's known that eating well during pregnancy holds an abundance of health benefits for both mother and baby, but a new study has shed light on the extent to which nutrition during pregnancy can specifically affect a baby bone health.
... read more »
Fertility-Friendly Fats
Along with increasing risk of coronary artery disease, saturated fat has now been found to decrease fertility in men. The difference is significant.
... read more »
Do Fish Oil Supplements Increase Children’s Intelligence?
Two essential omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are extremely important during pregnancy, but can extra supplementation beyond diet increases a child's intelligence?
... read more »
Diet Sodas During Pregnancy
Diet soda during pregnancy is an issue that still has not been completely decided.
... read more »
Best Diet To Follow Before and During Pregnancy
When you are pregnant you want to do what is best for you and your baby, but which diet is optimal during pregnancy? Keto, vegan, intermittent fasting?
... read more »
Is Smoked Seafood Safe During Pregnancy?
Is it safe to eat smoked seafood during pregnancy?
... read more »
Raw Meat and Pregnancy
Toxoplasmosis causes the most severe damage in the first trimester.
... read more »
Are Cold Cuts Safe During Pregnancy?
Be careful with lunch and deli meats during pregnancy.
... read more »
Can I Eat Cheese During Pregnancy?
Certain types of cheese pose a risk during pregnancy.
... read more »
Raw Eggs During Pregnancy
Raw or undercooked eggs are not recommended in pregnancy
... read more »
Food Too Dirty to Eat During Pregnancy?
Wash your vegetables all the time
... read more »
Pregnancy Nutrition: Q & A for All Pregnant Women
Nutrition is one of the most important ways to prevent pregnancy complications (both fetal and maternal). The foods pregnant women eat set the stage for growth and development during pregnancy.
... read more »
Is a Low-Acid Diet the Way To Go During Pregnancy?
You may have heard of a new diet based on controlling the acid/base balance of the body to achieve a better state of health. The 'Alkaline Diet' is gaining popularity.
... read more »
The Vegan Pregnancy: Tips to Ensure Proper Nutrition
Many women find that it is not always easy to consume all of the proper foods and supplements to ensure adequate nutrition during pregnancy, but a vegan diet can be an added challenge.
... read more »
Unpasteurized Milk and Listeria
Pasteurization (named after Louis Pasteur) is a process which slows down microbial growth in food. It does not kill all bacteria, just reducing their number so they are less likely to cause a disease.
... read more »
Raw Sprouts During Pregnancy - Are They Safe?
Raw sprouts should not be consumed by pregnant women because of the potential health hazards they pose.
... read more »
Cantaloupes Not Advised During Pregnancy
Cantaloupes appear to be a healthy fruit, however, they have been associated with potentially deadly salmonella and listeria outbreaks.
... read more »
Salt and Pregnancy
During pregnancy and lactation, a woman's sodium metabolism (utilization) is altered by hormone activity. As a result, sodium needs are slightly higher for women at this time.
... read more »
“Eating for Two” is a Little Too Much During Pregnancy
Many women believe that pregnancy gives the go-ahead to and eat for two. Though this seems to make some sense, it is (unfortunately for some) a nutrition myth.
... read more »
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of the most common known causes of mental retardation, and the only cause that is entirely preventable.
... read more »
Higher Stroke Risk for Vegetarians, Says Study
A study from the British Medical Journal found that vegetarians and fish eaters are at a higher risk of suffering and death from a stroke.
... read more »
Is It Safe to Drink Tap Water During Pregnancy?
If you are pregnant and drinking tap water, you should know that certain chemicals that can be found in your drinking water might have a negative effect on the fetal development of your child.
... read more »
Take-out and Fast Food During Pregnancy
Take-out and fast food should be avoided during pregnancy if possible. These foods contain loads of salt, sugar and sometimes even chemicals that can harm both the mother and the unborn child.
... read more »
Artificial Sweeteners During Pregnancy
Aspartame is the artificial sweetener found in NutraSweet, Equal, and most diet soft drinks and other sugar-free treats, and it's considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts.
... read more »
The 7 Rules For Healthy Foods
Michael Pollan has 7 rules for healthy food. They are even more important for pregnant women.
... read more »
How to Choose a Healthy Pregnancy Snack in 12 Steps
Now that you are pregnant it's important to find out which healthy snack is best during pregnancy.
... read more »