PREGNANCY NUTRITION The concept of ‘healthier pregnancies’ has reinforced a positive direction to prevent fetal damages from malnutrition, infection and drug abuse. This section provides you with key facts for a healthy pregnancy.

Eating Safe in Pregnancy

Important TIPS

• Wash your hands: prevention is the best cure and it is the easiest method to prevent any kind of infection.
• Keep the kitchen towel and surfaces clean
• Keep cold foods cold and refrigerate foods that you do not need immediately.
• Meats are safe only for 3-5 days. So do not use it after that.
• Reheat leftovers until steaming hot. Avoid all raw food and do not mix it with cooked food.
• Wash the lids of canned food before opening.
• Wash your hands (mentioned again because of the importance).
• Try to buy only seasonal fruits and local produce items, as these are fresh and free of preservatives.
• Prefer all organic food items
• Wash the surface of all fruits and vegetables
• Defrost non vegetarian items at room temperature or in water because microwave defrosted items have to be cooked immediately
• Cook meat till the colour in the middle is brown. Any mouldy covering, if detected, throw out the fruits or the food.

Remember that anything hard when it becomes mouldy. You can take the part out and eat the rest. But if the soft foods like dairy products, bread, grains, peanut butter, nuts, sauces and jams etc become mouldy, you have to throw the whole thing out.

WHEN IN ANY DOUBT, THROW AWAY.

• Avoid soft cheese, raw milk and smoked fish for the fear of a disease called Listerosis.
• Avoid raw eggs, and cracked eggs. Eat eggs which are cooked so that whites are set and the yolk has began to thicken
• Avoid too much of monosodium gluconatefor it may cause allergic reactions
• Avoid SACCHARIN because of the limited data and its ability to cross the placenta
• Tap water to be avoided at all costs

More information

1. Eating During the Working Day
2. Eating on the Move
3. Eating Out and About
4. Eating Well in Every Situation
5. What Should I Eat If I Am Carrying Twins