When you’re pregnant, you’re often told by family and friends to avoid certain things, and most of the time, the forbidden items are food. But are they always true? Here is a list of foods that are believed to be harmful to some people, but not others.
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In the US, women are told not to eat any raw fish like sushi. In Japan, that’s hardly the case. Still, there are concerns about mercury in some fish, as high levels of methylmercury can be toxic to your unborn baby’s nervous system. In general, the larger the fish, the more mercury it contains. So avoid tuna, mackerel, swordfish and shark, and opt for salmon, tilapia, shrimp, cod or catfish.
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This article was originally published in Shape.com.sg.
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Have you been warned that eating soy in pregnancy may lead to early puberty or irregular menstrual cycles (in girls) or urological problems (in boys)? Fret not. While soy has been linked to such outcomes in animals, there’s no conclusive scientific evidnce that these same effects occur in humans.
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Raw or rare red meat, like in steak tartar, can contain parasites that can cause toxoplasmosis, which can in turn cause a still birth or long-term structural damage. And cured and luncheon meats can be contaminated with listeria, which can cause a miscarriage as well as premature labour or delivery and a still birth. The exception: cured meats such as prosciutto and chorizo, which are salted, not cooked, if you cook them until they’re steaming hot and eat them immediately. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service advises that pregnant women avoid all types of pate, as they can contain listeria.
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The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink, especially considering the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome. However, a Danish study, published in the journal BJOG: International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found that mothers-to-be could drink up to eight alcoholic beverages per week during early- and mid-pregnancy with no adverse effects on their growing babies. The real danger: frequent heavy drinking or binge drinking (four or more drinks in two hours).
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Soft cheese made with unpasteurised milk such as brie, chevre and Mexican queso blanco may contain listeria. But the list of cheeses that are safe to eat is long and includes: hard cheeses, such as Cheddar, Parmesan and Stilton, even if made with unpasteurised milk; soft cheeses made of pasturised milk like mozzarella, feta, paneer and halloumi; and blue-veined cheeses like Gorgonzola and Roquefort if they have cooked (until melted and bubbling).
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There’s no need to say farewell to a morning coffee. While high levels of caffeine, found naturally in coffee, tea and chocolate can result in low birth weight and possibly miscarriage, most doctors as well as Singapore’s Health Promotion Board say you’re safe if you drink up to 200mg a day. That’s two cups of instant coffee, four cups of green tea or one Starbucks Grande flat white or cappuccino.
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