You need to consume an extra 300 calories when you are pregnant to ensure adequate nutrition for your baby. (see article on “Diet for vegetarian mums” for healthy pregnancy diet general tips).
Some foods to avoid:
- Avoid eating soft cheeses (such as brie or camembert) and soft blue-veined cheese (such as roquefort or Danish blue). These cheeses could contain Listeria, which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or serious illness in newborn babies.
- Pregnant women are advised not to eat pâté, including vegetarian pâté, which can also contain Listeria. Some vegetarian pâté contains raw eggs, which may carry a risk of salmonella infection.
- Pregnant women are also advised not to eat raw or partially cooked eggs.
- Avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol has been linked to premature delivery and low birth weight babies.
- Limit caffeine to no more than 300 mg. per day (or limit to two cups of coffee or tea per day)
- The use of non-nutritive or artificial sweeteners approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is acceptable during pregnancy. These FDA-approved sweeteners include aspartame and acesulfame-K. Avoid using saccharin as it can cross the placenta and might remain in fetal tissues.
Ms Suzanne Khor, Senior Dietician
The Child Development Centre (an affiliation to SBCC Baby & Child Clinic)
Novena Medical Centre #09-04
Tel: 6397 6627
Email: info@thomsonpaeds.com
Website: www.healthwayspecialists.com
