PREGNANCY AND HEALTHY EATING

WHEN YOU’RE EATING FOR TWO, HEALTHY FOOD IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

Hormonal changes when you are pregnant can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off infection.

Foods can sometimes be a source of infection so protecting yourself from foodborne illness when you are pregnant is extremely important.

FOODS TO AVOID

If you are pregnant it is advised that you avoid the following high risk foods:

soft and semi soft cheeses (eg brie, camembert and ricotta)

cold cooked chicken (as used in sandwiches and salads)

cold processed meats (eg ham, salami and pre-cut cold meats)

prepared cold salads (from supermarkets, buffets and salad bars)

raw and smoked seafood (eg oysters, sashimi, salmon and sushi) soft-serve ice cream and thickshakes pate unpasteurised dairy products including goats’ milk

raw eggs and food containing raw eggs (including mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce and desserts such as mousses, especially when homemade) raw or undercooked meats raw or lightly cooked sprouts including alfalfa, broccoli sprouts, onion sprouts, sunflower sprouts, clover sprouts, radish sprouts, snow pea sprouts and soybean sprouts

When pregnant it is also recommended to limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine.

For more information and advice, call 13 HEALTH (13 432 584) to speak to a registered nurse about you or your child’s health.

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the cost of a local call.

13 HEALTH is not an emergency line. For help in emergency situations phone 000.