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Food items on the no no list for preggos
Added: 80 days ago.
Added by: professorpreggers
Section: General.
Status: This question is Closed. (Questions will be closed after 10 days.)


I have religiously stayed away from deli meats, soft cheeses such as blue and feta as well as caffeine and alcohol. My Dr recently told me that she drank Coke all through her pregnancies (not something I think I’ll try) and she told me that caffeine in moderation was fine. I’m curious how seriously other moms are taking these pregnancy dos and don’ts. I even read that pregnant women shouldn’t eat soft cooked eggs (something I did for the first weeks of pregnancy not knowing that I wasn’t supposed to) or cold salads such as chicken or egg from the deli or supermarket. I’m wondering what concessions you moms are making or if you are all sticking to these pregnancy no no’s the way the books tell us to?

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wildberry - 78 days ago Rating: 5 (1 votes) i was very strict you can have deli meat if you heat it to steaming first i quite coffee right away but four days later ended up drinking dr pepper as it was the only fluid that i could keep down i tried every natural carbonated drink you could think of oh well i stayed strict on everything else and my baby came out just lovely

mrscolegrove - 78 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) well im 13 weeks and still drink coffee im down to only one cup a day cuz ive been told that much caffiene a day is fine i just stay away from soda and other things with caffeine the rest of the day

eastern-Canadian-Lady - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I CAN"T eat anything this time around. Last time, it was only meat and the smell of popcorn that made me ill. This time, it's almost everything. I can usually only eat toast and peanut butter, milk, instant breakfast shakes (occasionally) and All-Bran bars (original flavour). The first four in that list were the ONLY things I could eat for more than 4 straight weeks! I can't eat meat, fruit, yogurt, veggies, pasta, nothing sweet. I have a very small diet, no caffeine at all, I can't even eat chocolate this time. I craved chocolate so bad last time, I should have had shares in cadbury! I just discovered that I can now eat banana pancakes, which is one more thing to add to my very limited diet. I have lost more than 30 lbs this pregnancy, docs and nutritionist are getting a bit worried. I am now at 26 weeks, and this should have passed by now. I am glad that I can stomach prenatal vitamins, bc if I couldn't have those, I would be even more worried about my baby, at least this way I know the baby is getting at least a few vitamins a day. Just eat what you can. Our bodies have a way of letting us know what we should not be eating. Last time, I could eat almost everything, and pretty much did. My baby was pretty healthy. She was 21 and 3/4 inches long, and weighed exactly 8 lbs. Hope this helps.

Melanie07 - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I only somewhat obeyed the rules. A lot of it is precaution. I have had three kids. I stayed away from they things that common sense tells you is bad. Some caffeine is fine. I ate tuna. The thing with the soft boiled eggs is the chance of samonila.

Debra - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i stayed away from most things. I couldn't take caffeine as it made me ill. I accidentally ordered a coffee when I was about 34 weeks and forgot to add 'decaf' to my order. my baby went wild and was kicking all over the place! Caffeine is a drug and though it won't have an effect on us so much as we are adults, it will on children who have immature neuro systems and cannot take that much stimulation. I did have a couple sips of wine every few months and I had deli meats- making sure they were fresh. the concern with meats is that they are full of nitrates ( a preservative chemical) and salt which can make water retention even worse.

Shay9586 - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) A lot of those things they tell you not eat if it says it has not been fully cooked, most deli meat isn't, but the chicken and what not in salads usually are cooked. You can eat any of the stuff if you cook it, and it's been cooked thoroughly. Shoot the only thing I don't listen to is the deli meat thing, cuz it's not like I eat it religiously or something, and many people who are pregnant eat it, and the babies come out fine. With caffiene though I stopped way before I got pregnant, cuz of a class I had and all the stuff it can do to you....it wasn't pleasant, so bye bye caffiene, except for the occasional coffee.

gr8scottswife - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I eat chicken salad sandwiches all the time. They are my main stay during this pregnancy. However, caffeine in moderation is okayed by most modern texts. (3 cups of coffee and under or 350 mg of caffeine per day) I, myself, only have caffeine occassionally, like in something I eat that's chocolate or once or twice per month when I'm eating out. I'm sure I've done some of the other no nos with or without knowing them, but I don't believe that my baby is hurt in any way. My mother actually started smoking when she got pregnant with me and has smoked ever since. I turned out very healthy and am still pretty healthy except for occassional allergies that I acquired while living in Texas. I have pretty much lived a doctor free life, so althought these things are recommended because they could cause problems, it is better to avoid things if you can and at least do some things in moderation. I don't freak out over every little thing, though I'm conscientious about feeding my baby healthy food.

KarenVG - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Errm, where I live I guess they are bad at telling you what not to eat, and I think they should do better at informing us of the do's and Don'ts. I used to live in the UK and know from family they are very good at telling you what to eat and not to eat. It also changes from time to time. However I am not quite as careful as you are, but bravo to you, your baby is getting a good start in life! I have cut back on things and avoid the feta and drink a whole less coffee, I have drunk coke as it helps remove the thunderous headaches but I only drink that once in a while. I never heard of the deli meat either or the salad though I can see why so I guess I will be avoiding it from now on. I am eating more fruits and veggies than before and am always conscious that whatever goes in is feeding the baby too so I eat sweet things in moderation unless I have a bingy moment!!! HA! I think if you know what to not eat you are crazy to eat it, I think you should count yourself lucky your doctor has taken the time to inform you of all this.

skittles0607 - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I have given up alot of things that are no no's.. I do drink some caffeine but not everyday and not alot. I may drink a coke here and there or drink a cup of tea.. My dr said that pregnant people should not eat deli meats cold. it was ok if you heat them. I havent tried this though. I never knew about the egg thing.. As lonng as you dont eat or drink something all day everyday I think the baby will be fine. Periodically it should be fine.

mrsbekki - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I think I have done Wonderfully giving up the things that my doctor has said was a No! I don't eat lunch meat at all, even though I have been craving a turkey bacon sandwich. I use to drink coffee almost all day long, haven't touched it since I found out I was prego. And That goes for any caffeine. Haven't had fish yet, but never really ate it before. I don't eat the "bad" cheeses. No sushi (yuck) or anything that has raw eggs. However, I have never heard about not eating deli salads...that is a new one to me. Really don't understand that one, if they are made with hard boiled eggs they are perfectly fine to eat.

jessicadanielle82 - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I've stayed away from deli meats unless I heat it up. Never liked fish or soft cheeses, so that was something that I didn't have to worry about. The caffine thing was a completely different story for me. I drank a DIET pepsi every morning for breakfast, & then usually had another for dinner. When I found out I was pregnant, I stopped cold turkey. Big mistake. Not only did I have all the 1st trimester symptoms, but I was "withdrawing" from the caffine as well. It did help me a little that pepsi seem to be my first adversion though. I tried to drink one just to help with a headache, & it just tasted gross to me & made me want to vomit. I gradually started drinking caffine free pepsi, & I rarely do that. On occasion, I do drink regular coke or pepsi, but that's usually only when I can't get the caffine free (ie restaruants). I do know that my mother drank pepsi like water when she was prenant with me, & contrary to popular belief, I turned out fine. All in all, I think it's a personal preference.

lady26 - 79 days ago Rating: 3 (2 votes) Eating these things once or twice during pregnancy is not harmful. It's if you are eating these things on a regular basis thats when it becomes harmful, but to be on the safe side try to avoid them as much as possible. I have friends that was do all the things they said you should not do and baby turns out fine.

LMO - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i drank cokes everyday while i was pregnant the only thing i stayed away from was high mercury foods.

agonzales - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I eat the same way I ate before getting prego. Which is anything I want. I did with my other 2 kids too and they are fine. I try not to drink too much soda but I do have to atleast have one a day or I get really bad migraines. Of course I dont drink alcohol or smoke.

leanie093 - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) everything with moderation. obviously i never ate soft cheeses like blue & feta b/c they're unpasterized & obviously alcohol is a big NO NO. but other than that i ate whatever whenever with my first pregnancy. even had coke once in awhile & i'm sure he loved it too. i wasn't over nor underweight. only gained a total of 40 lbs and my son came out the perfect size. 7 lbs 4 oz. 20 1/2 in. theres no reason to stress yourself about dos and donts. pregnancy hormones drive us crazy anyways. enjoy your pregnancy.

dvsrunt - 79 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) For whatever reason, I have gotten more relaxed the more pregnancies I have. I stay away from soft cheeses and deli meats that aren't heated up. (I love hot ham and cheese!!) but i don't worry to much about the does and don'ts. I have learned that they will only cause worry and I have enough of that already!! LOL

kater - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i know its a bit naughty, but i have been drinking coffee-one cup per day, and occasionally have salami. i dont eat soft cheeses, i have turned down heaps of different types of food because i thought it smelled funny. and i trust that the reason pregnant women have a stronger sense of smell is to protect them from harmful foods.

RandiLee - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) anything uncooked....(meat, eggs, sushi) Eggs are fiiiine.....unless they're uncooked. Caffeine is fine in moderation. I drink Coca Cola....I love it. And i'm pretty sure my baby does too, lol.

mommytobe29 - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I pretty much follow all the rules except the one against caffine. Honestly.. since getting pregnant I probably drink more soda now than before.. but I try to make sure I don't take in too much by switching to soda's that don't have caffine.. such as sprite.

mellowyellow - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Hey eggs r ok as long as they are washed (outer) and cooked through. I would vouch for eggs cooked in my own home but not from a deli etc. Have to b careful with some types of dressings which are made with raw egg. Recently had a nasty breakout of gastro here in Tasmania from a salad dressing made from raw eggs. (I think the culprit was LISTERIA) . Cheeses r ok if they are made from pasturised milk or milk products. Not sure where u r from... In Aus all aus cheeses have 2 b made of pasturised milk. I was told that fish is safe if it is cooked and served piping hot. I so miss my smoked salmon!! I steer clear from all salami and pre packaged meats. Hope this helps!

ashleyandcaleb - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I'm very careful as well..man, i get so paranoid over seafood,i google everything just to see if its safe!I don't even like to drink soda much..i think its good that your being so careful:)

Baby3OnWay - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I actually didn't know about the eggs one and have eatten eggs over easy with all pregnancies. I drink pepsi here and there and LOVE the fountain pops at take out places as it really quenches my thirst, I still have one small coffee everymorning as it helps keep me regular. I do have a sub or cold meat here and there... I have cream cheese on bagles once a week!.... i never went to extreme as my Dr said that these things in small quantities aren't so bad and concidering I use to drink 5 or more coffees a day I'm doing pretty good! Its good to be aware of what your eating pregnant or not but as long as you don't live on these things and these things alone and are getting all the nutrients you need I'm sure you will be fine! OH another thing I have had that I shouldn't is smoked oysters and calamari... but again only a few times here and there. Take care!

Mommyof2boys - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) A little caffeine is fine, once in a while I'll have a sweet tea, and as far as deli meats, the only thing I would eat there for a while was subway I asked my doctor and he said its certain meats that you have to becareful with.

stephandisaac - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I didn't stick to much with either of my boys. I did drink my 2 cups of coffee in the morning and had an occasional glass of Iced tea. I ate deli meats like crazy...that's what I craved. They say not to eat soft boiled or runny eggs though because of the salmonella. It's really just a personal choice. None of these no no's were around years ago. It's like it is for us...carbs are good one day and bad the next. Same with fat, eggs, alcohol...you get the point. haha

mayasmom - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I was very careful, myself. I stayed away from everything suggested that I avoid, including caffeine, diet pop (all artificial sweeteners), soft cheeses, bean sprouts, all deli meats, hot dogs, fish with mercury, undercooked eggs, unpasturized juices, etc...The only real sacrifice was the hotdogs...I craved them like crazy and I rarely eat them even when I am "allowed".

suzanne7210 - 80 days ago Rating: 5 (1 votes) I drink Iced tea everyday all day long with this pregnancy and my last one. My daughter is fine. I do not eat deli meats or soft cheeses. I have heard of women losing their babies from bacteria when eating deli meats. It's only 9 months hold out.

sarahann - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I drank a cup of coffee a day at the beginning of my pregnancy but then even the smell of coffee made me sick, so it wasn't an issue. I did have the odd coke towards the end though. I tried to avoid pre packaged salads, semi cooked eggs and soft cheeses etc as best I could. I think the chances of getting food poisoning or any of the other illnesses which can affect the baby are very slim, but I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if something did happen that I could've avoided.

slg3233 - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I don't really eat fish to begin with, the only thing that I can say that I am guilty of is caffeine during pregnancy. I have always loved Coke and I still drink it while I am pregnant. I don't drink it as much as I would if I wasn't pregnant but I do have a couple of cokes a day.

MelissaJoanne - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I've stuck to it pretty well. I don't eat meat, so none of those restrictions mean anything to me. I also don't eat deli salads, so no loss there. The thing thats killing me is the soft cheese restriction - I used to eat Delice de Bourgogne - the most fabulous of triple cream French cheeses - on an almost daily basis. My husband is planning to bring me some in the hospital after I give birth! I miss the soft eggs too, I make a great hollandaise sauce, and I do like a poached egg. I suppose I get a small amount of caffeine from chocolate, and the occasion decaf coffee. I get so many migraines, and the tiny amount of caffeine in decaf coffee helps. I guess that I could say that I have rigorously avoided all of the 'no-no' foods. As much as I crave brie and vegetarian eggs benedict, I don't really think it's worth the small risk.

monica9 - 80 days ago Rating: 5 (1 votes) I dont eat any fish other than the kind they say I can have (shrimp, clams, sole, tilapia) and I dont have them very often. I used to eat tuna steaks once a week and gave them up. I also didnt eat deli meats for the first 2 trimesters and now I only eat them if they are microwaved until steaming. I used to drink 3 cups regular coffee per day but didnt have any for the first trimester and first part of second. I started having 1 cup regular on Sat and sundays and I drink natural organic water stripped decaf 3 times per week (one cup). One of my cravings was buffalo sauce and blue cheese but I didnt cave in, I just used ranch instead. I havent put anything else that we arent supposed to in my mouth but 2 more weeks! yay!!

leahs - 80 days ago Rating: 4 (1 votes) When I cut out all my caffeine while pregnant I got extremely ill. I had migraines, shakes, nausea, my dr. told me to have a coke or cup or two of coffee each day. Alot of no-no's are common sense (smoking/drinking) alot of them (no pre-packaged salads,no alfalfa sprouts)seem a bit much, you will drive yourself crazy trying to stick to an ever-changing list of do's and dont's, I think the stress of worrying about it too much is worse for you than the foods.

candace3 - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) On Sundays I allow myself 2 cups of coffee. I drink 2-4 bottles of iced tea a week. I eat deli meat...turkey...I don't know if that is what you are referring to. I have heard and read that you can have around 300mg of caffeine a day. A standard bottle of tea has 80 and regular cup of coffee around 100. I don't pay to much attention about the other things...obviously not drinking or smoking, but yes caffeine in moderation.

kbushby - 80 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i eat eggs, lunch meat, cheese all that stuff. i did with my first also. when i was pregnant with my son i would have some caffeine after i was already 4 months to make it through the day at work. and i have had some this pregnancy also. the most crucial months are the first 3. think about it, there are so many women who dont even know they are pregnant until the baby is born and they smoke, drink, and eat things like fish. if i was you i wouldnt stress on the little things like lunch meat etc. otherwise you wont be able to fully enjoy your pregnancy because you will always thinking about what you can and cant eat. definetely stay away from fast food, and junk. i doubt theres very many women who follow the book completely, the cravings are just too hard to ignore sometimes.