Could choosing your baby's gender be as simple as changing the way you eat and diet? According to new research, it just may be- though not every dieter will find it. When I tell people that my diet runs between 55% and 65% of my total calories from fat, they look at me like I. Making your own baby food doesn't have to be hard, and it's the best way to make sure your little one enjoys all the health benefits of fresh fruits and veggies. JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images Red-Light Foods. During your pregnancy there are a few things that might stress you out, but eating shouldn't be one of them. We tell you how you'll be feeling when you are 3 months pregnant,from the nineth week to the thirteenth weeks of your pregnancy, along with how your baby is. What to Eat and What Not to Eat. JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images. Red- Light Foods. During your pregnancy there are a few things that might stress you out, but eating shouldn't be one of them. Unfortunately, all of the advice you hear - - from friends, family, and yes, even total strangers - - about what is and isn't safe during pregnancy is enough to confuse anyone. So if you're wondering what's okay to eat (and whether you have to give your favorite foods the boot for nine months), check out our guide. Foods to Avoid. Why are some foods off- limits when you're pregnant - - but fine if you're not? First, changes to your immune system now make you more vulnerable to food- borne illnesses. What would've meant stomach upset before could mean serious complications now - - from dehydration to miscarriage. So to be safe, avoid the common culprits of food- borne illness: Eggs: Because raw eggs may be tainted with salmonella, a bacterium that can cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, watch out for restaurant- made Caesar salad dressing, homemade eggnog, raw cookie dough, and soft scrambled or sunny- side up eggs - - any dish in which the eggs (both yolk and white) are not cooked completely. Though the majority of milk and juices sold in stores today are pasteurized, there are still some brands on shelves that aren't, so read labels. Other foods are unsafe due to possible contaminants that can harm the fetus: Some Varieties of Fish: Fish, which boasts omega- 3 fatty acids that help baby's brain development, is a great meal choice right now. But some varieties should be shunned due to high levels of methyl- mercury, a pollutant that can affect baby's nervous system. These include swordfish, shark, and tilefish - - all big species that live longer, accumulating more mercury in their flesh. Eating well during pregnancy will not only help you manage the changes and pregnancy symptoms heading your way, it will also help you grow a healthy baby. According to the newest guidelines from the FDA, you can enjoy up to 1. Of those 1. 2 ounces, only 6 should come from canned . If you're eating fish caught in local waters, check online with your state's department of health for advisories (if you can't find any information, limit yourself to 6 ounces). What seafood is safe when pregnant? Yellow- Light Foods. Some foods are fine in small amounts, but don't go overboard. High Levels of Caffeine: When it comes to caffeine, . While one small study did link caffeine to increased health risks in the fetus, stronger studies have shown that caffeine is not harmful in moderate amounts. So currently the guidelines suggest no more than 3. And that comes as a relief to many moms- to- be. Stephanie Mc. Clure, a mother of two, in Westerville, Ohio, had a terrible time going cold turkey. These contain nitrates, additives that have been called into question for possible links to brain tumors and diabetes. Although studies aren't conclusive, it makes sense to limit your consumption - - these foods aren't great nutritional choices anyway. What about your beloved diet sodas? They're considered safe during pregnancy and, beyond not being a stellar nutritional choice, there's no scientific evidence that they cause harm. But on the downside, at least one artificial sweetener (saccharin) that's often found in diet sodas does cross the placenta, and artificially sweetened drinks are usually low in nutritional value. So again, we recommend moderation. Green- Light Foods. Good news! A few foods you may have thought were forbidden actually aren't. Soft Cheeses: Soft cheeses such as Brie, feta, and Gorgonzola were once considered potentially harmful because they can harbor listeria. Listeriosis, an illness caused by the bacteria listeria, can be passed to the fetus, leading to miscarriage, premature delivery, or stillbirth. However, the FDA now allows soft cheese during pregnancy, as long as it's made with pasteurized milk. Most cheese sold in the United States is, but . It's still important to check labels, especially with imported brands. If you live in a border state, steer clear of soft Mexican cheeses like queso blanco in markets (they aren't typically pasteurized). Cheese During Pregnancy: Safe or Not? Cooked Deli Meats: When Jennifer Vito, a mom in San Antonio, heard that deli meat was also off- limits because of listeriosis concerns, she found it difficult to eliminate it when she was expecting. If you would prefer to pass on deli meat, try other high- protein lunches like a veggie burger, a bean burrito, or chicken salad made with some leftover grilled chicken breast and low- fat mayo. Fresh Produce: Finally, fruits and veggies should be a staple in your diet, especially during pregnancy, because they're high in vitamins and fiber. But take a few commonsense precautions: Rewash bagged lettuce (even if the label says it's triple- washed) to wash away any possible traces of salmonella or E. In fact, you should wash the outside of all fruits and vegetables - - even if you're not going to eat the skin. But many doctors still advise their patients that an occasional drink is okay. So have the rules on drinking changed? Absolutely not, warn many experts. Heavy drinking can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which causes mental retardation and a host of abnormalities. But according to the March of Dimes, even moderate drinking may lead to more subtle physical and mental damage. And because no one knows exactly what amount of alcohol causes FAS, it's smart to steer clear. Sally Kuzemchak is a registered dietitian and writer in Columbus, Ohio. The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition. Months Pregnant. Month One of Pregnancy. The amniotic sac is a water- tight sac that forms around the fertilized egg. It helps cushion the growing embryo throughout pregnancy. The placenta also develops at this point in the first trimester. The placenta is a round, flat organ that transfers nutrients from the mother to the baby, and transfers waste from the baby. A primitive face takes form with large dark circles for eyes. The mouth, lower jaw, and throat are developing. Blood cells are taking shape, and circulation will begin. By the end of the first month of pregnancy, your baby is around 6- 7mm (1/4 inch) long - about the size of a grain of rice! Month Two of Pregnancy. Your baby's facial features continue to develop. Each ear begins as a little fold of skin at the side of the head. Tiny buds that eventually grow into arms and legs are forming. Fingers, toes, and eyes are also forming in the second month of pregnancy. The neural tube (brain, spinal cord, and other neural tissue of the central nervous system) is well formed. The digestive tract and sensory organs begin to develop. Bone starts to replace cartilage. The embryo begins to move, although the mother cannot yet feel it. By the end of the second month, your baby, now a fetus, is about 2. Month Three of Pregnancy. By the end of the third month of pregnancy, your baby is fully formed. Your baby has arms, hands, fingers, feet, and toes and can open and close its fists and mouth. Fingernails and toenails are beginning to develop and the external ears are formed. The beginnings of teeth are forming. Your baby's reproductive organs also develop, but the baby's gender is difficult to distinguish on ultrasound. The circulatory and urinary systems are working and the liver produces bile. At the end of the third month, your baby is about 7. Since your baby's most critical development has taken place, your chance of miscarriage drops considerably after three months into the pregnancy. Sources. SOURCE: Mayo Clinic: . First Trimester of Pregnancy: What to Expect. SOURCES: Bayley, T. M. Appetite, February 2. Ratcliffe S. D., Baxley, E. G., Cline, M. K., Sakornbut, E. L., eds., Family Medicine Obstetrics, third edition, Philadelphia, Mosby Elsevier, 2. Townsend Jr., C. M., Beauchamp, R. D., Evers, B. M., Mattox, K. L., Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 1. Philadelphia, Saunders Elsevier; 2. Gabbe, S. G., Niebyl, J. R., Simpson, J. L., eds., Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies, 5th ed. Philadelphia, Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2. American Pregnancy Association: . Nutrition Research, July 2. Deutchman, M. American Family Physician, June 1, 2.
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