Food for Moms & Expecting Mothers
Nutrition is very important during pregnancy. All moms-to-be should discuss their diet with their doctor or health care provider to ensure they are eating the right kinds of food in the right amounts. Whenever possible, moms-to-be should chose organic food in order to avoid pesticides and preservatives that are often present in non-organic food.
Foods and drinks to avoid during pregnancy:
- Raw or undercooked meats and seafood can cause toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis.
- Deli meats and cold cuts can be contaminated with listeria, which may cause miscarriage.
- Fish containing high levels of mercury can result in developmental delays and brain damage. Fish containing high levels of mercury include king mackerel, shark, swordfish and tilefish. Tuna should be consumed in moderation only.
- Smoked seafood can be contaminated with listeria.
- Raw eggs and foods containing raw eggs as they may cause salmonellosis.
- Soft cheeses (brie, camembert, feta, gorgonzola, roquefort etc.) made with unpasturized milk may be contaminated with listeria.
- Unpasturized milk may be contaminated with listeria.
- Unwashed vegetables may cause toxoplasmosis.
Of course, no alcohol should be consumed during pregnancy. Coffee and other caffeinated drinks should be consumed only in moderation.
See www.americanpregnancy.org for more information.
Foods and drink that are safe during pregnancy:
- Fresh, washed fruits and vegetables (7 or more servings)
- Whole grain breads and cereals (6 to 9 servings)
- Milk, yogurt and cheese (4 to 6 servings)
- Protein (meats, fish, nuts, beans and eggs) 60 grams
Pregnant women need more vitamins and minerals, especially folic acid (at least 400 mg a day), iron (30 mg per day) and calcium (1000 mg per day). DHA, an omega-3 essential fatty acid naturally found in salmon and other fish as well as eggs, is important for brain development.
Pregnant women should also drink approximately 64 ounces of liquids a day, a lot of which should be water.
See www.marchofdimes.com for more information.
A selection of organic food producers is listed below:
Applegate Farms http://www.applegatefarms.com
Applegate Farms produces a wide range of organic and natural foods such as cheeses, cold cuts, hot dogs, bacon, sausages and frozen burgers.
Arrowhead Mills http://www.arrowheadmills.com
ArrowheadMills offers an extensive line of all-natural and organic whole grain foods, including bread mixes, pancake mixes, hot and cold cereals, grains, seeds, dry beans and lentils, a full-line of flours as well as nut butters. Also available at grocery stores nationwide.
Bionaturae http://www.bionaturae.com
Bionaturae is an Italian organic food producer. It produces organic pasta (semolina and whole durum wheat), gluten free pasta, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tomato products, fruit spreads and fruit juices.
Bob's Red Mill http://www.bobsredmill.com
Bob's Red Mill produces natural and organic flours and meals, oats, hot and cold cereals, cake, bread and pancake mixes, grains, beans and seeds as well as baking aids.
Brown Cow http://www.browncowfarm.com
Brown Cow makes different varieties of organic yogurt, including fruit and whole grain yogurt, cream top yogurt, lowfat and nonfat yogurt in a wide range of flavors.
Cascadian Farm http://www.cascadianfarm.com
Cascadian Farm produces a wide selection of organic foods, such as cereals, granola bars, frozen vegetables, frozen fruit, fruit spreads and juice concentrates.
Earthbound Farm http://www.ebfarm.com
Earthbound Farm grows a wide range of organic vegetables and fruit on its farms and also produces organic dried fruits as well as organic cookis and granola. Produce and products are available nationwide.
Eden Foods http://www.edenfoods.com
Eden produces a variety of organic foods, including canned beans, pasta, tomatoes and tomato sauces, whole grains, oils and vinegars and various fruit juices. Canned Eden foods are packaged in Bisphenol-A free cans.
Equal Exchange  http://www.equalexchange.com
Equal Exchange offers organic, sustainably grown, and fairly traded coffee, cocoa, chocolate bars, teas, sugar, and snack foods.
Green & Blacks http://www.greenandblacks.com
Green & Blacks manufactures a variety of organic milk, dark and white chocolate bars in flavors such as toffee, maya gold, and ginger. The company also makes baking chocolate, hot chocolate and ice cream. Chocolate bars are made in Italy.
Health Valley http://www.healthvalley.com
Heath Valley produces a wide selection of organic foods, such as cereals, granola, cereal bars, toaster tarts, cookies, crackers and microwaveable soups and chili, as well as canned soups and chili.
Horizon Organic http://www.horizonorganic.com
Horizon offers organic milk (including whole milk with DHA and reduced fat milk with DHA), yogurt, cheese, cream, eggs, butter, cream cheese and cottage cheese in stores nationwide.
Kashi http://www.kashi.com
Kashi produces a wide range of organic and natural foods, including hot and cold cereals, snacks and grain bars, frozen meals (pizzas, sandwiches and entrees) and waffles.
Organic Valley http://www.organicvalley.com
Organic Valley is a cooperative of over 1200 farmers producing a variety of organic foods, including milk, cream, butter, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, cheese, fruit juice, eggs, meats and produce.
Stonyfield Farm http://www.stonyfield.com
Stonyfield Farm produces a selection of organic dairy products, such as milk, ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothies and a large variety of yogurts, including Oikos greek yogurt. Stonyfield’s Yobaby line of yogurts was specifically developed for babies and toddlers and the Yokids line of yogurts was developed for children.
The Organic Home http://www.achome.co.uk/theorganichome/
The Organic Home, based in the UK, offers a full range of food products, includng grains and cereals (bulgur wheat, cornflakes, bran flakes, millet, oatmeal and more), fruits and nuts (cashews, dried apricots, raisins and more), a wide selection of rice and flour, snacks, sugars and spices (suc a ground ginger, brown and yellow mustard seeds, sea salt, and much more), and a range of organic coffees and fruit juices.
Theo Chocolate http://www.theochocolate.com
Theo Chocolate is an organic, fair trade bean-to-bar chocolate factory that manufactures all its products in Seattle, Washington. The company offers a wide range of milk and dark chocolate bars in interesting favors such as coconut curry and chai tea. It also produces chocolate confections and drinking chocolate.
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