What Not to Eat When You're Pregnant

From your first prenatal appointment, you'll hear all about what you should be eating and drinking during pregnancy, like calcium and folic acid. But what about foods to avoid? Advice seems to flip-flop from year to year, and things that were once considered perfectly safe may now be on the no-no list. Here's a look at what to cut out for the next nine months.

By Denise Schipani

Prev 1 2 3 (of 7) Next

Caffeine

Taking in high doses of caffeine daily during pregnancy -- whether from coffee, tea, cola, cocoa, or energy drinks -- has long been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, and a 2008 study from the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research confirms that link. The study found that women who consumed 200 milligrams or more of caffeine per day (that's two or more cups of regular coffee or five 12-ounce cans of soda containing caffeine) had twice the miscarriage risk as women who consumed no caffeine. "It's a good idea to drink decaffeinated beverages, especially during the first trimester when the risk of miscarriage is highest," says Bridget Swinney, RD, author of Eating Expectantly.

Next: Soft cheeses

What do you think of this story? Tell Us.

Related Videos

Miscarriages

Why and when do miscarriages typically happen? Wha...

Diaper Cake

Parents.tv shows you how to create a unique cake f...

Stretch Mark Help

Stretch marks are a common side effect of pregnanc...

Topics in My Pregnant Body

Pregnancy Health

Comments

Comments (5)

leslipaty911 wrote:

my cousin is pregnant and her obgyn told her to drink one cup of coffee inthe morning for her headaces so i think its ok to have a little plus iam 8 weeks and i drink coffee in the morning but i put a lot of milk so i would just ask your obgyn and c want they say

8/30/2011 01:30:21 PM Report Abuse

cboctober071 wrote:

is kool-aid okay to drink while attempting to concieve and during preg

8/2/2011 07:02:33 PM Report Abuse

carmenponce6191 wrote:

As long you don't see any heavy bleeding I am 6 weeks as wekk and I have been feeling it for about three weeks and my OB/Gyn told me its because your hips are getting wider and making room for the baby I advise you too take luke warm baths and get a back support from motherhood.com and make sure you check with your doctor

3/27/2011 01:20:29 PM Report Abuse

mariahc19911 wrote:

P.S 2ND PREGNANCY

12/26/2010 07:38:05 PM Report Abuse

mariahc19911 wrote:

I AM 6WKS PREG. AND I FEEL A TWINGING SLIGHT PINCHING FEELING IN MY BACK BT IT FEELS LIKE ITS DEEP IN MY SIDE BACK IS THIS OK

12/26/2010 07:37:23 PM Report Abuse

Add your comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Register | Log In