9 Pregnancy Food Myths (Slideshow)
When it comes to enjoying sweets, it is all about moderation, whether you are pregnant or not. "The only problem with sweets is if you eat too much," confirms Dr. Weiss. In fact, dark chocolate specifically may even be good for mom and baby, according to research. "Excess sugars can lead to insulin resistance," Dr. Weiss still warns. "Which can lead to excessive weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Also if you are replacing protein and fats with only sugars...then that's bad, too!"
2. All Seafood Is Bad
Not everything in the sea is bad for the baby. "Actually, seafood is good for you," clarifies Dr. Weiss. "Omega fatty acids found in high quantities in a lot of fish are good for your immune system and in developing babies." The problem lies in fish that are loaded with high mercury content, as he mentioned earlier. Make sure you limit your fish intake to twice weekly and you and baby will be fine!
3. Big Appetite Means a Boy
In this case, a craving is just a craving. "Big appetites have to do with the mom," assures Dr. Weiss. "Can't blame the son on this one!"
4. Soft Cheese Is Bad
Moms-to-be, you only have to avoid the wine at a wine and cheese party! Just make sure the cheese is pasteurized. "Unpasteurized soft cheeses are a risk," says Dr. Weiss. "Listeriosis can live in unpasteurized cheeses, milk, and cold cuts... as well as E. coli, salmonella, etc." Which can mean bad news for you and for baby
5. If You Eat Peanuts, Your Baby Will Be Allergic to Them
Don't worry — if you get a hankering for some peanuts, munch away! Dr. Weiss assures that this is an old wives' tale and eating them while pregnant will not directly be the cause of depriving your kid from a lifetime of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
6. Diet Soda Is Just Fine
It isn't the caffeine that raises a red flag in diet soda. "It has to do more with the substitutes [artificial sweeteners] in diet sodas... it is also bad for reflux, teeth, and heartburn in mom," says Dr. Weiss.
7. Eat Less and the Baby Will Take the Fat
While this isn't completely untrue, it is not an effective way to approach pregnancy. "It is dangerous to look at it that way," warns Dr. Weiss. "Yes, baby will steal from mom, but if baby is stealing that means mom is not nourishing herself enough and puts the baby at risk."
8. Eat a Lot Because You’re Eating for Two
While you should expect to gain weight for pregnancy, it isn't good to overeat. "There is another human being who relies on you to eat well and stay healthy," says Dr. Weiss. So be sure that when you are eating for two, you are loading up on things that boost your immune system and help you maintain a healthy weight.
9. Dark Beer Helps the Milk Come In
We aren't sure where this one came from, but it definitely isn't a fact. "Probably as true as saying 'the larger the diamond she gets, the better the milk comes in' ...so, no, not really," confirms Dr. Weiss.