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Eating Out When Pregnant: Dos & Don'ts

Once you are pregnant, you will have a strong tendency to doubt all and everything that you were doing continuously for years. This will reflect on your food choice as well. You will be surrounded by myths and science about what to eat and what not to eat. And, to add spice to it, you will be having strong pregnancy cravings as well. Unfortunately, most women crave for foods like canned foods, non-veg and other processed food. This makes them forced to opt for eating out when pregnant.

It is natural that no pregnant women want to prefer self-cooked food, especially if they have morning sickness. This makes eating out in pregnancy a part of the lifestyle, at least for pregnant women who are living in the cities. This makes things a bit more difficult to choose foods while eating out when pregnant. What you eat has a direct impact on the growth and health of your unborn baby.

WAYS TO TRAVEL DURING PREGNANCY

Your baby needs all the necessary nutrients to stay healthy, which you have to provide through your diet. At the same time, harmful chemicals that you ingest while eating out when pregnant can affect the foetus adversely. Here are some important dos and don’ts that you should consider while eating out when pregnant.

Healthy options

Healthy options

A well-balanced diet is important for a healthy pregnancy. So, always go for healthy choice of foods while you opt to have your food outside. Steamed foods and vegetarian foods are the preferred ones. Remember that an unhealthy delicious dinner may be good for your taste buds, but not for your baby's health.

Go veggie

Go veggie

Prefer vegetables when you are eating outside. This will help to keep your baby safe with healthy nutrients. There are many options to make your vegetarian dish delicious since you are in a place where professionals cook for you. But, remember not to make your vegetarian dish too complicated as it may then contain additives and added flavours.

Beware of food poisoning

Beware of food poisoning

Eating out in pregnancy leaves you at a greater risk of food poisoning. It is very important to choose restaurants that are highly hygienic and clean. Apart from the health problems that you get from the poisoning, this will make it unavoidable to take medicines that are again not good for the baby.

No junk foods

No junk foods

While eating out in pregnancy, it is always recommended to avoid junk foods, processed foods or canned foods. The additives, preservatives used to enhance the taste and flavour of the product don't have anything good to do for your health. Also, this is harmful to the foetus as it may result even in mutations.

No empty calories

No empty calories

Go for something healthier while ordering for food from outside. Avoid eating foods like ice creams, candies and cakes since they will simply give you calorie and not any nutrients. No wonder, if you end up with increased weight gain and pregnancy complications.

Not too often

Not too often

Eating out when pregnant occasionally is not bad. Most restaurants provide home delivery as well, which may make you more attracted towards the service. So, if you have a habit of preferring food from outside, it's time for you to have a second thought.


Story first published: Thursday, May 22, 2014, 17:57 [IST]
Read more about: prenatal pregnancy care