Preparing food safely
Wash fruit, vegetables and salads to remove all traces of soil, which may contain toxoplasma (a parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis) which can harm your unborn baby.
In particular, products of a home vegetable garden could be vehicles of Toxoplasma. For this reason, especially during pregnancy, it is necessary to wash fruits and vegetables carefully by brushing the skin under running water if the product allows for it.
Strawberries are a delicious and healthy way for pregnant women to consume more fruit. But how about the sugar content, and how do you prep them safely when pregnant? Strawberries are generally safe to eat when you're pregnant, as long as they're thoroughly washed.
According to the Agriculture Department, “Consumers should not wash fruits and vegetables with detergent, soap or commercial produce washes. These products are not approved or labeled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use on foods.
Mix up a solution of three teaspoons of salt and three cups of warm water (or use one teaspoon to one cup of water ratio for as much as you need). Let the water cool completely. Then, soak the berries in the cooled water for five minutes. After that time has elapsed, move the strawberries to a colander.
Here's how to do it: put the amount of strawberries you want to wash in a colander (try to keep them in a single layer, wash in batches if you need to) and run them under cold water for about 20 seconds, moving them around to make sure you get all sides rinsed off. Then, they're ready to eat!
Strawberries contain so many nutrients such as vitamin C, fibre, potassium, iron, antioxidants, folic acid, that essential for a pregnant woman. Benefits of eating strawberries during pregnancy: According to a report published in Eatritemama, strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system.
Strawberries are safe and healthy for you and baby while pregnant. The benefits of strawberries include fiber, folate, vitamin C, and they even contribute to your fluid needs for the day. Strawberries are acidic but they aren't generally high on the list of “heartburn causing foods.”
During Pregnancy: Blueberries (as well as strawberries, blackberries and raspberries) are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, potassium and folate. Grab a handful for a snack, top off your oatmeal or granola, add to a salad or blend into a smoothie. If berries are out of season, try frozen blueberries.
A Toxoplasma infection occurs by one of the following: Eating undercooked, contaminated meat (especially pork, lamb, and venison) or shellfish (for example, oysters, clams or mussels).
No. Women all over the world wash their hair regularly throughout pregnancy, with no ill-effects on their babies. Some communities believe that an unborn baby's good fortune may be washed away if the mother washes her hair before the seventh month of pregnancy.
Avoid spray and aerosol cleaners when possible.
Ingredients that were found to be especially problematic included alcohol, ammonia, chlorine, glycol and glycol-ethylene, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), acrylic polymers, and terpenes. The increased risk of asthma was not found when cleaners weren't sprayed.
But heavy-duty cleaners like undiluted bleach, tile cleaner, and oven cleaner, as well as air fresheners, can release toxic substances into the air. Inhaling such cleaning products while pregnant could allow these chemicals to cross the placenta and reach your growing baby.
Avocado is a fruit that is known to be rich in vitamin C and vitamin E. Both these vitamins are known for their antioxidant properties. Vitamin C also helps in reducing inflammation and is essential for collagen production in the body. The production of collagen in turn improves your baby's skin tone.
Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges are chock full of vitamin C. Vitamin C is responsible for helping your baby's bones grow properly. Citrus can also help with a woman's digestion and deter morning sickness during pregnancy.
Bananas are a good source of potassium which is recognized as a valuable remedy to pregnancy swelling and morning sickness symptoms. Iron content in bananas can stimulate hemoglobin production, much needed to prevent anemia and associated complications on pregnancy and delivery.
Craving fruit may indicate body levels low in vitamin C, or craving dairy may mean a deficiency in calcium. Craving more high-calorie sweets like ice cream can be related to increasing caloric needs to support your pregnancy.
In fact, resveratrol has many benefits for your baby when you consume it by eating grapes. "If eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet, grapes are generally tolerated well during pregnancy," notes Len Kliman, MD, an OB/GYN with over 35 years experience.
Not only are mangos safe to eat while you're pregnant, but they contain a host of nutrients that are beneficial to you. One ¾ cup serving of mango is a good source of folate, which is a key pre-natal vitamin. Women who don't get enough folate are at risk of having babies with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
Soak for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the berries with thoroughly cold tap water (this removes the vinegar flavor). Pat the berries dry with a clean towel, then place them in a sealed container and store in the refrigerator. Berries can last up to 2 weeks.
Heat water to about 125°F, and soak your berries in the water for just about 30 seconds. This will kill any bacteria without damaging or cooking the berries. Then allow them to dry thoroughly on a towel, and store as directed above. They should keep for up to two weeks.
Why You Should Clean Strawberries. Unwashed berries, like many kinds of fresh produce, can have dirt, bacteria, and pesticides living on the surface. So, in order to not ingest said dirt, bacteria, and pesticides, it's super important to wash them thoroughly before you eat them!