Pregnancy Myths About Your Diet

You Are Eating For Two

The words “you’re eating for two” will probably be the most popular phrase you hear throughout your pregnancy, but it's nothing but a metaphor. Before you shamelessly pile on an extra serving of each dish during your meals, you may want to reconsider. For women who are of average weight when they conceive, only 300 additional calories are required per day to meet the developmental needs of her growing baby.

Doubling what you consume at each meal will far exceed that 300 calorie requirement. Instead of having double helpings at each meal, try eating a few small, healthy snacks throughout the day, such as almonds, cheese, yogurt or fruit. This will help you stay within the recommended pregnancy weight gain of 25-35 pounds. It will also help you fight pregnancy nausea.

You Should Eliminate Caffeine

This is a very popular myth that has made its way into on-line forums and mommy-to-be discussions all over the country. Not only is it difficult for women who enjoy their daily cup of coffee to cut it out, it is also unnecessary. The common misconception is that drinking any caffeine during pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth or low birth weight.

Current research suggests that there is no link between any of these conditions and mild caffeine consumption. So while you don’t want to consume an excessive amount of coffee throughout the day, consuming 200 milligrams or less of caffeine per day, the equivalent of one 12 ounce cup of coffee, is perfectly safe for both mom and baby.

You Should Avoid Sweets

The old saying that “everything is okay in moderation” holds true for eating sweets during pregnancy. While it is important to eat a healthy diet during pregnancy to ensure that you meet your nutritional needs, you don’t have to eliminate sweets altogether. In fact, if your sweet of choice is dark chocolate, you can actually be helping your baby’s future development.

Recent studies suggest that pregnant women who consume a daily dose of dark chocolate give birth to babies who smile more as newborns, laugh more as toddlers and exhibit less fear as babies. Additionally, consuming a minimum of 5 servings of dark chocolate per week during the third trimester can significantly decrease your chances of developing preeclampsia.

You Should Avoid All Fish

While it’s true that pregnant women should steer clear of raw fish and fish that are high in mercury, it is perfectly safe to eat cooked, low-mercury fish such as salmon, shrimp and tuna. Eating fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids can actually boost your developing baby’s brain development. Studies of children whose mothers ate these fish regularly during pregnancy suggest they may have higher verbal IQ levels, and better social, communication and motor skills.

You Will Crave Unhealthy Foods

Although it’s possible that you will experience unhealthy food cravings, it certainly is not a guarantee. Some women who didn’t make the healthiest food choices prior to pregnancy find that they have a yearning for fresh, wholesome foods once they conceive. And cravings can vary from pregnancy to pregnancy. Women can crave lots of carbs and sweets during a first pregnancy and go on to crave fruits and vegetables during a subsequent pregnancy. Regardless of what you crave, it is okay to indulge as long as you do so in moderation.