That’s Disgusting! How to Avoid Food Poisoning When You’re Pregnant

As I danced around Whole Foods Friday with JR trying to decide what to have for dinner, I decided not to go with the sizzling delicious steaks my hubby was going to be grilling up, but opted instead for the healthier option of chicken over salad.

Huge mistake!

After tossing the prepared pieces of chicken onto a plate (acquired from the prepared food, refrigerated section of the store) I ate it all, feeling pleased by my decision. A few wee hours later and I was hovered over the bathroom toilet with nightmares of the chicken screaming through my brain. A few wee hours after that, I was in the Labor and Delivery Ward of the hospital being treated for dehydration, food poisoning while the doctors monitored my baby to check all was still okay.

Thank goodness, my baby is fine.  And once they found a sufficient vein to administer fluids as well as anti-nausea medication (dehydration had made most of veins hard to find), I was on the path to recovery as well. Considering I’m not trying to squeeze into a too-small figure hugging cocktail dress, this bout with food poisoning did me absolutely no favors. I am just thanking my lucky stars it didn’t last too long and of course that my baby is healthy.

So why am I telling you this? Not to scare you off Whole Foods forever, I promise! I am still in love with the place, if you can believe it! Instead, to remind you just how careful we need to be while pregnant about the foods we choose to consume so we can avoid food poisoning. And if you do experience it be sure to stay as hydrated as possible and get in touch with your doctor as the uterus is a muscle and dehydration can cause it to contract just like any other, possibly causing premature labor.

Here are some simple tips to lessen your chances of food related illness during pregnancy.

*Avoid unpasturized foods and drinks. This means green juice too and scrumptious Fall Apple Cider fresh from the farm! If you really want fresh juices then clean them and juice them yourself and consume right away.

*Make sure your food is cooked thoroughly, especially meats, avoiding hot dogs and deli meats. When it comes to meats it is simply best to make sure we are cooking ourselves.

*Do not eat anything that seems to have a funny odor to you. This may seem obvious but it’s surprising how many of us don’t trust our instincts, especially when we’re at a reputable restaurant or store.  Remember, you can get food poisoning from Le Bernandin as well as the hot dog vendor down the street.

*Avoid all buffets and prepared food that has been sitting out for long periods of time. You know, the ones with heat lamps and limp pieces of lettuce. Even if it looks snazzier just stay away!  That’s right, say au revoir to the buffet, even the one at Whole Foods!

* When it comes to prepared foods in general, you just don’t know what you’re really getting, who made it or if it was cooked properly. When eating out, stick to simple, fresh ingredients that have not been cooked, cooled and then left to sit for long periods of time.

*Check the CDC’s outbreak website regularly for reports of salmonella and other food that has caused sickness of late.