Fish and seafood can be an important part of a balanced diet for pregnant women. Nonetheless, some large fish contain high levels of a form of mercury that may potentially harm an unborn baby's developing nervous system. The EPA and FDA advise pregnant women or women who may become pregnant to avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish due to high levels of mercury in these fish. You can still choose from a variety of fish and seafood low in mercury such as canned tuna, salmon, pollock, catfish, tilapia, herring ,crab, shrimp, clams and oysters. Just make sure that these foods are thoroughly cooked. Uncooked seafood may contain Listeria, Vibrio, hepatitis A virus, or Norwalk virus.
 

Holiday Foods

Appetizers

Soft cheeses or ice cream made from unpasteurized milk aren't the only foods that may contain the bacteria Listeria . Do not eat refrigerated pâtés, meat spreads, smoked fish, deli meats, hot dogs, or raw sprouts (especially alfalfa) . Its ability to grow at temperatures as low as 3°C allows Listeria to multiply in these refrigerated foods.

Eggnog

It is best to avoid homemade eggnog which is usually made with unpasteurized eggs that may contain Salmonella. You can make a safe alcohol free version at home with a pasteurized egg product. Pasteurized store-bought eggnog is also available.

Holiday Eggnog   Ingredients: 1 quart of 2% milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 6 eggs 1 cup whipping cream ¼ teaspoon salt whipped ground nutmeg ½ cup sugar   Calories: 135 per ½ cup Cholesterol: 120 mg per ½ cup Yield: 2 quarts Directions: Heat milk in large saucepan until hot (do not boil or scald). While milk is heating, beat together eggs and salt in a large bowl, gradually adding the sugar. Gradually add the hot milk mixture to the egg mixture while continually stirring. Transfer the mixture back to the large saucepan and cook on medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a whisk until the mixture thickens and just coats a spoon. The food thermometer should register 160° F (71° C). Stir in vanilla. Cool quickly by setting pan in a bowl of ice or cold water and stirring for about 10 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled several hours or overnight. Pour into a bowl or pitcher. Fold in whipped cream. Then dust with ground nutmeg.

Turkey and Stuffing

Improperly handled or undercooked poultry is a common cause of Campylobacter and Salmonella food poisoning.

Whole turkey should be cooked in an oven at  325 degrees F until it reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees F deep in the thickest part of the inner thigh (use a meat thermometer to check it ).

The safest way to cook stuffing is in a a separate baking dish in a 325 °F oven. If you choose to stuff your turkey, fill the cavity just before cooking. Fill the cavities loosely. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the stuffing. The center of the stuffing should reach at least 165°F whether it is in a baking dish or in the turkey.

Refrigerate stuffing and turkey separately in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking. Use leftover turkey and stuffing within 3-4 days or freeze these foods. Reheat thoroughly to a temperature of 165 °F or until hot and steaming.

Those Other Holiday Meats

Use a food thermometer to determine that meats reach a safe minimum internal temperature.  Raw or undercooked meat, especially pork, lamb, or venison may contain the parasite Toxoplasma gondii .

Alcoholic Beverages

Tips for Pregnant Women with Diabetes or on Diets

If you have diabetes, or have been instructed by your physician to limit your weight gain during pregnancy you may find it a challenge to remain faithful to your diet during the Holidays. Here are some tips to help keep you on track:

• Prepare foods in ways that reduce fat content such as steaming instead of sautéing in butter.
• Use reduced fat ingredients such as low fat milk, or reduce the amount of sugar or oil in a recipe.
• Eat smaller portions
• Be selective about what you eat. Eat the foods that only come around once a year, and pass on the foods that are available year round.
• If you have diabetes ask your diabetes educator about  increasing your insulin dose or exercise after eating so that you may eat certain Holiday foods.

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