If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant it is important to plan a healthy diet and consider the safety of the food you eat.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website provides valuable information for pregnant women and provides information on what you need to consider during your pregnancy.
Please read the tips below and visit the links for further information.
- Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods
Good nutrition during pregnancy is important for the health of you and your baby. The best way to ensure a healthy diet is to enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods. For further information visit pregnancy and healthy eating (External link).
- Get enough folic acid
Folic acid (folate) is a B group vitamin that is important for your baby’s development during early pregnancy. Folic acid can help reduce the risk of birth abnormalities called neural tube defects such as spina-bifida. For further information visit folic acid/folate.
- Get enough iodine
Iodine is very important during pregnancy for your baby’s development. For further information visit iodine in food.
- Eat fish with lower levels of mercury
Fish is an excellent source of nutrients during pregnancy; however, certain fish are known to be high in mercury and consumption of these types of fish should be limited. For further information visit mercury in fish.
- Avoid listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria sometimes found in food that has not been properly prepared or stored, particularly in certain high risk food types. Listeria can cause a food borne illness called listeriosis. Listeriosis is especially dangerous to pregnant women as it can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or still birth.
For further read the FSANZ listeria webpage or the Department of Health listeria infection fact sheet.
- Caffeine
FSANZ recommends that while having large amounts of caffeine does not appear to cause birth defects, it may make it more difficult to become pregnant and may increase the risk of miscarriage or having a baby with low birth weight. For further information visit caffeine.
For further advice please contact your health advisor, medical practitioner or your midwife.
