Q - I have read that now that I am pregnant things like coffee, sushi, soft cheeses and deli meats are off limits for me. Is that true?
A - All moms want the best for their unborn child. This is why it's so easy to go overboard and worry yourself to death over things that are very unlikely to happen. There are numerous medical professionals and websites that provide a list of "do not eat while pregnant" items. With Funky Monkey I followed the list with diligence that can only be assigned to a first time mom. No soft cheeses, no deli meats, forget even a sniff of coffee, and no matter how big my headache was I refused to take a Tylenol. I was not the only "better safe than sorry" mom. As a matter of fact you are very unlikely to see first time moms in the line-up at Starbucks, or your deli counter. The issue is that there is really very small risk in having any of these things. Coffee is fine in moderation! Women in Japan eat raw fish even during pregnancy, and I highly doubt that French moms-to-be avoid cheeses like Brie during pregnancy. I would be more concerned with pesticide residuals on my conventional veggies than small risk of being sick from deli meats ( then again, why would you want to eat most deli meats? Most of them taste horrible and are cooked in plastic bags). So in my other pregnancies I relaxed a bit and enjoyed the occasional cup of coffee, or a slice of Camembert cheese without feeling guilty. There are risks in everything we do, so just be aware that eating salad can make you sick too.
