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Isabella is expecting her first baby and is very concerned about eating well during her pregnancy. She is eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains than she used to and has started to drink skim milk. She is also eating fish two or three times a week. She still eats some of her favorite foods, especially cheese and chocolate.
What precautions should Isabella take to make sure that the foods she is eating are safe for her and her unborn child?
Why is it especially important to take precautions to avoid infection with Listeria during pregnancy? +300 words
When it comes to making sure that the foods Isabella is eating are safe for her and her unborn child, she will need to be mindful of what she is consuming and take proper precautions. It is important that Isabella only eats food that has been cooked thoroughly and stored safely in a refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. She should also avoid unpasteurized dairy products, as they can carry harmful bacteria like Listeria. Additionally, perishable items such as meats, poultry, seafood, and deli salads should be kept refrigerated until just before use. When preparing these items for consumption, it is essential that she keep all surfaces clean and wash hands with warm water and soap before handling any food items.
It is especially important for Isabella to take extra precautions when it comes to avoiding infection with Listeria during pregnancy because if the bacteria enters the bloodstream it can cause listeriosis—a serious infection which can have severe consequences on both mother and baby including miscarriage or stillbirths. To reduce the risk of contracting listeriosis during pregnancy, Isabella needs to avoid foods like unpasteurized soft cheeses (such as Brie or feta), refrigerated smoked seafood products (like salmon or trout), cold luncheon meats (including hot dogs) unless reheated until steaming hot throughout prior to eating them; unpasteurized milk; raw sprouts; hot dogs made with mechanically separated meat; raw or undercooked fish or shellfish; contaminated grains such as bulgur wheat; pate; refrigerated paté sauces made with cream sauce bases; raw eggs in any form including salad dressings made from scratch containing raw eggs; lunchmeat spreads like bologna spread served at room temperature such as buffets/potlucks/picnics etc.; chilled ready-to-eat shrimp cocktails purchased from grocery store delis etc., pre-made sushi rolls not containing cooked ingredients etc..
In addition to being aware of which foods pose a greater risk of causing Listeria infections during pregnancy, pregnant women should also try their best to limit their contact with soil because this can sometimes contain high levels of the bacteria too. Lastly but certainly not least: Although chocolate and cheese are some of Isabella’s favorite foods – she will most likely have an increased craving for them due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy – these foods may contain higher levels of fat than needed so moderation should definitely be practiced here!