Nutrition and Food For Fertility and During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, changes in hormones can cause a woman's immune system to become suppressed, so that it is harder to fight off infections.
Some food-borne illnesses can cause a woman to have a miscarriage, stillbirth or serious health problems for the baby after birth.
Pathogens are organisms (bacteria, virus, parasite) that can cause illness in humans.
Because a mother's health behaviors have direct effects on the health of her baby, expectant mothers receive a lot of health information. Along with nutrition concerns, a growing topic of importance is food safety during pregnancy.
Examples of pathogens of special concern to pregnant women are Listeria monocytogenes, Toxoplasma gondii, Brucella species, Salmonella species and Campylobacter jejuni, and some can cross the placenta and increase the fetus's risk of becoming infected. Certain organisms, including Listeria monocytogenes, Toxoplasma gondii, Salmonella typhi and Campylobacter jejuni, can have adverse consequences for the fetus if they cross the placenta.
Avoid Foods from Unsafe Sources
Because pregnant women are at high risk for infection from the pathogens discussed above, they are advised to avoid foods that may be contaminated with these harmful pathogens.  

• Artificial Sweeteners: Are they safe?
• Artificial Sweeteners in Pregnancy: Some artificial sweeteners are safe in pregnancy , others are not
• Berries: OK to eat?
• Canned Food During Pregnancy - Eat It Safely: Cans or metal lids on glass jars can rust. When rust is deep enough, tiny holes open in the can or lid that may let spoilage agents in. Shipping accidents that dent or crush cans cause problems
• Carrots and Pregnancy: Carrots do not harm the fetus and eating a lot cannot lead to too much Vitamin A
• Cheese: Can I eat soft cheese when TTC and during pregnancy?
• Chicken During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?: Take care during pregnancy to ensure that the chicken is fresh and cooked well before eating to avoid diseases caused by the listeria bacteria. Heating it above 160 degress Fahrenheit usually ensures that bacteria have been killed.
• Ciguatera Fish Poisoning and Pregnancy: Ciguatera fish poisoning is among the most common reasons for fish poisoning around the world
• Cold cuts during pregnancy - safe to eat?: To be on the safe site it is recommended that you avoid lunch meats during pregnancy for your baby's sake.
• Creatine and TTC: Is it OK
• Diet Pills: OK when you TTC?
• Eating for two: Do I really have to eat so much?
• Eating for two: Do I really have to eat for 2 in pregnancy?
• Eating for two in pregnancy: Should I really eat for 2 because I am pregnant?
• Eggs:
• Fast foods to avoid in pregnancy: There are several fast foods that you should not have in pregnancy
• Fennel : Is it safe in pregnancy?
• Fish and Pregnancy: Is it OK to eat fish while TTC and in pregnancy?
• Fish and Pregnancy : FAQs about fish and pregnancy
• Food and Eating Myths in Pregnancy:
• Food Myths: Fact or Fiction?
• Food Recommendations and Pregnancy: Recommendations what to eat and which food not to eat during pregnancy apply as well to the time trying to conceive. Eat the same before pregnancy as if you were already pregnant.
• Food To avoid: What should you not eat in pregnancy?
• Fruit juice during pregnancy safe to eat?: If fruit juice is not pasteurized during pregnancy, eg if you buy it freshly pressed, that means it has not been heated enough to kill the bacteria in the juice. This could lead to a food bourne illness that may be harmful to baby or mom.
• Fruits & Vegetables: Fruits and vegetable should be part of your daily diet
• Ground Meat During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?: Ground beef or ground meat is not recommended for pregnant women, especially if it's undercooked. This is because ground meat can be contaminated.
• Herbs : What and How
• Hot Dogs and Frankfurters During Pregnancy - Are They Safe?: Hot dogs are best avoided during pregnancy when your immune system is weak and you and your baby become vulnerable to food borne illnesses.
• Infections carried through food: Certain infections which you can get by eating contaminated food during pregnancy can harm the pregnancy and the fetus
• Is It Safe To Eat Canned Food During Pregnancy?: Pregnant women are more susceptible to food poisoning. Canned foods if not closed or jarred properly can become accessible for bacteria, and lead to botulism and other bacterial diseases.
• Is Smoked Seafood Safe During Pregnancy?: Pregnant women should not eat refrigerated smoked seafood like salmon, trout, whitefish, tuna, cod and mackerel unless it is served in a casserole or cooked dish. Such seafood carries the Listeria bacteria which causes Listeriosis.
• Juices:
• Liver: The safest approach is to minimize the consumption of liver in pregnancy.
• Meat: Can I eat it in pregnancy?
• Meat, raw: Can I eat it during pregnancy?
• MSG : Is MSG a problem in pregnancy?
• MSG in pregnancy: Is it a problem
• Myth: Eat 3 healthy meals a day: You should eat 6-7 small meals and not 3 big meals in pregnancy
• Nutritious fast foods in pregnancy: There are several nutritious and healthy fast foods in pregnancy
• Pork During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?: If you eat pork during pregnancy you will have to ensure that the meat is thoroughly cooked right up to the core so that all parasites are killed. But since the risks associated with pork are high expectant mothers had better give up pork for those 9 months for the sake of their baby's good health.
• Pumpkin During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?: Pumpkins are good for pregnant women. They can be served boiled, baked, steamed or roasted or used in soups and purees. You can roast the seeds and eat them as a snack. Small and green pumpkins may be relished in the same way as zucchini. You can also mash them and consume them.
• Raw Sprouts During Pregnancy - Are They Safe?: Raw sprouts should not be consumed by pregnant women because of the potential health hazards they pose
• Salami During Pregnancy - Safe To eat?: Pregnant women are advised not to eat salamis during pregnancy though they may have a craving for this delectable delicacy/ Salamai often contain preservatives called nitrates that could be harmful to the fetus.
• Seafood: A new study shows that it's OK to eat more than 12 oz of seafood a week
• Spicy Food During Pregnancy To Induce Labor: It is a myth that eating spicy food during pregnancy to induce labor actually brings on labor. There is no known food that brings on labor.
• Sushi: OK in pregnancy?
• Sushi: Is it safe?
• Take-out and Fast Food During Pregnancy: Take-out and fast food should be avoided during pregnancy if at all possible. These food choices contain loads of salt, sugar and sometimes even chemicals that can harm both the mother and the unborn child.
• The 10 best foods that don't make it into your shopping cart: Eating the right food during pregnancy is not as difficult as you may think but sometimes you need to know what to eat and what not
• Unpasteurized milk products:
• Vegetarian Diet: Does it lead to infertility