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Hey! Yes, I would consider these generally safe as long as general food safety practices have been implemented (i.e. stored in the fridge, eaten before best buy date, not left sitting out, etc.). Federal regulations do require milk and milk products sold through interstate commerce to be pasteruized or made with pasteruized dairy ingredients. There are only a few limited exceptions for certain aged cheeses.
Hey! There is some evidence supporting every other day iron dosing, but it is not necessarily more effective for everyone.
The reasoning involves a hormone called hepcidin, which helps regulate iron absorption. After taking an iron supplement, hepcidin temporarily increases and can make it harder to absorb another dose for approximately the next day. Allowing more time between doses may therefore increase the percentage of iron absorbed from each individual dose.In a study of nonpregnant women with low iron stores, about 21.8% of iron was absorbed with alternate-day dosing compared with 16.3% with daily dosing. However, the participants taking iron every other day also took twice as long to receive the same number of doses (28 days rather than 14 days).
Also, absorbing a higher percentage from each dose does not automatically mean that hemoglobin or ferritin will increase more or increase faster. The overall response also depends on:
– The amount of elemental iron in each dose
– How frequently it is taken
– How long supplementation continues
– How consistently it is taken
– Starting hemoglobin and ferritin levels
– Ongoing iron needs or losses
– How well the supplement is toleratedBasically, trying to say someone may absorb a higher percentage from an every-other-day dose, but a person taking iron daily receives more total doses during the same period. When researchers compare regimens that provide a similar total amount of iron over time, daily and alternate-day dosing have generally produced similar improvements in hemoglobin and ferritin in nonpregnant adults.
Pregnancy-specific research is more limited. In one randomized study of 88 pregnant participants with iron-deficiency anemia, researchers compared approximately 65 mg of elemental iron daily with 130 mg every other day. After six weeks, hemoglobin increased by 0.8 g/dL in the daily group and 0.5 g/dL in the alternate-day group. The difference was not statistically significant, meaning the study did not establish that either schedule was clearly more effective.
I think to sum it up, alternate-day dosing may improve absorption from each dose and may be easier to tolerate for some people, especially if daily iron causes nausea, constipation, or other digestive symptoms. However, current evidence does not show that it consistently raises hemoglobin or ferritin more than daily iron. So there’s not a perfect method, and it can certainly be what works best for you!
I think most importantly, follow-up labs are key to make sure whichever schedule you use is actually improving your levels.
Hey! I cannot provide individualized guidance through the forums, but I can speak generally on the topics! There isn’t one set of pregnancy calorie or macronutrient targets that will be appropriate for everyone. Needs are very individualized and depend on factors such as pre-pregnancy intake and weight, trimester, activity level and type of activity, appetite, and even how you feel/energy levels!
There is also likely a wide range of macronutrient distributions that can support a healthy pregnancy. I know that’s not the favorite answer, but also hopefully reassuring because it means there is not one exact carbohydrate, protein, or fat target that you have to hit perfectly each day.
As a general starting point, research supports a lower-to-moderate carbohydrate intake of approximately 30–45% of total calories during pregnancy. However, everyone tolerates carbohydrates differently. One person may experience significant blood sugar fluctuations at a certain intake, while another person may do very well with the same amount.
The types of foods included within those percentages are also important. It is possible to follow a lower-carbohydrate or higher-protein diet while still falling short on fiber, vitamins, minerals, or overall calories depending on the foods being selected. For reference, most days in the TPNL meal plans provide approximately 75–130 grams of carbohydrate.
Protein needs can be estimated using the following calculations:
-Early pregnancy: approximately 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day
– Later pregnancy: approximately 1.5 grams per kilogram per day of body weight per dayFor example:
140 pounds ÷ 2.2 = approximately 64 kilograms
64 kilograms × 1.2 = approximately 76 grams of protein per day during early pregnancyAfter estimating protein and carbohydrate needs, fat can provide the remaining calories. Around 30–35% of total calories from fat can be a reasonable general starting point, with an emphasis on including omega-3 fats.
General pregnancy guidance often suggests no additional calories are needed during the first trimester, followed by additional calories during the second and third trimesters. However, these are added to the individual’s pre-pregnancy calorie needs rather than used as stand-alone calorie targets. We do have a guide on calorie needs in the library that I’d recommend taking a look at, too! I don’t know what stage you’re at (TTC, week of pregnancy, etc.), but it’s possible your calories are on the low side, especially if you’re into the second or third trimester. I’d definitely take into account how you feel, including energy levels and hunger!
Or even coconut water with a splash of orange juice can be a good combo of potassium + vitamin C!
Hey! Yes, these look okay during pregnancy. Ginger is commonly used to help with pregnancy-related nausea, and the remaining ingredients are sweeteners, citric acid, and lemon flavoring. Traditional Medicinals actually uses this same ingredient list in its Morning Ease pregnancy lozenges. There’s a more detailed guide on ginger in the library, if interested!
I’d just follow the serving recommendation on the specific package. The Belly Comfort label recommends 1–2 lozenges per day. They do contain some added sugar, but that amount is minimized when having only a couple of lozenges.
Hey! We have a mineral mocktail guide in the library with several recipes, and our electrolyte guide includes reviews of premade options. You might also try mixing the Jigsaw powder into one of the mocktail recipes rather than drinking it on its own. You may find it to taste much better that way!
Rayvi is another option that contains higher amounts of both potassium and vitamin C.
Hey! These look okay to me overall. The canned version has a fairly straightforward electrolyte profile, and nothing on the ingredient list stands out as concerning during pregnancy. I think up to one can per day would be reasonable!
Hey! For herbal teas, the guide on herbal tea in the library applies to both pregnancy and breastfeeding!
Black, green, white, and oolong are all generally fine. It’s just still recommended to consume caffeine in moderation so it’s something to be mindful of.
I’d also add that peppermint tea has not been proven to lower milk production, but peppermint and sage have traditionally been used in larger amounts to reduce supply. An occasional cup is unlikely to be an issue, but I wouldn’t drink large amounts if you’re already concerned about supply.
Hey! With the guidance we are given at this point, it is very likely to be related to lettuce products, and no indication that this would be a part of a recall or advisory. I’d consider it a generally safe option. Additionally, though I can’t say for sure, since they are commercially packaged, freeze-dried strawberries rather than fresh or frozen berries, they were probably processed before the outbreak. They are more of a dessert or treat than a substitute for a serving of fresh fruit, so I’d just enjoy them in moderation!
For the frozen option, I’d say a similar thing where if they feel comfortable to you I’d consider them to be generally safe since the current guidance tells us the source appears to be lettuce. However, if you’re concerned, unfortauntely freezing isn’t a way to kill Cyclospora.
Hi! There is very limited research on lavender use during pregnancy, so there isn’t enough evidence to confidently determine its safety in larger or supplemental amounts. For that reason, it’s generally recommended to avoid lavender in a supplement amount/form.
However, when lavender is used simply as a flavoring in foods, such as lavender chocolate, honey, cookies, etc. I don’t see a concern. Lavender is generally recognized as safe when consumed in the amounts typically found in foods. So, based on the ingredients here, I wouldn’t be concerned about eating this cookie.
Hey! I’m sorry you’re dealing with these symptoms! Constipation, bloating, and indigestion are unfortunately all very common during pregnancy.
I’d first encourage checking in on the foundations: are you staying well hydrated? Meeting fiber goals? Getting in movement?– Aim for plenty of fluids throughout the day (~100 oz of fluids)
– Gradually increase fiber from foods like kiwi, pears, prunes, berries, vegetables, oats, and whole grains. Two kiwis per day have been shown to improve constipation!
– Daily movement, even a 10-20 minute walk after meals
– Some people find that warm fluids in the morning can helpI’d also take a look at any supplements you’re taking, particularly iron. Some forms of iron are much more constipating than others, so it may be worth investigating if you’re supplementing.
For some people, magnesium can also help support regular bowel movements.
We also have some great resources in the library that may be helpful, including our notes on constipation, bloating, and heartburn/reflux. There are other strategies and supplement suggestions in these!
If your symptoms are severe, you’re unable to pass gas or have a bowel movement for several days, or you develop severe abdominal pain, I’d recommend reaching out to your healthcare provider promptly.
Hi! This is actually really common, especially during the first trimester. Hormonal changes can affect taste, smell, appetite, and nausea, and many people find that foods they normally love suddenly sound unappealing. Bland, salty, carbohydrate-rich foods like noodles, pasta, crackers, and other familiar convenience foods may simply be easier to tolerate right now.
Sometimes cravings for foods like ramen or Pasta Roni may be related to characteristics of the foods themselves, such as being salty, bland, or carbohydrate-rich. Your fluid and sodium needs also change during pregnancy, so it’s possible the salty aspect is especially appealing. That being said, not every pregnancy craving has a clear nutritional reason or meaning behind it.
I wouldn’t force your typical foods if they’re making you feel sick. Instead, you could try building on the foods that do sound good. For example, add an egg or edamame if tolerated to ramen; toss frozen vegetables into pasta; pair crackers or toast with cheese, Greek yogurt, or nut butter; or try cold foods and smoothies if the smell of cooked foods is a turnoff. Even small additions can help add protein, fat, fiber, or micronutrients without completely changing the food you’re craving.
For many people, this improves as they move out of the first trimester, and their usual food preferences gradually return. For now, finding foods you can comfortably eat and staying hydrated is important, and it’s okay if every meal isn’t perfectly balanced.
Hi! Rosemary used in ‘typical’ amounts, such as a seasoning or flavoring in food, is generally considered safe during pregnancy. In a product like this, the rosemary is likely added in a small amount to help preserve freshness and quality. The concerns you may see with rosemary during pregnancy are more related to larger, medicinal amounts or concentrated supplements rather than amounts used in food. I would feel comfortable with this during pregnancy! Just be sure to cook the ground chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Hey! Pitted just means the pit has been removed. However, whether pitted or unpitted/whole, most commercially packaged dates are dried or semi-dried rather than fresh produce. The picture you have here are dried dates.
*Update: Yesterday, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s state’s chief medical executive, said their early information is showing lettuce as the common product coming up.
Hi, everyone! Yes, all member questions are answered in the forum twice per week, so you’ll always get an answer!
I completely understand the concern, especially during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there isn’t a perfect answer right now since the specific food source(s) involved have not yet been identified.
Washing fresh produce thoroughly under running water is still the current recommendation and can help reduce risk, but as we know, it’s not going to completely eliminate the risk of Cyclospora.
First, I would continue to follow current food safety recommendations and any recalls or advisories as more information becomes available. Hopefully there are more details about a source soon.
Second, I think it’s also reasonable to temporarily lean more on cooked fruits and vegetables. It’s a personal decision, based on what you’re most comfortable with, though, of course. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables can be options right now, too. Think stir-fries, soups, crockpot meals, roasted vegetables, steamed vegetables, cooked fruit in muffins/breads, etc. Cooking is an effective way to avoid an infection (at least 158 degrees F). This may be particularly helpful if you’re in one of the states currently reporting a higher concentration of cases, such as Michigan.
Historically, Cyclospora outbreaks have been associated with a variety of fresh produce, including foods like berries, basil, cilantro, leafy greens, and other fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, since a source hasn’t been identified for the current outbreaks, I can’t give you a specific fresh fruit or vegetable to avoid right now. However, in my opinion, with how multistate and widespread the current outbreaks are, it seems more likely that a commercially distributed food or ingredient may be involved. Because of that, choosing produce grown locally and purchased directly from a farmer in your area may be another option to consider right now. I can’t say local produce is completely risk-free because offical guidance is not released, but based on what I’m seeing it seems reasonable that this is unlikely the culprit.
And yes, the treatment piece is a little more nuanced during pregnancy. The preferred antibiotic for Cyclospora has pregnancy-specific considerations, so if you were diagnosed, treatment would need to be discussed with your OB based on your gestational age and individual risks and benefits. The main risks if contracted would be prolonged watery diarrhea, reduced intake, weight loss, and concerns with staying adequately hydrated and nourished, which are important considerations during pregnancy.
Hey! Yes, I don’t see any concerns with it!
Hey! Yes, looks good. (:
Hey! Thanks for bringing this up. The pasta and protein portions do align pretty well for 2 servings from a macro standpoint, but you’re right that the recipe makes a pretty large volume once all the veggies are added. I went ahead and edited the recipe to reduce the vegetable portions a bit so the serving size feels more realistic. Thanks again for catching that!
Lettuce really comes down to your comfort level with both the small risk of potential contamination and the restaurant you’re eating at, but it does not have to be avoided during pregnancy. We can’t put a number on that risk because every establishment’s food safety practices are different, but the expectation is that they’re washing their produce, following safe food handling practices, and maintaining good hand hygiene.
The risk is never zero, but at a reputable restaurant with good food safety practices, it’s generally considered to be low. Some people choose to avoid raw lettuce unless they can wash it themselves at home, while others feel comfortable eating it from places they trust. It really comes down to what you feel most comfortable with.