Diet During My 1st Trimster

I maintain a highly strict diet since I know I’m pregnant. My gynae has advised me against certain food. My parents and in-laws have their fair share of contributing to my list of good and bad food.
Let me share with you what I have and have not been eating during my first 3 months of pregnancy.

Food No No
No processed meat as they are high nitrate content which is no good for baby's development
No alcohol as it will affect blood sugar and depletes vitamins
Avoid soft and blue-veined cheeses such as camembert, brie, stilton, blue cheese and feta as they may cause abnormalities in the fetus development
Avoid non- pasteurized milk and dairy products as they contain Listeria and other bacteria that may be harmful to the baby during pregnancy
Avoid coffee and tea as they contain caffeine which is diuretic and will cause dehydration. Also, high levels of caffeine can result in low birth weight for babies and affects the way the mother absorb iron which is vital for baby’s development.
Avoid raw and partially cooked food e.g. egg, raw meat, Caesar dressing, mayonnaise and even ice cream as they contain bacteria like the salmonella which can cause food poisoning.
Avoid certain type of fish which are high in mercury content e.g. swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tuna, sea bass and tilefish.
Avoid excessive intake of vitamin A food as they can be harmful to the baby
Avoid tonic as they may be too potent and affect the initial development of the baby
Avoid spices as they may be too potent and cause birth defects
Avoid “cooling” fruits e.g. pineapple, banana and papaya
Avoid cold drinks as they may cause phlegm in babies

This list may not be comprehensive.

Additional Food which I avoid
I maintain a strict diet and avoid all the above mentioned food. There are some more food which I cannot stand eating certain as their scent turns me very off. They comprise of
- coffee which used to be my staple before I’m pregnant
- celery which used to be one of my favourite in soup
- broccoli which is also my favourite vegetable
- Pomfret fish as I cannot stand its fishy smell

Type of Favourite Food during my 1st Trimester
- potato chips as my taste bud is geared towards salty food during pregnancy
- cornflakes as I enjoy the crunchy bit, just like potato chips
- oatmeal which is easy to digest during my sleeping hour
- fried chicken
- fried bee hoon
Frequency of Meals
During my pre-pregnancy stage, I have been eating four times a day. They are the 3 main meals and one snack before dinner. Now, I have to eat 6 times a days. A snack in between each meal is essential to fight hunger during my pregnancy in the first trimester.

My Meals
Let me share with you what my daily diet is made up of.
Weekdays and Weekends
Breakfast: an apple + outside food which my mother will buy from the market
Snack: Teochew kuey/pastries
Lunch: Chinese dishes with rice that are prepared by my mother
Usually comprise of white rice, soup, vegetable and fish
Snack: 6 plain crackers with a slice of Kraft cheese/ a big Fuji apple
Dinner: Chinese dishes with rice that are prepared by my mother or in-laws
Usually comprise of white rice, soup, vegetable and fish
Snack: 1 bowl of oatmeal