The Short Guide to Pregnant Lady Holiday Eating
December 19, 2008
 Within the first hour I arrived at my sister's house for Thanksgiving I had been assaulted on the pregnancy-diet front from both sides. First, my sister offered me a champagne cocktail when I walked through the door with my almost seven month pregnant belly leading the way. "Just one won't hurt!" She seemed disappointed that I opted for the sparkling cider. About thirty minutes later a man who I had just met found it perfectly socially acceptable to grill me about what kind of beverage was actually in the wine glass I was holding ("You're not drinking Champagne, are you?" while looking suspiciously at my belly). The moral of this story is that the holidays are even trickier when it comes to eating and drinking for the pregnant lady. Not only do you have to watch what you eat with a more critical eye, but you may also be subjected to the critical judgment of well meaning, slightly obnoxious onlookers. The basic tips for holiday eating don't change much from the rest of the year but with buffets and extended dining hours there are a few things that pregnant women should keep in mind. Beverages: I won't belabor the no alcohol point - I think most pregnant women know about this one. Avoid eggnog unless you are sure it is pasteurized. In fact, unless you have a major love of eggnog it is better to avoid it altogether because it contains a ton of extra calories that you can save for your dinner plate. Also limit coffee and other caffeinated beverages. Not only are there new studies everyday about the impact of caffeine in pregnancy, but they will also contribute to dehydration over the course of the day. DO be sure to drink plenty of water and hydrating juices and fluids. Holiday parties are warm and by the end of Thanksgiving this year I found myself feeling like I had been trapped on a desert island with a canteen full of sand. Buffets: In General: Again, keeping hydrated will curb your cravings a bit so focus on that first. Avoid trying to "starve" all day in preparation for a big meal. This will only lead a pregnant woman to a will power (and possibly gastrointestinal) disaster. Keeping those salty snacks and nuts to a minimum will help you focus on nutritional choices and will also help keep a check on water retention and swelling through the night. If you want seconds from a dinner or buffet, be sure to keep in mind that the foods have been sitting out at this point - dry foods, crackers, and fruits are the best choices at this point. Dessert: Yeah, go for it but try to limit to one piece of pie (or cheesecake) or even split a piece with someone else. Keep in mind that your digestive system has been contorted and restricted to make room for baby so being pregnant and totally stuffed will certainly lead to some discomfort later in the evening. I am the classic challenge to authority and during my first pregnancy I wondered if all these rules were worthwhile. What are the chances that you might actually get sick at a buffet or holiday dinner? It is difficult to say but the guidelines exist for good reason. Unpasturized foods or cold lunch meats may contain Listeriosis which can be fatal for even a late term fetus. It's not terribly common but also not at all worth the risk. As for the rest, I can attest to having contracted food poisoning at seven months pregnant and believe me that is also not worth the risk! Although there might not be long term complications from it the gymnastics of being that sick and that pregnant are themselves traumatizing. It is definitely much easier to keep an eye on your plate than to deal with the implications of making a bad food choice. Trust me when I say that you will be left with much more pleasant and enjoyable holiday memories! 
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