Case Study: Safe Food Choices during Pregnancy
Stephanie F. is a 30-year-old professional woman in her first trimester of pregnancy. She and her husband entertain guests frequently and enjoy wine and specialty cheeses on these occasions. They buy fresh produce, eggs, milk, and cheese from a local farmer’s market each week and limit their intake of packaged foods. She has no food aversions and eats a variety of foods. Stephanie wants to make sure her diet is nutritious and safe for pregnancy. She decides to evaluate her typical daily intake:
Breakfast:
Coffee with cream and sugar (2-3 cups)
Orange juice (1 cup)
Bagel with lox and cream cheese
Lunch:
Fresh vegetable salad with canned tuna or deli turkey
Cheese with fruit and crackers
Iced tea with sugar and lemon
Dinner:
Beef, pork, poultry, or fish
Pasta or rice
Fresh cooked vegetables
Red or white wine (1 glass)
Snacks:
Cookies and milk
Fresh fruit
1. What is the safest and wisest decision for Stephanie to make about drinking alcohol during pregnancy? Give reasons for your answer.
2. During her pregnancy, what special considerations for food safety should Stephanie keep in mind when buying and consuming fish and also fresh produce, juice, and dairy foods at her local farmer’s market? Explain.
