Nell

Hi. I'm two months pregnant (first time), and my husband and I are going to Italy in three weeks (also first time anywhere overseas). Given my lack of experience, this might sound dumb, but is there anything I need to be concerned about food-wise? I'm especially thinking about things like produce, milk, etc. I have some co-workers I could ask, but I haven't really announced my pregnancy at work, so I'm kind of stuck. Any help??

StCirq

Nell: <BR> <BR>Don't ask your co-workers; ask your doctor. I traveled to Italy twice while pregnant with my first (once solo), and got basically a green light from my doctor to eat or drink anything except alcohol, raw shellfish, and a few other things that now escape my mind. I'm pretty sure he recommended bottled water, not as a dire warning about Italian water, which is fine, but just for that extra protection.

Lucy

I think some soft cheeses are also on the no-no list for pregnant women.

anon

In the US I think they tell women not to eat unpasteurized cheeses, but I don't think European doctors so the same. That would be fresh (buffalo) mozzarella, feta, and ?

ilisa

If you go to www.fda.gov and follow the links for food, you will find a site for pregnant women which will give you guidelines on what to eat. It is recommended that certain soft cheeses are avoided. I would discuss the list with your doctor. For example, it includes feta, but my doctor does not prohibit it. There are also certain types of fish you should avoid altogether, and some types you should eat in moderation due to mercury levels.

Nell

Thanks so much for the responses. I will definitely discuss with my doctor, but I also thought people who have visited Italy would have a good idea of what I might encounter (non-pasteurized milk-cheeses,etc.). I'll make sure to check out the fda site. Thanks for the tips.

micia

Good golly, I hope a lot of Italian women don't read this. <BR> <BR>Don't worry to much about eating and drinking while in Italy. <BR>The milk is better and fresher than what we have in the US. The cheese is the same. <BR>Unless you have certain health problems that already required a certain diet in the US, you should be able to eat what you normally do at home. <BR>Though the water is perfectly safe to drink here, I prefer the taste of bottled and I do the same in the US. <BR>Most Italians drink bottled water unless they live in a certain part of Rome, where you can get the best tap water ever. <BR>Take your normal precautions and don't eat anything you wouldn't at home. <BR>Doctors here do not issue special diets to the pregnant women.

Rachel

You'll love Italy. I would also caution to take it easy. I rememeber my first time to Italy, we were constantly on the go, walking around and sightseeing for 7-8 hours at a time. Don't push yourself too hard -- you can always go back.

micia

I forgot the most important thing. <BR>By all means, eat the fruits and vegetables. You would be missing something wonderful if you didn't. <BR>Some things are so much better that you will never like the ones we have at home once you tried them here. <BR>Tomatoes and cherry tomatoes are a prim example. <BR>My favorite for those that are here in the winter, clemintine (without seeds). If you find them somewhere and say "senza semi" try them, they are so sweet.