Cheese to avoid during pregnant

The soft cheese made in the US are usually okay because they are made from pasteurized milk (pasteurization kills the Listeria organism). Imported soft cheeses are usually best to avoid. Here is a short list of soft cheeses to avoid:

• feta (goat cheese)
• brie
• Camembert
• blue-veined cheeses, like Roquefort

Source: http://www.amazingpregnancy.com/weekbyweek/foods.html

Avoid cheeses such as Camembert, Brie or chevre (a type of goats' cheese), or others that have a similar rind. You should also avoid blue cheeses.These cheeses are made with mould and they can contain listeria, a type of bacteria that could harm your unborn baby.

Source: http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/pregnancy/whenyrpregnant/

Breakfast: don't skip it.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for everyone. Many studies have found a relationship between eating breakfast and learning ability, attention span, and general well-being.

Breakfast is important for all ages, not just children. Other studies point to a connection between skipping breakfast with weight gain and memory impairment in young and older adults.

It was also reported in BBC that Eating breakfast is the secret to staying healthy, according to evidence unearthed by doctors in the US. The researchers believe that eating first thing in the morning may help to stabilise blood sugar levels, which regulate appetite and energy. They suggest people who eat breakfast are less likely to be hungry during the rest of the day and are, therefore, less likely to overeat.

So don't skip your breakfast.

Food Pyramid

Those at the bottom should eat more.
Those at the top should eat less.
So doesn't mean that eat more meat is more nutricious.
Should have more vegetables, and those grain that provide you the basic energy.

Food should avoid especially if you have cancer

• 1%, 2% and whole milk
• Meats with 96% fat or less
• Red meats
• Hydrogenated oils, such as stick margarine. Or foods that list hydrogenated oils in their ingredients
• Food with high butter fat and other animal fats such as whole milk or creams such as cheese, full fat yogurt, butter, sauces. They feed the cancers and can interfere with caroteniods absorption
• Deep-fried foods

How to eat SMART

Eat early, eat often: breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, and eating the majority of your daily caloric allotment early in the day gives your body time to work those calories off. Also, eating six small, healthy meals throughout the day, rather than the standard three large meals, can help keep your metabolism going and ward off snack attacks.

Listen to your body: Stop eating when you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eating slowly can help you get a more accurate read on this, as well.

Take time to chew your food: Digestion begins in the mouth. Chewing breaks the food into smaller particles and mixes the food with saliva that contains digestive enzymes. Thorough digestion is key to the absorption of nutrients and to good health! Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of what is in our mouths.

Avoid stress while eating. When we are stressed, our digestion can be compromised. Avoid eating while working, driving, or watching TV (especially disturbing programs or the news). If you feel stressed or upset, stop eating and relax before continuing with your meal. Try taking some deep breaths prior to beginning your meal, or light candles and play soothing music to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Careful of starfruit: Star fruit can be poisonous for kidney patients

This article is from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my/)
URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/23/nation/21037893&sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: All it takes is one fruit or 100ml of its juice and the ordinarily harmless star fruit becomes poison in a matter of hours for kidney patients. University Malaya Medical Centre consultant nephrologist Prof Dr Tan Si-Yen said this was what had happened to Tang Gon Seang in China. The 66-year-old, who has been suffering from a kidney ailment, was in Shenzhen visiting his son when fell into a coma on March 29 after eating star fruits.

Star fruits contain a neurotoxin which is not present in other fruits. It affects the brain and nerves. In healthy persons, the kidneys filter it out. “In kidney patients, it cannot be removed and worsens their condition,” he said. More than 10 other patients in the hospital suffered the same condition after consuming star fruits.

The public must be alert to reactions to star fruit. Look out for initial symptoms including hiccups, numbness and weakness, and neurological symptoms including confusion, agitation and epileptic fits,” he said. “The risk of death is high,” he added.

All you need to know about fruits

Kiwi : Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E & fibre. It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

Apple : An apple a day keeps the doctor away?Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attach & stroke.

Strawberry : Protective FruitStrawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer causing, blood vessels clogging free radicals.

Orange : Sweetest medicineTaking 2 -4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessen the risk of colon cancer.

Watermelon : Coolest Thirst QuencherComposed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C & Potassium.

Guava & Papaya : Top awards for Vitamin CThey are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fibre which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, this is good for your eyes.