Health Tips for October 11

Health Tip: Help Prevent Listeriosis During Pregnancy

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection that's contracted from contaminated food or drink. The infection can cause serious effects for a pregnant woman and her growing fetus, including miscarriage or early delivery.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers this advice about how pregnant women can reduce their risk of contracting listeriosis:

• Avoid eating processed meats such as hot dogs and deli or lunch meats, unless you heat them in the microwave or regular oven until steaming.
• Avoid meat spreads, smoked seafoods and pate that require refrigeration.
• Don't drink unpasteurized (sometimes called raw) milk or foods made with this ingredient. Cheeses that say "made with pasteurized milk" are OK.
• Avoid store-bought pre-made ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad and seafood salad.

Health Tip: Before You Become Pregnant

If you're thinking about starting a family, it's a good idea to practice healthy habits before you become pregnant.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers this pre-conception advice:

• Schedule a visit with your doctor to ask questions and find out about any potential risks.
• Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise.
• Make sure you're not overweight.
• Take a vitamin that contains folic acid.
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use.
• If you have any chronic health problems (such as diabetes or high blood pressure), try to get them under control before pregnancy. Speak with your doctor about how disease management would change during pregnancy.