Once you see those double lines on the pregnancy test it can seem like a never-ending list of must-have purchases throughout pregnancy and for a newborn. From maternity clothes to car seats and some weird white noise machine that your friend swears by.
The last thing you need is to be spending more on your food bill as well. Or should this be higher up the priority list?
Eating for Two
I hate to be ‘that person’ but you actually only need an extra 200kcal per day in your last trimester. That’s a small banana with 1tbsp of peanut butter. So if quantity of food is pretty fixed, what about quality? Is organic food worth the extra expense or just hype?
What is on our food?
Pesticides in an umbrella term given to chemicals applied whilst our food grows, that helps stop weeds, insects and moulds/fungus affecting the food we eat. They are known as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.
What does that mean for my baby?
Some pesticides are thought to disrupt our body’s hormones. Conception and pregnancy requires a delicate balance of hormones making pregnant people and newborns more vulnerable to the disruptive effects of some pesticides. Different countries have banned some pesticides that either the UK is still using or appears on imported fruit and vegetables. Although the body of evidence is still developing, buying organic during this specific life stage could be a good idea if accessible to you. Think local if possible too.
The Cocktail Effect
What is thought to be as important as amount of pesticides used, is the mixture of different ones. It’s like a mocktail, but just much less appealing. This is the area really lacking research and why it’s the focus of the ‘Dirty Dozen’.
#DirtyDozen
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) UK has done the hard work for us. Give a good old theatrical ‘boo’ for the ‘Dirty Dozen’. Each year PAN publishes a list of fruit and vegetables sampled to have the most different pesticide residues. This is the easiest way to focus your money and make organic food choices that have greatest effect. Where money and time allows, focus your organic purchases on foods that appear on this list. Also remember that organic certification is often difficult and expensive for small farms. If you have time and a local market or health food shop, talk to them about their farming practices and pesticide use. It might be pretty close to organic, just without the official certification.
PAN’s 2021 Dirty Dozen:
- Grapefruit
- Soft citruses (satsumas, mandarins)
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Sultanas and raisins
- Herbs
- Pre packed salad
- Grapes
- Lemons
- Pears
- Peaches and nectarines
- Spinach
Don’t stress
If the thought of organic is getting you all in a tizz, don’t fret. The benefit of non-organic fruit and veg still far outweighs the risks from pesticides. Focus on getting at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, including lots of different colours and varieties where you can and morning sickness allows. Wash all fruit and vegetables well. If all you can face one day is white toast and ginger beer, that’s ok. Give yourself a break, and maybe even a kit kat (also a snack below 200kcal in case you were wondering).
Insurance Policy
Although nutrients from real, organic food are preferable, a good quality prenatal and pregnancy multivitamin can also make sure that your growing baby and your body have all the vitamins and minerals they need in amongst the sickness and the food aversions. A registered nutritional therapist will be able to find a supplement that is right for your individual circumstances, eating habits and budget. No one size fits all here. Folic acid and vitamin D supplements are available on prescription, which to end on a high- is a free prescription when pregnant!
