What you eat is feeding the baby you’re carrying as well, so no matter how much you love your morning coffee, a drink in the evening, or a bag of chips for lunch, ask yourself first if you would feed this to your baby once it’s been born. While some things are alright in moderation, others should be avoided entirely and replaced with a healthier substitute.

Alcohol

This is one of the habits you should refrain from entirely. As soon as you decide you would like to conceive, both you and you partner should cut alcohol out of your lives as it not only has an effect on the developing fetus, it can affect your egg and sperm cells as well. You should continue to avoid alcohol while breastfeeding as it can still be passed along to your baby through your breast milk.

During your pregnancy, consuming alcohol could cause birth defects and abnormalities. Regular consumption could even result in fetal alcohol syndrome or other complications. This, among illegal drug use, is one of the most important habits to avoid as it can have a severe impact on the health and well-being of your unborn child.

Cigarettes and Tobacco

Smoking is a major cause of health problems and can be responsible for diseases such as emphysema, lung cancer, and other respiratory related illnesses. If you’re a smoker, quitting from the time you decide to conceive until the time you’ve finished breast feeding will keep your baby it’s healthiest. Once your baby is born, it would still be a good idea to refrain from smoking, or at least not in the house or around your baby. Second hand smoke can be just as harmful, so try to avoid frequently being in the vicinity of people who are smoking while you are pregnant.

Caffeine

Small amounts of caffeine should not have a negative affect on your unborn baby, but avoiding it as much as possible is a good idea. A high level of caffeine intake could be harmful and may result in birth defects or increase your risk of miscarriage. It can also be a diuretic which could lead to dehydration and calcium loss.

Sugar and Junk Food

Refined sugars and artificial sweeteners can increase the risks of diabetes and other health problems. Your growing baby could become bigger which may mean a more difficult delivery for you. Eating unhealthy junk food will leave you feeling full, but you won’t be getting any of the nutrients your body requires so try to limit your intake of packaged and processed food and stick to a healthier diet.

Knowing what’s in the food you eat will help to keep your growing baby in the best health possible. Avoiding meat products that have been exposed to steroids and hormones or eating vegetables grown in clean, uncontaminated soil are some steps you can take to ensure you’re doing everything you can to bring a healthy baby into the world. Little things like switching out coffee and pop for juice and water can make a big difference in your baby’s health in the long run.