Why aren't there any pregnancy boards on Chowhound?

[Caralien]

I am not necessarily craving anything ridiculous, but would like some help. The baby specific boards and books don't have anything useful regarding eating aside from avoid all that is good with recipes calling for velveeta, well cooked hot dogs, fast food choices...you know what I mean. Even something that had seasonal food suggestions would be welcomed.

I miss intelligent people who know food and how to cook and prepare it. Surely some of you are or have been pregnant and can help?

Thanks!

[HillJ]

http://blogs.babble.com/nibblers/about/

Explore this blog within the babble.com site. You might find an alliance!

[valerie]

This comes up often...

http://search.chow.com/search?query=pregnancy&advanced=1&from_date=5+years+ago&type=Topic&sort_mode=relevance&from_date_select=5+years+ago&search_boardgroup_id=10&search_board_id=27&user_name=&post_title=

http://search.chow.com/search?query=p...=

[Caralien]

Most of the CH links are "I am craving or eating wierd s*&% like hotdogs, fried chicken, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut (does Pepsi cater to both stoners and pregnant women?)" or "I have horrible morning sickness--what do you suggest that I might be able to keep down", neither of which is the case for me (the posts are the same on the baby sites). Personally, I have little appetite, no nausea, and can eat little more than something the size of a clementine, and miss my normally ravenous appetite.

I don't need pregnancy for dummies, just a realistic guide to quality food for someone who doesn't normally eat food with an unknown shelf life from a can or fast food joints. Maybe I should write a book, as none of the dozens of books I've read thus far address the issues pregnant food lovers face (ie baked brie--is it safe? Low mercury fish--poached, ceviched?, pan fried, broiled. Foie gras and sauternes--here's a recipe for safe pate with a side of alcohol-free riesling from Navarro for when nothing else hits the spot. What to do when you're stressed and no amount of salt takes care of your craving. Creme caramel--yes, this is still safe. Street food--what is probably okay and what to avoid no matter what)

Thanks y'all

[HillJ]

None of the bloggers from the website above addressed your questions? If not, perhaps you should take the initiative and create one!

[Caralien]

I'm still going through babble, and it appears more reasonable than many sites, particularly here:

http://www.babble.com/the-six-biggest-pregnancy-myths-lj-williamson-in-defense-of-sushi-cheese-hair-dye-and-common-sense/

http://www.babble.com/Real-Food-for-M...

Thank you!

[HillJ]

C, if I find any other related sites/blogs/newsletters I'll post them here.

[Caralien]

thank you!

[rworange]

I guess I don't understand why you don't just post your questions on the General Board or Home Cooking I know searching is a bear on the site, but part of the flow of Chowhound is asking to get the latest info.

[Caralien]

I did post on the General Board; CH moved it.

[Chris VR]

Why don't you post your pregnancy food-related questions on the General board or Home Cooking?

[MMRuth]

I think she meant post your questions about eating/cooking during pregnancy on one of those boards. There seem to be lots of specific threads on boards about feeding/cooking for older parents, pregnant women, children, new mothers etc.

[Caralien]

My point, which wasn't clear, was where to find great, seasonal food for a pregnant woman not having PepsiCo cravings or nausea but wanting to remain within the crazed guidelines (no soft foreign cheese but cream cheese and sour cream are okay, no foie or pate unless it's from a can, no alcohol, no mercury high food like sushi or shellfish but canned light tuna is fine up to twice a week, nothing raw or rare, don't clean the cat box, nothing foreign, no herbal teas, reduce salt and caffeine but Fast Food is fine here's a list of what to get at Applebee's and KFC in the numerous books written by Nutritionalists who seem to like Velveeta, American Cheese, and canned vegetables--basically, I'm supposed to adopt the Standard American Diet, aka SAD, which I do not eat, during the other SAD, aka Seasonal Affective Disorder, time period)

There were not a lot of specific threads at all on the General Board, Home Cooking, of CH. I understand that pregnant women are generally not the catered to folk of the great food empire I worship, but this is simply frustrating. Maybe my searching abilities have decimated, but I don't see much on CH, which came to me as a great surprise.

On one thread I just read that basil is bad for pregnancy too. That throws out southeast asian and Italian food.

It would be great if I actually liked peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on Wonderbread. Oops, that would have to be cashew butter.

[MMRuth]

I would just go ahead and start a thread on the GT board, were I you. Congratulations, by the way!

[HillJ]

Wow, does this bring me back to my own (4) pregnant days. And, since every woman has a meal/health/the latest news flash dilemma, chowish style, health concern and appetite you will wind up weeding thru what info there is to begin with. Good luck in your search and if you do decide to blog your experience or uncover a great resource that addresses your question be sure to share it here.

[The Dairy Queen]

Caralien, congratulations! I would also suggest posting on your local board asking for recommendations for local restaurants that serve dishes that are especially crave-worthy and healthful during pregnancy. My guess is a number of people will come out of the woodwork to recommend what worked for them when they were in your shoes. Also, maybe people will have some specific purveyors or products available locally that they can recommend.

It sounds like you're going to have to be a trail-blazer in this matter! Such is the Chowhound way. Good luck, and please report back, to make the path a little smoother for those who come after you.

~TDQ

[The Chowhound Team]

Quick clarification:
- Queries regarding the site (e.g. "why no boards for area X") go on Site Talk.
- Queries about general good stuff to eat (e.g. "What's your favourite pregancy food") go on General Topics.
- Queries about recipes and cooking at home (e.g. "What's the best recipe for Y") go on Home Cooking.

If you have questions on multiple areas, best to post separately on each board. That way the posts will get the appropriate audience and will help maximize the number of relevant and thus useful responses. In addition, it'll ensure that others looking for the same information will be able find it more easily. Hope this helps!

[pikawicca]

I ate healthy non-pregnant and pregnant -- no difference. If you're not willing to feed it to your baby, why on earth would you be willing to feed it to yourself?

[Caralien]

*I* drink wine, eat foie gras, pate, cured meats, raw milk cheeses, stinky cheeses, basil, smoked food, ceviche, unwashed grapes, herb teas, caffeine, sushi, oysters, honey, street food--I wouldn't feed these things to a baby and am avoiding them during pregnancy. Why? They taste good and I like them.