The ultimate pregnancy week 18 food craving fulfilled!

I have to confess that as of this moment I have SEVEN boxes of girl scout cookies in my pantry. Might last me through the week, sigh..... The lemon ones are so soothing to my morning sick tummy though! Plus my 2 daughters also demanded girl scout cookies while they were in the womb and they turned out just fine, one even became a girl scout herself :)

Here is a tip for you thin mint lovers.

Ritz crackers
Dark chocolate
Peppermint oil

Dip the crackers in peppermint infused dark chocolate. Amazing and deeeelish.

that is hillarious! I actually probably consumed 2 whole boxes of the carmel delights on my own .... it's not my fault the baby made me do it :-) I think they must put crack in there!

Hi Everyone,

here is what i have found regarding Soft Serve Ice-cream and Listeria bacteria on pre gnancy.com.au by Jane Palmer(26th February 2001)

Listeria is a bacteria that is found in nature and lives in some foods. Sources of Listeria include most animals, soil, vegetation and sewerage. Because of this, Listeria can easily enter our food chain. An infection with Listeria can cause mild ‘flu-like’ symptoms, urinary tract infections or even quite serious illness. In adults who have an impaired immune system, Listeria can cause illnesses such as meningitis, pneumonia and encephalitis. The bacteria that causes Listeria is called Listeria monocytogenes. In pregnancy this bacteria can pass across the placenta and reach the baby. Listeria during pregnancy can cause abortion, premature rupture of membranes, premature birth and very sick babies. Listeria infections are not new, however it has only been known since 1980’s that it can be passed onto humans through food.
An infection with Listeria can be easily missed as it often presents with vague symptoms. A blood test or a test on the amniotic fluid can identify a Listeria infection. Listeria can be treated with certain antibiotics. If a baby contracts a Listeria infection it can become extremely sick with respiratory problems or meningitis. The baby can even die. Listeria infection is quite rare in Australia, but when it occurs in pregnancy it can have serious complications. It is for this reason that information is now being made available to pregnant women, so that they can make safe choices on the foods to eat during pregnancy.

The bacteria that causes Listeria is sensitive to heat. So by cooking food well, you are able to destroy it. When cooking meats ensure that the meat is cooked right through. Rare meat is not recommended. If you use the microwave to reheat, ensure that the food is steaming hot right through to the centre. While heat destroys Listeria, refrigeration does not. Listeria is one of the few bacteria that are able to grow on food in the refrigerator. So if food has been stored for longer than twelve hours after cooking - it is recommended that you do not eat it. Also avoid chilled ready to eat foods.

What steps can I take at home to avoid the risk of catching Listeria in my pregnancy?

The best way to avoid Listeria is by using good food hygiene. The first step is washing your hands before preparing any food. Raw fruit and vegetables should be thoroughly washed before eating. Food should be well cooked; no raw or partially cooked meats and seafood should be eaten in pregnancy. Food should be served piping hot. Do not eat lukewarm food. If using the microwave ensure that the food is well heated through to the centre. Hot soapy water should used to wash all food utensils. It is particularly important to wash chopping boards and knives after preparing raw food. Proper storage of food is essential. Store all your cooked food separately from uncooked products. Make sure that the raw food cannot drip onto cooked food. If you have cooked leftovers, place them straight into the fridge once they have stopped steaming (do not let food cool on the bench). Use all left overs within 12 hours of cooking or alternatively freeze for later use. Ensure that cooled food is kept below 5 degrees Celsius. Also do not eat food that has passed its used by date.
What foods should I avoid in pregnancy?

There are certain foods that are considered to be of high risk of Listeria contamination. The foods to avoid in pregnancy include:
Soft white cheeses eg. Ricotta, brie, camembert, blue vein and fetta
Pate
Unpasturised dairy products
Cold meats
Dried/fermented sausages
Raw seafoods eg. Oysters, sashimi
Smoked seafood (canned is okay)
Pre packed and prepared salads
Soft serve ice-cream

I Hope this is helpful information

OMG! I've been eating Carvel soft serve ice cream almost every day...chocolate ice cream with chocolate sprinkles on top & bottom...is this really bad???

LOL Grasshoppers are good but they just aren't the same. Plus if you eat those year round they just won't be as good when the GS cookies come.

Hey, our GS cookies cost $4 a box and have for years. No fair! And I've only just ordered from my nieces, they won't be in for awhile. Grrrrr.

Wait, I just at a McDonalds softserve cone, does that count???

Not sure what thin mints are...amazed that girl scouts (call them girl guides in the UK) sell biscuits (well cookies) thought that only happened in books!!! Anyway, erm... mints ah yes I craved extra strong mints when I was preg with #3 infact I did actually start eating toothpaste once I was so desparate for the taste of mint...blah...I haven't eaten strong mints since about an hour before I had son#2. I heard the ice cream thing too but did eat it in rather large amounts when preg with daughter#1 (didn't realise it was "banned" at the time...or maybe it wasn't back then?)

I wish I had cravings! Im 31 weeks now & still none, during my 2nd trimester I didn't really have an appetite due to the heat, & now the baby is squashing everything, so I don't eat much now either :(

My husband has been having the cravings instead though, I wish he could have the Branxton Hicks as well!!

Jane

They said bateria grows in the soft serve machines that is not good for baby.
I cant remember the name of the bateria that is bad but its same that found in the cold meats like ham etc it really sucks

GS cookies are the best!

Peta - Your doctor said you can't have soft-serve ice cream? Why? I haven't heard that...

Strugglepants - Hope today is your lucky day to get your cookies!!

Stephanie - Yes, I know about the grasshopper cookies. Just like Thin Mints (did you hear that Jessi and Cat?).

As a fellow Girl Scout cookie craving pregnant lady - I have a suggestion that my husband actually turned me on to. Grasshopper cookies (I'm pretty sure they're Keebler something or another) taste almost exactly the same as the Thin Mints. Granted, if you buy from the Girl Scouts, part of the money goes right back to the Girl Scouts, but when you just can't wait or it's not the right time of the year, they do in a pinch.

AHHHH!!! I am SO jealous. I ordered some from a friend's daughter but I haven't seen her in a while... coincidentally I am supposed to see her tomorrow so I am hopeful that she will have MAH COOKIES!!

I'm so jealous! I ordered my thin mints weeks ago but they won't be delivered until mid March. :-(

Oh Jane

I'm again so jealous,

Try craving a food that your doctor has told you, you can not eat as it could harm the baby.
Soft serve ice-cream I've wanted one from Macdonalds for days and then to make matters worse the Ice-crean truck came right past my house yesterday bells ringing and all, talk about rubbing it in my face, not to worry. Im so happy you got your cookies

I wil have to find another food to crave

Here's to all the weight I've lost over the past 18 weeks... We're out of ice cream and those cookies are saying, "Tarzan.... Taaaaarrrzan... Come eat us."

Must...

find...

the...

strength....

to....

resist....

I just bought samoas and thin mints yesterday from the girl scouts at the store! I've already eaten way too many.

Oh my goodness, now you have me wanting some thin mints! LOL, they start selling at the grocery stores starting the 27th...Maybe I can hold out a week......