The research on diet and miscarriage is fairly limited at this time. It makes sense to follow a well balanced fertility diet to provide optimal conditions for a complete pregnancy. A good quality multivitamin mineral supplement that contains selenium as well as folate is recommended as some research has shown a link between selenium deficiency and miscarriage.

Food poisoning can mask as flu symptoms and can have serious consequences, including causing miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy. Listeria monocytogenes can be found in a variety of dairy products, leafy vegetables, fish and meat products. It can survive cold temperatures and sometimes grows on foods stored in the refrigerator. Toxoplasma is a single-celled parasite transmitted by the consumption of contaminated raw meat, or other raw foods including fruits and vegetables. Many food-borne contaminants do not change the appearance, smell or taste of food. To avoid food-borne illnesses, follow proper food-handling practices in the home:

• Wash hands frequently but especially before preparing and eating food.
• Prior to food preparation, and wash and disinfect food preparation surfaces and utensils that have been in contact with raw foods.
• Do not store fresh cooked meat and poultry products for more than 2 days in the refrigerator.
• Wash all raw fruit and vegetables thoroughly.
• Make sure hot foods are hot (above 60 degrees C/140 degrees F) and cold foods are cold (below 4 degrees C/39 degrees F).
• Refrigerate cooked foods immediately and use within 48 hours.
• If you are unsure of your hygiene practices around food, consider taking a FoodSafe course (www.foodsafe.ca).

During pregnancy avoid these foods because of possible bacterial contamination that could cause miscarriage:

• soft cheeses, such as brie, Camembert and blue veined;
• deli meats, hot dogs and pâtés;
• previously cooked seafood and smoked fish;
• raw fish or meat and poultry that is undercooked;
• raw or runny eggs or foods that contain raw eggs (Caesar salad and beverages such as eggnog);
• unpasteurized dairy or juice products.