Mexico at four weeks pregnant, how concerned to be about food

[Anonymous]

We are taking our first vacation in three years next week and I just found out I'm four weeks pregnant. Going to a very touristy part of Mexico and will only be eating at resorts. Would you avoid basically all food? Eat like normal (within pregnancy guidelines)? I'm normally pretty cavalier about food while pregnant (I eat sushi and subs from clean places but avoid all salads etc) but haven't ever traveled so early in pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

I went to Mexico City while 16 weeks pregnant and ate whatever I wanted - except queso fresco. That and bean sprouts are the only things I avoid here in the U.S. I also went to India, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East while in the first trimester and did not restrict my eating - with the caveat that I did not eat street food and I only ate from reputable places.(Which I guess does count as restricting my eating but don’t think I would’ve eaten street food in those places while not pregnant.) In Mexico City I did eat street food.

[Anonymous]

Avoiding salads does not make you sound cavalier about eating to me. 😀

[Anonymous]

I would be more worried about Zika?

[Anonymous]

Don't eat the cotija, don't drink smoothies or anything with ice. I would probably avoid the ceviche. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Mexico City while 16 weeks pregnant and ate whatever I wanted - except queso fresco. That and bean sprouts are the only things I avoid here in the U.S. I also went to India, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East while in the first trimester and did not restrict my eating - with the caveat that I did not eat street food and I only ate from reputable places.(Which I guess does count as restricting my eating but don’t think I would’ve eaten street food in those places while not pregnant.) In Mexico City I did eat street food.

I got severe food poisoning in India. I also came back with a few friends, i.e. parasites. I tried to be very careful.

[Anonymous]

I would cancel the trip.

You are pregnant and their vax rates are low and covid rates are high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Mexico City while 16 weeks pregnant and ate whatever I wanted - except queso fresco. That and bean sprouts are the only things I avoid here in the U.S. I also went to India, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East while in the first trimester and did not restrict my eating - with the caveat that I did not eat street food and I only ate from reputable places.(Which I guess does count as restricting my eating but don’t think I would’ve eaten street food in those places while not pregnant.) In Mexico City I did eat street food.

I got severe food poisoning in India. I also came back with a few friends, i.e. parasites. I tried to be very careful.

Ugh. NP here. I’m sorry. That’s my greatest travel fear. When I went to Mexico (puerto Vallarta) I had no issues. I ate hotel food, restaurant food, street food, ice, fruit, etc. I think you will be fine at the hotel.

[Anonymous]

No ice, no tap, no fresh juices, no raw vegetables, no raw fruits that have been cut. I would be wary of most cheeses. I would personally also avoid raw fish and things like virgin cocktails that may have tapwater and ice.

I got violent food poisoning from fresh pressed juice at our extremely clean and upscale Hotel while pregnant in the first trimester in morocco. It was a horrible experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would cancel the trip.

You are pregnant and their vax rates are low and covid rates are high.

But if OP is vaxxed, that shouldn’t matter.

[Anonymous]

I got violently ill in Mexico City /Guanajuato while being “careful”. I think this is a very common experience. I wouldn’t go on this trip right now, personally.

[Anonymous]

Uh Zika is a bigger concern, and I’ve never been to Mexico and NOT gotten food poisoning so that’s saying something. Really dumb selfish trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh Zika is a bigger concern, and I’ve never been to Mexico and NOT gotten food poisoning so that’s saying something. Really dumb selfish trip.

I shouldn't respond to this but I will. I have two toddlers. The last vacation I took was in 2018. My husband and I were both essential workers who went though hell during covid. We saved up and are staying at the Waldorf, the first vacation we've been on solo since our honeymoon. We flew up my in laws and parents to take care of our kids, the first childcare we've had since 2019. Selfish? You bet! Women aren't just vessels for pro creation. I get to have a life too. I would rather drink bottled water and eat saltines the whole time than cancel.

And Zika? There was one confirmed case in Mexico in 2020. Zero in 2021. 50 in 2019 There haven't been Zika cases in Cabo ever.

Troll harder you absolute moron.

[Anonymous]

At 4 weeks, I didn't even know I was pregnant and was still drinking (in moderation).

Don't drink the water. Use bottled, even when brushing teeth. If you eat at local restaurants, make sure they're crowded/bustling with locals! A place that's sparse/not busy suggests the local population avoids it for a reason. Hot cooked food is safer than raw.

I wouldn't worry about Zika, I think that's no longer a thing. Ask your OB though, and it's safe to use bug spray when pregnant.

[Anonymous]

Avoid strawberries, they are impossible to effectively disinfect. And skip salads too. The no ice advice is way out of date.