Big fight brewing over what pregnant women should not eat

New York

MANY have seen someone throw a cold stare in the direction of a pregnant woman ordering a second glass of wine or, heaven forbid, smoking a cigarette. But with the list of potentially dangerous foods growing by the day, an expectant mother shouldn't be surprised if a stranger pipes up as she buys some macaroni and cheese.

"Your doctor said you could eat that?" Tut-tut.

Every month that passes brings new studies saying this food is good for you and that food is bad. Pregnant women experience this information overload in exponential terms. And many around them feel they have the right to weigh in when lunchtime arrives.

Research over the past few years has added common foods and beverages to the list of items that pregnant women should avoid. Studies have linked maternal consumption of both diet and regular soda with pre-term delivery and pre-eclampsia in mothers, higher…