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Midwives 'should discuss' dietary issues with women

The Royal College of Midwives has given some advice on how pregnant women should interpret recent news.
Following the recent news about caffeine and alcohol intake for pregnant women, the Royal College of Midwives has said that women should discuss these important matters with professionals.

In recent weeks, there has been new advice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) after research carried out by the universities of Leeds and Leicester.

The FSA has lowered its guidelines on daily caffeine intake from 300mg a day to just 200mg - equivalent to two mugs of coffee.

Caffeine is also found in tea, chocolate, energy snack bars, some soft drinks and certain medicines.

A new UCL study also suggested that light drinking during pregnancy may not be not as harmful to infants as previously thought.

Mervi Jokinen, a practice and standards development adviser from the Royal College of Midwives, said that these are "fluid issues" and with regards to alcohol, the "simplified answer" is to just abstain.

However she added: "But you don't really need to worry if you go to a wedding and have one glass of champagne."

Regarding caffeine, she said: "People are quite clear about coffee, but caffeine is hidden in so many other things especially in a modern diet. Midwives must discuss the caffeine intake."


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