This is the part of being pregnant that I knew I would hate.

As a chef and food writer, my life has always centered around food and the art of pushing the envelope with what people would eat. My industry would be nowhere without adventurous individuals who tried new things and lived to tell the tale. However, six months ago (almost 7 now), my life was no longer All About Me. My life suddenly became All About the Small Being in My Belly; the hedonistic part of me had to be retired and the new, improved, responsible me came out to discover what life had to offer.

What did I discover? Surprisingly, a great deal of healthy, readily available pregnancy-friendly options!

Wine: After speaking to my OB, I found out that once out of the first trimester I was allowed one or two glasses of wine a week. I have limited myself to one, ritualistically imbibed in company of family or friends on Saturday night at whatever restaurant we can afford that week. That one glass of wine, along with the night out with company, has become a bigger reward for getting through the work week than a Saturday night has ever been in the past. Also I found I can afford to eat out more since I am not paying for 4 glasses of wine or other alcoholic beverage on addition to dinner - and bartenders really enjoy creating fruity or sweet non-alcoholic "specials" for my best friend (also sporting a big baby belly) and I!

Sushi: This was one subject my OB would not bend on - as a matter of fact, she suggested I stay away from 90% of the seafood on the market, either for mercurial or bacterial reasons. What have I substituted for this once-majority of my diet? I find I take chances more when choosing items off of a menu! I listen to the server's opinions instead of going with my "regulars" or something I know is a safe bet. I have learned that I really love barley risotto, braised chicken, vegetarian curries, even meat substitutes like seitan and TVP (textured vegetable protein, often used as a chicken replacement) from restaurants I never would have ordered anything but steak from before.

Cheese: Again, there was more to this than most pregnant women realize. The rule for eating cheese is not that you CAN'T eat raw-milk cheese. You can - if it is aged longer than 6 months! This means imported grating cheeses like Parmagiano Reggiano are perfectly OK. And due to import regulations, any cheese imported into the US has to be aged longer than that or has to be pasteurized, so no worries at restaurants or cheese shops.

Coffee: I am a true-blue addict here. I love coffee, in almost any form. Although you are most definitely allowed a cup or two of coffee a day (actually, doctors recommend that EVERYONE regardless of age, sex, or parental status stick to this rule) I gave it up entirely. I would be like a heroin addict here if I said I'd limit myself - I know one would turn into two, would turn into 4 and so on until I had a vibrating brain and the poor baby in my belly would possibly develop heart problems. I have started experimenting with OB-approved herbal teas and fruit infusions, and have become a tea guru for all the other preggos in my circle of friends - I heartily recommend Yogi Tea's "Mother-To-Be" blend, especially when you aren't feeling so hot. It has worked wonders for my appetite, as well as my drama-queen sister's current morning sickness.

Debunking (and re-bunking) all the commonly held food rumors for pregnant women has given me a new respect for the foods I do continue to eat, and for my colleagues that prepare them. I have stopped worrying and really started enjoying all aspects of being pregnant - and I look forward to the days ahead where I can show my little one how many choices there really are.

Food is Love, after all.

The author is a freelance writer and hospitality consultant, as well as soon-to-be-mom (her first is due January 2009) living on Long Island. She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, was a professional chef and restaurant manager for 6 years, and is always looking for reasons/excuses to travel anywhere in the world to eat and take photos.