Most pregnant women do a lot of research on what to eat during pregnancy. But it’s just as important to research what not to eat.
Rare or under-cooked meat is one example of a food that should definitely be avoided during pregnancy. Meat that is raw or cured also falls into this category. It can cause serious problems since it can contain salmonella bacteria and toxoplasmosis parasites. Although toxoplasmosis is much rarer than salmonella poisoning, it is a risk. Both of these problems result in severe vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and elevated body temperature. The loss of body fluids through fever, vomiting and diarrhea can also lead to dehydration which is a serious condition during pregnancy.
Take Precautions
It’s essential to take precautions when handling raw meat. Always keep it away from other foods to avoid the juices and potential contamination from infecting other foods. Raw meat should be carefully wrapped and kept cold to avoid bacteria from growing. It’s also important to use different cutting boards for raw meats, whether pregnancy is a concern or not. It is best to avoid wooden chopping boards since they can retain and harbor juices or bacteria from raw meat for long periods of time, thereby contaminating other foods later.
Before using any cutting surface, always clean it thoroughly and use a disinfecting soap or liquid to ensure germs are eliminated. And by all means, never return cooked meat to the same cutting board that was used prior to cooking until the board has been thoroughly disinfected. That goes for washing hands too.
Prepare Meat Carefully
Marinating is a common method of preparing raw meat but caution must be exercised during this process. Always keep the meat and marinade refrigerated to avoid germs and contamination. Keep the food in the dish covered so that juices do not splatter on other foods and contaminate them. This also helps to avoid cross-contamination of the meat from other foods.
After handling and preparing meat for the marinade, wash hands with a disinfectant soap.
Cook Thoroughly
It’s important to cook meat well beyond rare when pregnant. Although food prepared as rare or even medium-rare may be a preference, pregnancy is not the time to take chances when eating meat. Always cook poultry, beef, and other meats until they are completely done and there is no pink in the center. It is also essential to make sure that the juices are clear when meat is finished cooking. Don’t assume meat is done if juices are clear though. Always check by cutting into the middle of the meat to check for a well-done center.
Cook Seafood Too
Not only is it important to thoroughly cook meats during pregnancy, it’s also critical to completely cook seafood. Sushi or raw seafood can cause serious problems during pregnancy. Shellfish such as shrimp or oysters should not be eaten raw during pregnancy, but should be thoroughly cooked all the way through rather than quickly steamed or sauteed. Seafood high in mercury, such as tuna, shark, or tilefish, should be avoided altogether during pregnancy — no matter how it is cooked.
Consider Organic or Natural
Pregnancy is the perfect time to consider a transition to organic meat if it is not already a priority. Organic meats are raised without the use of chemicals, man-made fertilizer, and hormones that are often included in conventional types of processing. The United Stated Food and Drug Administration has created a certification program that requires organic meats to meet strict government standards to receive the seal. Natural foods are also a good option since they avoid artificial ingredients and processed ingredients such as refined sugar or white flour.
Both natural and organic foods are better for the health of mom and baby since they contain more healthy, natural ingredients. They usually are higher in fiber content too which makes them a good source for pregnant women who often suffer from constipation.
But even natural and organic meats must be cooked thoroughly since any raw or under-cooked meat is unhealthy during pregnancy.
Giving an unborn baby the best chances possible for a healthy period of growth and development starts with good, healthy nutrition. That means avoiding meats that are not fully and completely cooked and focusing on foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients.
