Pregnancy is going to be a phase of life where we ask ourselves a lot of questions. You are pregnant and during your medical consultations, you have been given many dietary advice. But you feel lost on what food is allowed or not recommended. In order to avoid causing your baby health problem, it is great to follow various feeding recommendations. Can we eat living when pregnant? It depends on how it is prepared in most cases. This way we will see with you if you can eat living when pregnant, in raw, smoked, steamed, frozen or cooked form.
How can you eat living while pregnant with no risk?
Can we eat living raw when pregnant?
Raw fish is contraindicated when pregnant with no exception. Eat living when pregnant, will not be advised during pregnancy. Raw fish may possibly contain bacteria such as listeriosis or toxoplasmosis. Listeriosis (bacteria) and toxoplasmosis (parasites) are foodborne illnesses. They are generally transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or childbirth. If the fish is not cooked, then the bacteria is not killed. It can spread and be transmitted to your baby. For that reason, to avoid worries, do not eat living raw. In this category, this includes all sushi, sashimi, tartars, carpaccio, ceviche, gravlax salmon…
Can we eat living smoked when we are pregnant?
The answer is precisely the same as for raw fish, it is not recommended to eat living smoked while pregnant. Smoked fish may possibly have precisely the same bacteria as raw fish. Foodborne illnesses will contain listeriosis and toxoplasmosis infection.
Can we eat living steamed when pregnant ?
Steam cooking generally exceeds 158°F/70°C, which is recommended for living steam cooking. This is why you will be able to safely eat living steamed when pregnant .
Can we eat living frozen while pregnant?
The frozen fish can be eaten by the pregnant woman. You will have to make sure that the cold chain has been respected. In case that you freeze living at home, then you will be able to eat it when you are pregnant. Make sure that the temperature of the freezer is well under -0.4°F/-18°C.
Can we eat living cooked during pregnancy?
When you eat living while pregnant, you are completely safe. Any cooking method above 158°F/70°C allows you to destroy bacteria that may possibly be present in fish. As well as your fish being cooked in papillote, in the oven, in the frying pan, it will be safe to eat.
What measures will there be to avoid becoming infected by eating living when pregnant?
Food hygiene rule during pregnancy
It is recommended not to eat fish more than 2 times a week. It is great to vary the species and supply locations. It is relatively preferable to limit the consumption of the following fish: sea bream, skate, halibut, tuna, carp, sea bass, monkfish, bonito, and eel. It is suggested to avoid the consumption of swordfish, marlin, siki, shark and lamprey.
Listeriosis
Listeriosis is an disease transmitted by a resistant bacteria found in soil, vegetation and water. To protect yourself, you probably should not eat risky foods, and follow certain rules during food preparation and handling. The infection then can be transmitted to the fetus, that may lead to premature delivery or miscarriage. High risk products are raw milk or products made from raw milk (raw milk cheeses), soft cheeses (brie, camembert,…), delicatessen products, rillettes and pâtés, foie gras, smoked or raw fish and seafood products (so not raw or smoked white tuna), raw or undercooked meat, cooked dishes that have been in the fridge for too long,…Listeria is a bacterium killed by pasteurization and cooking. To protect yourself from listeriosis, cook your food sufficiently and do not eat risky foods.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a disease, linked to a parasite found in soil and meat. Toxoplasmosis will sometimes also be transmitted by cats and their poop. Many women have been infected with toxoplasmosis and have developed antibodies. However, some women don’t have these antibodies and for that reason will have to follow some food hygiene rules during their pregnancy. Human contamination can happen in three ways, either by eating undercooked meat or fish, or by eating food contaminated (raw vegetables) with cat feces. Here are some advice to avoid being infected with toxoplasmosis when you are pregnant. Wash your hands frequently, especially if you have prepared raw meat, earth or raw vegetables. Do not rub your eyes while touching raw meat. Eat well-cooked meat and fish and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
Conclusion
At last, it is possible to eat living while pregnant but in some forms. You can search for a food in our search bar for pregnant women.