We already talked about vegetables, fruit and fish during pregnancy in other articles. However, what about meat ? Can we eat pork when pregnant? You are lost and do not understand what you are able or not able to eat during pregnancy. What is advised and what is prohibited. We will talk about with you whether you can eat pork while pregnant, the potential risks and benefits of eating meat during pregnancy.
Are we allowed to eat pork when pregnant?
The question of whether you can eat meat during pregnancy comes up frequently. So can we eat pork when we are pregnant? The answer will be YES. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to take various precautions in order to be able to eat them without any risk.
What will be the risks of eating pork when pregnant and what actions can be taken?
What are the risks of eating pork when pregnant?
The two main risks associated with meat during pregnancy are toxoplasmosis and listeriosis.
Toxoplasmosis will be a pathology related to a parasite that is present in soil and meat. Some women will find themselves already protected, others will not. You find out this from the beginning of your pregnancy, through the blood test that the doctor will have you do. If you are protected, you do not have to protect yourself from toxoplasmosis and therefore you won’t have to be concerned about the following recommendations. If you do not have the antibodies, well then you have to follow various rules. First of all, to be able to eat pork while pregnant, it could be necessary to be sure that the meat is well cooked. You should not eat raw, dried, smoked or marinated meat. The toxoplasmosis parasite will not be killed during cooking. To eat meat during pregnancy , it will have to be cooked thoroughly. This pathology can also be transmitted by cats, fruits or vegetables through soil residues.
Listeriosis will be linked to a bacterium, usually present in cheese and meat. When the mother swallows this bacteria, it could be transmitted to the baby. The signs of illness appear to be a fever that will usually go undetected. The dangers are spontaneous abortion, meningitis or bacterial infection in the baby. To protect yourself from listeriosis, take dairy products made from pasteurized products, cook meat thoroughly and you should not eat raw seafood or shellfish.
What are the precautions to take before eating pork when pregnant?
After touching risky foods, you have to wash your hands, do not rub your eyes and rinse your kitchen utensils thoroughly. Separate raw, cooked and ready-to-eat foods well in your fridge. Leftover dishes will need to be warmed up thoroughly.
The only main instruction will be to cook the meat thoroughly before eating it, do not eat liver, raw, smoked or dried meat. So you find out why you can eat pork pregnant.
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What are the nutrient intakes when you eat pork when you are pregnant?
Meat will give you mainly protein and iron. It seems essential during pregnancy. You will indeed benefit from eating meat twice a week, so eating pork when pregnant will be beneficial for your iron intake.
For vegans or vegetarians, consider consuming different foods to bring this iron, such as vegetables, starchy foods such as lentils, fish, aromatic herbs. The precautions are going to be the same, wash fruits and vegetables well before eating them. Do not eat raw fish.
If you would like more information about food during pregnancy, click on the link below: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/healthy-pregnancy-diet/
Conclusion
Eating pork while pregnant will not be prohibited, but make sure the meat is very well cooked.
