Why Can’T You Eat Chinese Food While Pregnant?
Monosodium glutamate, most commonly referred to by its abbreviation MSG, is a flavor enhancer that is used in savory dishes; nevertheless, over the years, its reputation has become fairly, well, unsavory. The widespread notion that monosodium glutamate (MSG) is linked to health problems such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and possibly cancer has led many individuals to avoid eating foods containing MSG.
(Just so you know, the reputation of Chinese cuisine is not the best. It may be the most well-known dish to frequently include additional MSG, but it is by no means unique, and it does not always contain MSG all of the time. Consuming MSG can give you extra pause if you’re expecting a child at this point in your life.
On the other hand, we are here to correct the record: Consuming MSG is not only safe to do during pregnancy but also at other periods of one’s life for the great majority of people. The following is information that is necessary for you to know regarding this tasty food compound and your nine months of pregnancy.
Is it safe to eat Chinese food during pregnancy?
The New South Wales Food Authority is a statutory government institution that helps guarantee the food is safe and accurately labeled. This guide to authentic Chinese cuisine is brought to you by the NSW Food Authority. The group has made a list of certain foods that should never be consumed by a pregnant woman and included them on the list.
They have also labeled certain foods as ones that should be consumed with extreme caution while simultaneously giving the all-clear to a large number of other items. These foods have a greater risk of harboring potentially fatal germs such as listeria or salmonella, which is one of the primary reasons why they are on the prohibited list.
The table that follows provides a list of a few Chinese components that, in accordance with the safety recommendations in NSW, are best avoided, should be handled with caution, and may be consumed safely during pregnancy. (5)
| Don’t Eat | Eat With Caution | Okay To Eat |
| Ham, salami and chicken (If cooked at 750 degree Celsius or more, you may eat)Any raw meat or other under cooked forms of poultry Refrigerated pate, meat spreads and sea food Store bought sushi Most forms of cheese ( not to be had unless cooked at 75 degrees or more)Fried ice cream, mayonnaise, pancake batter Prepared or prepacked salads, alfalfa sprouts, sunflower sprouts, soybean sprouts etc. | Take away chicken ( Ensure the leftovers are reheated to at least 60 degrees and had within the same day of preparation)Soft cheese, refrigerated should be had within two days of opening the pack Store bought custard Always eat leftovers stored in the refrigerator and eat within a day or two after reheating to at least 60 degree Celsius | Home cooked chicken, eaten on the same day of preparation. Home made sushi with fresh meatTofu, soy yogurt etc. after checking the use by date labels. Follow storage instructions |
It is not uncommon to get cravings for a wide variety of foods throughout pregnancy; as a result, you can find yourself curious about Chinese cuisine at some point during your pregnancy. Due to the high levels of salt, sugar, and spice found in Chinese cuisine, as well as the use of substances like Ajinomoto and monosodium glutamate, it is advised to steer clear of this cuisine if possible.
Your unborn child may experience difficulties connected to pregnancy if these components are present. If, on the other hand, you just cannot refrain from eating Chinese food when you are pregnant, you should consider alternatives that are less risky and, if possible, cook them at home so they may be tailored to your own tastes in terms of flavor.
Have you found this article to be helpful? The content of the next two tabs will change as you scroll down. Author of Reviews Reviewer Ria, a former technologist who is now pursuing a career as a writer, focuses mostly on writing articles on health and nutrition. She received her Bachelor of Technology degree from West Bengal University of Technology and has worked in the past as a SAP ABAP technical consultant for IBM.
In 2013, she began working as a freelance content writer and has since contributed to a variety of websites, including MomJunction, Brainpulse Technologies, and Emarketz India, among others. Nutri4Verve’s Chief Nutritionist and Co-Founder, Shivani Sikri, is also one of the company’s founders. Shivani Sikri went on to get a postgraduate degree in nutrition and health education, a postgraduate diploma in public health and nutrition (PGDPHN), and a postgraduate diploma in nutrition and clinical dietetics after finishing her Master’s degree.
In addition to that, she has earned her certification in Nutrigenomics from the United States. A lifestyle that is both well-balanced and holistic is something that Shivani promotes. more
Is it safe to eat undercooked chicken during pregnancy?
Steer clear of meat, poultry, and eggs that are undercooked. You are at a greater risk of contracting bacterial food poisoning when you are pregnant. It’s possible that your response will be more severe than it would be if you weren’t pregnant. Sometimes the infant will become sick from the food poisoning as well. To protect against diseases that are caused by food:
- Before eating, be sure that the meat and poultry has been well cooked. For absolute certainty, use a meat thermometer.
- Either prepare luncheon meats and hot dogs to the point where they are scalding hot, or don’t eat them at all. They have the potential to be carriers of a listeria infection, which is an uncommon but potentially dangerous foodborne disease.
- Steer clear of pates and meat spreads that have been chilled. On the other hand, canned and shelf-stable varieties are OK.
- Eggs should be cooked until both the yolks and the whites are set. Eggs that have not been cooked may have germs that are hazardous to humans. Eggnog, uncooked batter, newly manufactured or handmade hollandaise sauce, and Caesar salad dressing are all examples of foods that you should steer clear of since they include raw or partly cooked eggs.
What should I avoid during pregnancy if I have food poisoning?
Steer clear of meat, poultry, and eggs that are undercooked. You are at a greater risk of contracting bacterial food poisoning when you are pregnant. It’s possible that your response will be more severe than it would be if you weren’t pregnant. Sometimes the infant will become sick from the food poisoning as well. To protect against diseases that are caused by food:
- Before eating, be sure that the meat and poultry has been well cooked. For absolute certainty, use a meat thermometer.
- Either prepare luncheon meats and hot dogs to the point where they are scalding hot, or don’t eat them at all. They have the potential to be carriers of a listeria infection, which is an uncommon but potentially dangerous foodborne disease.
- Steer clear of pates and meat spreads that have been chilled. On the other hand, canned and shelf-stable varieties are OK.
- Eggs should be cooked until both the yolks and the whites are set. Eggs that have not been cooked may have germs that are hazardous to humans. Eggnog, uncooked batter, newly manufactured or handmade hollandaise sauce, and Caesar salad dressing are all examples of foods that you should steer clear of since they include raw or partly cooked eggs.