Can you eat meat during pregnancy?

Pregnant women should be very conscious of their eating habits and should ascertain that whatever they eat should contain vitamins, minerals, proteins, and a lot of fiber. Pregnant women can eat meat but the consumption of undercooked or ground meat could be harmful to the mother and the baby. We highly recommend that you consult your doctor before eating meat as he/she will be the best person to advise.

Risks associated with meat consumption during pregnancy

• If the meat is not properly cooked, it can cause toxoplasmosis which can be very harmful to the baby.
• Women who consume red meat during pregnancy are more prone to developing gestational diabetes which means that the sugar level in the blood will increase. This is extremely harmful to you and the baby.
• Non-smoked fish, raw shellfish and shark should be avoided at all costs when you are pregnant as these can cause food poisoning.

Tips to eat meat the right way

• You should first seek your doctor’s opinion before including anything in your diet.
• It is essential to always cook meat before consumption. Eating raw meat is not recommended for pregnant women.
• Always refrigerate your meat until you cook it. This will prevent the growth of bacteria in the meat.
• Meat should not be kept with other food items such as fruits, vegetables, and salads. It should be kept in isolation to prevent bacteria from transmitting to other food items.
• Always wash your hands before and after chopping meat.
• Smoked meat should not be consumed because it is more prone to bacterial contamination. This is also true for grilled or blackened meat.
• Grilling or frying the meat can cause serious diseases like cancer.
• It is advisable to consume only thoroughly cooked meat and that too, when it is cooked at home. In that case, you can be sure of it being fresh and properly cooked.