Chinese foods tend to contain high levels of sodium that can cause bloating and swelling, while some also contain MSG which is harmful for pregnant women and their unborn babies.
Once pregnant women understand and abide by some basic rules – such as avoiding raw meats and fish and restricting sodium consumption – most Chinese cuisine can safely be enjoyed during their gestation period.
Fried rice and spring rolls
Addition of Chinese cuisine is safe during pregnancy if it consists of cooked dishes rather than anything containing raw meat (sorry beef carpaccio lovers!). Unfortunately, some ingredients found in Chinese food contain high levels of sodium that could make you bloat, which could have adverse effects on both you and your growing baby.
Mushrooms are a staple ingredient in Chinese dishes, providing pregnant women with essential nutrients like vitamin D and iron. Plus, mushrooms add an irresistibly delicious umami flavor that really rounds off soups and stir-fries!
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), however, may be excitotoxic for pregnant women and therefore should be limited as much as possible during gestation. Therefore, try to limit your consumption of MSG-rich foods.
Soya sauce
Soy sauce is an integral component of Chinese cuisine and pregnant women can safely consume it provided it is made at home or consumed from restaurants adhering to food safety guidelines. Pregnant women should avoid any dishes containing raw or under-cooked meat, eggs or seafood products as these may pose risks during gestation.
However, if you have an appetite for Chinese meals that require soy sauce, it’s wise to opt for one without MSG, an additive known to cause problems for pregnant mothers. Also remember that many Chinese foods contain high levels of sodium that could potentially cause bloating during gestation.
If MSG concerns are your priority, try switching up your soy sauce consumption with dark soy sauce – which has lower sodium concentration and does not contain gluten; pregnant women especially should seek out this type of soy sauce as an alternative option. Also consider Tamari; another Asian cooking ingredient with similar flavors to soy sauce without MSG content.
Sesame seeds
Pregnancy can be an exciting and life-altering journey, yet can also be stressful when it comes to eating habits. Many of the foods we love may not be good for our unborn babies’ wellbeing or could pose potential threats during gestation.
One of the key factors when ordering Chinese food is whether or not it contains monosodium glutamate (MSG). While our bodies naturally produce glutamate, MSG acts as a flavor enhancer and could potentially harm pregnant women.
Savoury sesame seeds provide not only delicious bites, but are an outstanding source of protein, iron, copper zinc and lignans that all support healthy pregnancy. Low in carbohydrates with their healthy fat content keeping blood glucose stable during gestation. Sesame seeds should be stored in an airtight container away from heat and light to preserve their nutritional benefits – otherwise their nutrients degrade quickly! One tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds provides approximately 190 Calories.
Mushrooms
Many pregnant women are advised not to eat certain foods due to potential danger for both themselves and their unborn baby. Chinese food, which often contains high levels of sodium that could potentially lead to bloating, nausea and preeclampsia is one such food which should be avoided, while MSG could pose additional health issues during gestation.
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Even so, mushrooms should still be consumed by pregnant women as they provide many essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin D and potassium. Mushrooms are low in calories and fat while being an excellent source of chitin (an indigestible carbohydrate that adds bulk) as well as selenium which aids immune defense against infection. It is best to opt for organic mushrooms due to reduced levels of pesticides present; mushrooms are easy to prepare in many dishes!