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Yes, you can enjoy your favourite street and restaurant foods during pregnancy. But you have to choose wisely and take a few precautions so it doesn't negatively affect your body and your baby's growth. When pregnant, you need to eat freshly cooked food. When ordering food, avoid raw, undercooked, or improperly stored foods. Avoid foods that have sat out for a long time and have been reheated multiple times.
Why Outside Foods Are Risky During Pregnancy
Though it's safe to eat takeouts once or twice a month during pregnancy, you must understand the risks associated with it. Unlike home-cooked foods, restaurants and street cooks don't handle ingredients well; you don't know whether the ingredients are fresh, properly washed, or how long the food has been sitting before delivery. If you are not safe with this, you increase the risk of foodborne infections.
- Listeria Monocytogenes: It's a bacterium that thrives in refrigerated foods like deli meats, cheeses, and cold salads. Listeria can cross the placenta and increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal infection.
- Salmonella: it is found in uncooked chicken, eggs, or sprouts. Salmonella triggers vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration in pregnancy. Though it doesn't cross the placenta, dehydration and fever can affect pregnancy.
- E. coli: it is often found in undercooked meat, contaminated vegetables, and poorly hygienic food. It can cause severe belly cramps, bloody diarrhoea and dehydration.
- Toxoplasma: it is a parasite found in undercooked vegetables and meat. It's very dangerous during pregnancy and can cause brain and eye damage to the growing baby.
Risk Factors with Takeout
- Improper Food Storage: Takeout foods are often left at room temperature for long hours, cooked early, or stored at the wrong temperature. Storing in cold storage for long periods increases the risk of bacterial growth, which can cause unwanted pregnancy complications.
- Cross-Contamination: When raw and cooked food are stored together or handled with the same utensils without cleaning, contamination can increase.
- Reheated Foods: Pregnant women should eat freshly cooked warm foods. Reheating the food multiple times increases the risk and kills the remaining goodness.
- Poor Hygiene: Street and restaurant kitchens are busy all the time, and some cooks don't mind washing their hands or cleaning the cooking areas in a rush. This can increase contamination risk.
Safe Guide to Outside Food During Pregnancy
Restaurant
When ordering food from outside, choose a reliable restaurant. Choose restaurants that prioritise hygiene and cleanliness and provide high-quality food. Use food apps and social media to read reviews. Also, picking a famous restaurant ensures the food is served fresh, as they are moving fast and don't let it sit longer.Look for restaurants with open kitchens and visible counters so you can see them at work as they make your food. This ensures they follow hygiene practices and prepare food safely.
Timing
Always order something that is freshly prepared. Ordering during peak hours ensures they are fresh and warm. Avoid ordering post rush hours to avoid any risks. Ordering during post-rush or slow hours may result in reheated, unhygienic food. Freshly made food is safer than old food, especially when you order from outside during pregnancy.Packing and Delivery
Even if the food is made with freshly sourced ingredients and made hygienically, packing and transition standards may have issues. Ensure the should arrives in properly sealed packaging and use clean, leak-free containers. Don't accept open packaging to avoid any risk of contamination.Ensure that hot foods are hot and not warm. If the food feels warm, it indicates long transit hours or storage, which increases bacteria. Don't accept leaking containers.
Safe Cuisine
Always purchase foods that are made in a home-style. Foods like dal, roti, sabzi, or simple curries are often the safest to order, rather than more complicated items. These dishes are typically cooked at high temperatures, so there is no risk of bacterial growth.If you crave soups and broths, instead of ordering in, go to the place yourself to get them hot. Also, make sure no raw toppings are added. Drinking hot soups is hydrating and easy to digest during pregnancy.
Safe Proteins
Instead of getting unhealthy or empty-calorie foods, order foods that are high in protein and other essential nutrients. Grilled chicken, fully cooked eggs, and panner are some great options to order. Also, pick lentils, beans, and chickpeas that are cooked well and served hot. They are rich in iron, protein, and fibre.Safe Vegan Options
If you are a vegan, choose restaurants that serve freshly cooked food and source ingredients organically. Stir-fried, steamed, or pressure-cooked foods are good to go. Don't eat raw vegetables like onions, carrots, or cucumbers and avoid fresh chutneys and salads.Foods to Avoid
When ordering from outside, make sure you are picking the right food. The foods mentioned below are risky and may carry contamination.
- Raw Eggs: Don't get runny yolks or soft-cooked eggs, as they can harbour Salmonella and E. coli.
- Diary Products: Soft cheese and desserts may contain Listeria because the ingredients are stored in cold storage for long periods.
- Cold Salads: Even if they look tempting and fresh, raw foods are not recommended during pregnancy because they can carry toxins and bacteria.
- Sushi: Raw fish and raw vegetables used in sushi are not the best to consume during pregnancy.
- Medium-cooked Meats: Undercooked beef, lamb, or poultry can contain Toxoplasma and E. coli.
Having outside food during pregnancy is safe as long as you choose the right restaurant, order at the right time, and avoid certain unhealthy dishes. If you are reheating the food, make sure it is steaming hot and not just warm on the surface. Reheat the food only once. Even if you can finish the food, it's better to discard it rather than eat leftovers during pregnancy. Don't rely on outside food more during pregnancy. It's fine to eat once or twice a month. It's important to eat freshly made home-cooked foods for better health and baby growth.
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FAQs on Street Food Lover? Your Guide to Safe Outside Food During Pregnancy
- Is pani puri safe during pregnancy?
Pani Puri is safe during pregnancy if you can make it at home. When you make it at home, you can use fresh ingredients, less spice, and clean water. But street pani puris may not be safe and may contain contamination due to unhygienic processes. Consuming pani puri from street vendors may cause food poisoning Nd acidity issues. - Is a samosa safe in pregnancy?
Samosa is safe to enjoy occasionally during pregnancy. Since it is made with potato, refined flour, and deep fried, it can be hard to digest and cause acidity during pregnancy. Instead of purchasing from outside, you can make it at home with whole wheat flour, properly cooked filling, and use minimal oil to fry or air fry for healthier options.