Winter's most beloved food is hot pot, with family and friends gathered around. But how can pregnant women eat hot pot healthily during the winter? Follow our editor to find out!
Why should pregnant women eat less hot pot?
1. The Broth
As we all know, pregnant women should try to keep their diet as light as possible. However, hot pot broths are often heavily seasoned, and some are even made with medicinal herbs, which are not suitable for mothers with special constitutions.
On the other hand, repeatedly boiling the broth can cause the nitrite content to become very high. Nitrites are converted into nitrosamines in our bodies. Nitrosamines are potent carcinogens, recognized worldwide as such, which can induce stomach and intestinal cancer, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Their toxicity can also be passed to the fetus through the placenta.
2. Meat
Many people prefer their meat fresh and tender when eating hot pot, believing that beef or mutton slices can be eaten as soon as they change color, as cooking them for too long makes them tough. However, if the meat slices are not thoroughly cooked, it can lead to Toxoplasma gondii entering the body, thereby harming the fetus.
After infection, the mother may only experience flu-like symptoms, but for the baby, Toxoplasma gondii can attack the brain, leading to anencephaly or encephalocele. More severe cases can result in a stillbirth or miscarriage.
Additionally, meat slices contain a lot of fat. If consumed in excess, it can easily lead to weight gain for the mother. Furthermore, the hot pot broth is high in purines, which can harm the body and overwork the mother's kidneys.
3. Mixed Foods
When we eat hot pot, we often throw all kinds of food into the pot at once, whether raw, cooked, meat, or vegetables. This makes it easy to lose track of what's in the pot. Vegetables cook quickly, while meats take longer. If we keep adding food while eating, there's a high chance of consuming undercooked food, which can cause intestinal parasitic diseases.
Pregnant women can eat hot pot safely
As the saying goes, "For every problem, there's a solution." Foodie moms have many ways to deal with these issues, so you can indulge without worry!
1. The Broth
When you can, choose a clear broth instead of a meat-based or spicy one. Opt for individual hot pots instead of a large one shared with everyone. A small individual pot also solves the problem of repeatedly boiling the broth; just change it when needed. If you don't have a small pot, try to eat for a shorter period!
2. Meat
Forget about tenderness for the sake of safety. It's recommended to cook the meat for a longer time to ensure it's fully cooked before eating. Also, use high heat to keep the broth boiling at all times. This will make the food cook faster and kill harmful bacteria and parasites.
3. Use an Extra Pair of Chopsticks
When putting food in the pot, many people tend to pick up a piece of raw meat with their chopsticks and then use the same chopsticks to pick up other food to eat. This can transfer bacteria from the raw meat directly to your mouth.
Therefore, it's very important to have an extra pair of chopsticks, specifically for handling raw food. This prevents bacteria and parasites from getting into your body and harming the baby and your digestive system.
4. Control Eating Time
Although hot pot is delicious, don't overindulge. If you eat with friends for several hours, it not only gives your digestive system no rest, potentially causing inflammation and discomfort, but also doesn't provide a good environment for the baby to grow. Furthermore, the longer the broth simmers, the fewer nutrients it has, and the nitrite content increases, which is detrimental to the fetus.
5. Eat More Vegetables
When eating hot pot, don't just focus on the meat. Eating more vegetables can help cut through the grease in your stomach, reduce internal heat, and provide vitamins. But don't cook them for too long, or you'll destroy their nutritional value.
6. Choose Your Drinks Wisely
Before your meal, you can drink some fruit juice to moisten your stomach, aid digestion, and help your body absorb nutrients. However, mothers with high blood sugar should still be cautious. Vegetable juice, yogurt, and coconut milk are also good choices. As for carbonated drinks, it's best to avoid them!