During pregnancy there are many myths about the pregnant woman's diet. Although the norm is a Mediterranean diet and eating wisely, it is important to maintain certain precautions.
There are a number of foodborne infections that we can contract during our lives and not even realize we have been sick, because the symptoms are banal, similar to a common cold. The problem is thatSome of these diseases can affect the baby that is forming in our uterus. Let's try to clarify any doubts and myths about it.
Toxoplasmosis
It is a disease caused by a protozoan, the toxoplasma gondii. It is suffered by various mammals, birds and reptiles and can be spread to humans by contact with affected animals, especially cats, or by consuming contaminated meat or vegetables.
Its contagion during pregnancy can cause malformations in the baby.
Precautions:
- Not having contact with cats (mainly with their feces)
- Do not eat undercooked or raw meats
- Wash fruits and vegetables very well before eating them
- Wear gloves for any gardening task
Myths:
- You can not have sausage: It is only forbidden to eat it if it is raw or semi-raw, like any meat, if it is well cooked or well cooked if it can be eaten.
- If you freeze it, you can take it raw: Home freezing does not ensure the destruction of the protozoan.
It is difficult to reach and maintain the proper temperature to destroy the protozoan in home freezers. - If it is from Jabugo you can eat the ham: The investigations are not conclusive and there are as many defenders as detractors of its use in pregnancy, I would say that you better leave it for later.
- Salads and bagged vegetables should not be washed: packaged vegetables and salads have not always been washed as scrupulously as necessary to eliminate toxoplasma. Better to wash them.
- Contact with dogs transmits toxoplasmosis: Only the cat transmits it by contact. They are the only animal species that once infected eliminates toxoplasma and does so through feces. The other animals, on the other hand, keep it in their body, that is why they can only infect if their meat is eaten without having been properly cooked.
Listeria
It is an infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium is very resistant and capable of surviving in very adverse conditions. Fortunately, its contagion to humans is quite rare.
In the case of suffering the infection during pregnancy, it can affect the baby, causing malformations or neurological injuries.
This bacteria is found in water and soil. Vegetables can become contaminated with soil or manure used as fertilizer. Animals can carry the bacteria without having any symptoms and thus contaminate their meat or dairy products.
It is also possible for food to become contaminated after processing. Unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made with this type of milk, such as cheeses, can contain the bacteria.
Precautions
Listeria is destroyed during pasteurization and cooking.
The precautions to avoid contagion are similar to those recommended to avoid toxoplasmosis or to avoid food tox infections. It is also very important not to consume milk or dairy products that are not made with pasteurized milk.
Always check the dairy labels, if it does not specify that it has undergone a pasteurization process, it is better not to consume them.
Myth:
Only soft cheeses can transmit listeria: not true, Any dairy made from milk that has not been pasteurized can transmit it.
Anisakis
Anisakis is a parasite found in the digestive system of fish.
If, after catching the fish, they are not immediately eviscerated, the parasite leaves the digestive system and contaminates the fish meat. When a person eats contaminated fish they suffer an infection similar to gastroenteritis. Precautions are common to the entire population
The parasite dies by freezing at -20ºC and also if we subject it to more than 60ºC.
Precautions
- Do not take salted, smoked, pickled, marinated, carpaccio or ceviche, if it has not been prepared with previously frozen fish.
- Cook over 60º for at least 2 minutes (grilled is usually insufficient).
- Freeze at -20º for at least 72 h. Deep-frozen fish is recommended because it is gutted early in the high seas and the probability that the parasite will survive is lower.
Myth:
- Fish spread toxoplasmosis: Fish can transmit anisakis and well elaborated we can eliminate the problem.
- We cannot eat swordfish or tuna: Large fish accumulate too much mercury in their meat. For this reason it is recommended to reduce its consumption and consume more fish of smaller size.
For more peace of mind you can consult the brochure with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, Social Affairs and Equality.