There will be many occasions when you would be eating out during the course of your pregnancy. Eating out during pregnancy is not unsafe, as long as hygiene standards are met and the food is nourishing to the baby.
Hitting a restaurant is not a problem, however, remember that some things are not safe for consumption during pregnancy and may harm you and your baby.
Read below to gain an insight on which foods should be prohibited during pregnancy and which must be welcomed. This is followed by a few healthier eating options when you trouble your partner demanding junk food!
Choosing A Safe Restaurant During Pregnancy
Make your own choice whenever you can when it comes to choosing a restaurant to dine out. Choose a place that has good hygiene standards, and serves a variety of healthy dishes. The restaurant should also be able to carry out special requests – like skipping the mayo or thoroughly cooking the meat.
Do not opt for places that offer a limited choice and do not entertain special requests. The restaurant should also be well ventilated and not be a stuffy place. Also focus on the sanitation needs – you will take a break for sure. If you are travelling or are out for some work, pay attention to where and what you eat.
Keep A Watch On The Portion Sizes
This is an absolute must. However tempting that paneer tikka is, keep your portion sizes somewhat limited – there are good chances that you will end up suffering from heartburn and acidity.
Eating too much may as well lead to indigestion. Leave out when you feel full, and carry leftover for the next meal time. The best way would be to ask to be served half portions that will not put you in the pressure of finishing and overeating.
Safe Dining During Pregnancy
- Drinks.
- Sip on branded cold drink, if you must! Empty the content of can or bottle in a clean glass to make sure there are no ugly surprises!
- Order only branded mineral water!
- Decaffeinated coffee/tea/herbal tea: Caffeine intake should be limited to minimum (200 mg per day) to avoid digestive problems and harm to the baby.
- Stuffed parantha with your favorite stuffing of Paneer or coconut and jaggery, relish it!
- Enjoy the aromatic lamb biryani, chicken malai tikka and paneer tikka! Only make sure they are thoroughly cooked and don’t smell foul in anyway.
- Hog on salads from a known place that has no hygiene issues.
- Opt for whole grain breads and brown rice– far more healthy and low on fats.
- Nothing beats the soups – order a bowlful and relish it. However, avoid bisques and other cream soups unless they’re made with milk or yogurt instead of being laced with heavy cream and butter.
- Go South! Idli, appam, nariyal chutneys etc. not only taste delicious but aid digestion and are far more nutritious than chicken royale burger from Burger King!
- Paneer and Cheese: Consuming paneer and cheese is safe during pregnancy- as long as the paneer is hygienic and the cheese that is not mould-ripened or blue veined, such as brie or stilton.
What To Avoid When Eating Out During Pregnancy?
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- Street food: As you pass those street chaat corners ,the aroma surely brings water to the mouth, but beware! It’s nor hygienic nor healthy. Being pregnant puts you on a high risk of infection, so steer yourself clear from street food.
- The puris are deep fried, you cannot be sure how the aloo masala has been prepared (recently, photos of chaat walas standing on boiled potatoes to knead them has been going viral).
- The water may not be clean and carry bacteria causing diarrhoea, dysentery and typhoid.
- Dahi Bhalle and papdi chaat would appeal your senses, but the curd could be contaminated. So either have them cooked well but without the curd or chutneys or with a dash of tomato sauce.
- Avoid food topped with raw food such as pav bhaji with finely sliced onions and pre-cut lemons.
- Mono sodium glutamate (MSG): The Chinese takeaways use MSG (Mono Sodium Glutamate) or ajinomoto to enhance flavor. Cheap oil and food colors are also used sometimes which are not good for anybody’s health. Ajinomoto is known to cause headaches and allergies and is best avoided during pregnancy. Being high in sodium, it can also cause water retention. If buying packaged foods, do check the labels for MSG content.
- Raw Ingredients: Say no to Sushi, soft boiled eggs and mayonnaise for those nine months as raw ingredients may contain bacteria and cause diseases.
- Prawns, mussels, salami, mackerel or crab whatever you wish to have, make sure its completely cooked and fresh. However, exercise caution on intake.
- The creamy and silky mousse and feather-light soufflé can be skipped as it may contain raw eggs.
- Uncooked meat of any kind is to be avoided Make sure that kebabs, tikkas and chops should be thoroughly cooked. You must insist that you want it done well!
- Ditch alcohol! An occasional glass of wine is considered safe but there has been no proven study on the subject. It is best to go alcohol free during your pregnancy. Remember alcohol may affect the growth of your baby so decide yourself.
- Street Drinks: Nimbu Pani, sugarcane juice, aam panna – they are utmost enticing but are made from raw ingredients and therefore should be avoided.
- Spicy food: Leads to stomach upset, heartburns and acidity. Best avoided.
- Excessive fatty food: Do not pave way for obesity in your baby. Eat healthy live healthy!
- Excessive sugary food: Sugary and sweet foods are loaded with calories and are processed. Chuck those canned juices and motichoor laddoos!
- Masala Teas: Avoid Masala tea as it is loaded with spices which may increase your body temperature.
- Herbal Teas: Opt for ginger tea, cardamom tea or cafe latte instead!
Healthy Options To Opt For When Eating Out
- Raw or uncooked eggs can cause food poisoning. Go egg less when eating out. Order egg less cakes, pastry or pies! Infact, when it comes to deserts, try Indian.
- Instead of mozzarella, opt for cheddar cheese or simple processed cheese. They are ;ess fatty as well as good source of calcium.
- Try baked options. They taste well and come in varieties.
- Try a glass of freshly squeezed juice from a hygienic place.
- Coconut water may be a better option. This natural water provides essential minerals to body and cools down as well.
- Order brown rice than white polished rice which has been stripped off its nutrients.
- Opt for multigrain breads for breakfast and sandwiches.
- For junk cravings try Maggi Oat noodles or Saffola Masala oats – they are enriched with goodness of oats and contain minimum maida.
- Try packaged Greek Yogurt with fruit compotes and flavoured yogurts instead of deep fried gulab jamuns and rich brownies.
- Lassi, chaach etc cal soothe and relax your cravings and are tummy filling as well.
It is always wise to carry fruits such as apple, banana or orange, in case there is no dining joint nearby! Also frequent meals will limit the food intake you have outside. As you bask in the glory of untimely hunger pangs and unexpected food cravings, your family might be ready to satisfy your food urges in another instant.
- Street food: As you pass those street chaat corners ,the aroma surely brings water to the mouth, but beware! It’s nor hygienic nor healthy. Being pregnant puts you on a high risk of infection, so steer yourself clear from street food.
- With decreasing number of joint families and people migrating abroad, we not only miss the moral support of our elders but their valuable guidance particularly during pregnancy is also lost.During those months, it’s advisable to eat safe, healthy, home-cooked food.
- If possible, carry your own food around. Otherwise, you can always try the healthier options outlined above! Rest well, have frequent small meals and drink plenty of water. This will keep you fuelled and dream about the new family member!
