You should also eat enough fruits and vegetables during pregnancy. Always maintain good hygiene. Washing, peeling, and heating them properly is recommended.
Can I eat raw vegetables?
Vegetables and herbs can have soil on the surface. Soil can contain various microscopic organisms such as those that can cause toxoplasmosis. With strict adherence to hygiene measures, raw vegetables may certainly be used. Always wash raw vegetables very well and dry them with a clean towel or peel the vegetables. Those who eat outside are better off choosing prepared vegetables unless you are sure they have been thoroughly washed or are immune to toxoplasmosis.
Can I eat nitrate-rich vegetables?
Nitrate-rich vegetables (endive, celery, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, purslane, turnip greens, beet, lettuce, spinach, pointed cabbage and fennel) have long been considered potentially harmful to health. In the body, nitrate can be converted into nitrite and then into potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines. EFSA concludes on the basis of a thorough risk analysis that the likelihood is very doubtful that a high intake of nitrate via, among others, nitrate-rich vegetables gives rise to a higher health risk. There is therefore no reason to advise pregnant women not to eat nitrate-rich vegetables. As a precaution, it is advisable not to combine nitrate-rich vegetables with fish and seafood to prevent the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines.
Can I eat sprouts?
As a precaution, it is better to always heat sprouts before eating them. On sprouts such as bean sprouts, cress or alfalfa, pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli may be present. These bacteria are killed by heat. In addition, keep in mind the other food safety measures such as washing well, storing in the refrigerator and respecting the expiration date.
Can I eat all fruit?
Fruit can be contaminated on the surface by soil containing microscopic organisms. These parasites can cause toxoplasmosis. Especially fruits that grow in or close to the earth (strawberries, raspberries, berries) deserve extra attention. Always wash fruit thoroughly and dry with a clean towel. If possible, peeling fruit is recommended. Cooking fruit kills bacteria but freezing it does not. These precautions apply only to women who are not immune to toxoplasmosis.