Can you eat gyoza when pregnant?
In this article we are going to answer the questions: can you eat gyoza when pregnant, what is gyoza, what are the risks of eating gyoza when pregnant, is gyoza healthy, and how are they cooked?
Can you eat gyoza when pregnant?
It depends on the ingredients of the gyoza or potsticker. They can be made with beef, chicken, prawns, fish, pork, and mutton. The meat needs to be fully cooked to prevent any food poisoning. Also, if they are fried, do not eat too much because fried food has too much fat.
What is gyoza?
Gyoza is a traditional Chinese dumpling, you can also find them as potstickers. They are very popular in East Asia. Traditionally, they are made from thinly rolled dough filled with different kinds of meat. They are very similar to Japanese dumplings.
They can be made from beef, chicken, prawns, fish, pork, mutton, or vegetables. They later can be boiled, steamed, or fried. They are served hot with black vinegar and sesame oil or in a soup.
Is gyoza healthy when pregnant?
It is considered a healthy food but it all depends on the cooking method and the ingredients you use. Remember, all meats should be fully cooked and it is preferred to be boiled or steamed.
Fried food can add too many calories to your diet. When pregnant you need to watch you gain weight because too much weight gain can lead to health issues for mom and baby.
In general, when pregnant you should follow a healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. A few nutrients need special attention during pregnancy, like folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids.
- Ideally, 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables every day
- Increase your intake of whole grains and cereal foods. Choose high fiber options
- Milk, hard cheese, and yogurt are great options because they are high calcium foods.
- Choose low-fat options and good fats: fats from vegetable sources like almonds, olive oil, and avocado.
- Choose lean proteins and choose low mercury fish options.
- Drink plenty of water
- Always stay active
Weight gain should be closely monitored because the mother and baby’s health depends on it.
What is the risk of eating gyoza when pregnant?
The principal risk is that it may be undercooked. Although nowadays it’s very difficult to catch an infection, you should never eat raw or undercooked meat (fish, beef, poultry, or any meat) when pregnant. The three main diseases you can contract are toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and listeriosis.
Listeria monocytogenes are the main bacteria that can be found in undercooked meat. It causes listeriosis. If you let the bacteria go too far, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and other health problems.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, approximately 2,5000 people will get infected with listeria every year. It means that it’s very rare to get infected but pregnant women are in a more delicate condition and need to be a little more careful because it could lead to fatal health conditions.
Toxoplasma Gondii is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. For a normal, healthy person, it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms but for pregnant women, it’s too risky, it can cause serious health problems. One important thing to add is that once you contract toxoplasmosis you can’t contract it again.
Salmonella is a bacteria that can be very dangerous in pregnant women. It also causes digestive symptoms like the other pathogens listed above. One important thing about salmonella is that it can cause bacteremia, a condition where there is bacteria in the blood and can be fatal to pregnant women.
So why are pregnant women more likely to get infected? Because their immune system is compromised and does not work as well as for a healthy person. Also, remember that while the baby is not fully developed, the baby it’s at risk too because it can lead to miscarriage.
Can I add soy sauce to gyoza when pregnant?
Yes, you can but always with moderation. If you are experiencing high blood pressure or any symptom of preeclampsia you better not add it. Soy sauce has too much sodium. If you eat too much sodium you can worsen your symptoms of high blood pressure and preeclampsia and affect the baby and mother’s health.
How can gyoza be cooked?
Steam-fry or potsticker technique is the classic method for Chinese gyoza. Normally, you fry the frozen dumplings, add water to the pan and let them steam. Then, fry them again once the water evaporates.
Here is a recipe for Chinese Potstickers!
Other FAQs about Dumplings that you may be interested in.
Can you cook gyoza in the oven
Can you cook gyoza in the microwave
Conclusion
This article answered the questions: can you eat gyoza when pregnant, what is gyoza, are the risks of eating gyoza when pregnant, is gyoza healthy, and how are they cooked?
