AngeB

I am being very responsible during my pregnancy and avoiding most of the things that I am told to stay clear of. But what I want to know is if there is anyone out there who is 'bending the rules' when it come to food? I really like a my steak rare - would it be so bad to have an undercooked steak? I buy all my meat from an organic farm and I know how and when it has been butchered. What harm can it possibly do? The same for seafood - if it is fresh from a trusted supplier and cooked well by me at home, what is the problem? The French and the Japanese are not advised to change their eating habits when pregnant and I am inclined to think we are over reacting in this country.I don't want to take risks, but I am interested to see what other people's experiences are - are you following the guidlines to the letter or are you sneaking in the odd slice of brie or piece of sushi? And what harm can this REALLY do to your baby?

Bump2dueApril

There is a few things that may be ok in small portions and on rare occasions but I would say rare steak is definitely a no-no. Personally I love rare steak too but if I had just one and there was any problem with my baby I would never forgive myself and it would be on your concience forever. For the sake of 9 months I don't think it is worth the risk even though it is very slight.

jellytot24

i think undercooked food like rare steak and things like brie is due to salmonella and bad food poisonings, were told not to eat runny eggs either but ive had a couple but not been stupid, if you live in uk your bounty pack may be able to give more advice and reasons too...i cant find mine at the mo lol

KB

It is only advice, not "rules" as such. Its an entirely individual decision, a judgement call, like anything else when it comes to parenting. I ate peanut butter throughout my pregnancy despite advice to the contrary, because I had a craving for it. My son is healthy and happy.

Smiley_1714

With my first baby I avoided everything they said too, but this time i have been a bit more relaxed. I had soft ice cream in the summer when I know u shouldnt in case the machine hasnt been cleaned properly and I had a prawn cocktail. But apart from that Ive been a good girl.I dont know why u cant have rare meat but I know with the sea food its because sea food can be a bit on the dodgy side at the best of times and its dangerous if u get salmonella or listeria when pregnant.But really its up to you if u want to take that risk or not, isnt it?

VeronicaAlicia

When food is properly cooked, salmonella is killed.The ban on soft cheeses is that in continental Europe the cheese is usually made with unpasteurised milk.If you are partial to Brie and want to play safe, investigate Somerset Brie and Camembert.The problem in the UK apart from cited cases of salmonella poisoning is the increasing American-style litigation. Everyone is now so cautious because the first thing an injured party asks is "How much can I get?" Companies go out of business because of the grab it all, and to H--l with the hindmost, society we have become.

helent

congratulations on your pregnancy hun!i`m a mum of 2 & the "rules" changed alot between my pregnancies. things i`d eaten druing my 1st pregnancy we`re on the bad list for my second.i was terribly anaemic during my 2nd pregnancy 7 my gp advised me to eat a raw staek (backed up by my mw) to help boost my iron levels. both said that on the odd occaision, from a reputable source, totally fresh (as in eat as close after slaughter as possible) & correctly stored/handled then it was fair.as for the sefood, you can eat it providing its from a reputable source & you don`t eat it every night because of the mercury levels.i think the best advice is to be cautious! as you say - keep it fresh from a reputable source. store it & handle it correctly, maintaining hygeine at all times. i was no where near as cautious with my 2nd child as i was with my first but i was still sensible.good luck with the rest of your pregnancy & enjoy your baby when he/she arrives

irish_jubjub

Most of the foods you are told not to eat (such as rare steaks) would have no direct affect on your baby but may increase the chance of you getting an illness or condition that could harm your baby. The chances of this are very very small (when was the last time you had salmonella?). Other advise is related to unproven theories, such as eating peanuts while pregnant being linked to peanut allergy in your baby. As I said these theories are unproven and even if they are true it would occur in very few cases. Saying all that I still think for you own peace of mind you should apply all the professional advise you are given or you could end up blaming yourself any problems that occur down the line. But if you've been naughty don't beat yourself up, there is very little chance of a specific food harming your child.

highroad2mizery

Undercooked meats run the risk of carrying bacterias that would normally be cooked off when cooked properly. (that is why they have all those nifty disclaimers on resteraunt menus about undercooked meat and eggs). This could potentially make you very sick, which isn't good for your baby. I would say a rare steak once in while isn't a bad thing, but don't eat one every day.As for seafood, the same thing with undercooked beef goes for undercooked seafood like sushi. And as for cooked seafood, fish can contain high levels of mercury, which can be very toxic to your baby.I bend the rules a tiny bit (I've been to red lobster while I'm pregnant and eaten a rare steak or two), but I don't make a habit of it. I would rather be safe than sorry. And it's only 9 months, after the baby is born, chow down on rare meat and sushi all you want.

LeahM

If you don't want to take risks then why are you thinking about it? The truth is, no matter how 'trusted' your butcher is, or how organic your meat is... there is no way these people can take away disease that can be accompanied by raw or undercooked seafood and meat, which can hurt your baby. Don't be so selfish.