Pregnant women are usually very concerned about the foods they should eat and want to gather information about it. There have always been different views about these dos and don’ts during pregnancy. Meats and how to serve them are important topics in this period, and you will learn more about how to serve smoked and grilled meats, their benefits, and their harms.
Smoked ribs at a glance
One of the most popular ways to serve meat is to smoke it. Smoking is the way that the meat is exposed to the smoke of any combustible material such as wood, coal, etc. This method is not only for meat even cheese and vegetables can be served with this method.
Is the smoked meat cooked?
Smoked meat has two types, cold and hot. Its hot type is heated along with smoking, and most kebabs are of this category. This type of meat is heated to such an extent that pathogens such as listeria are destroyed and it becomes safe for consumption during pregnancy. Of course, the most reliable and best way to know if the meat has reached the desired temperature or not is to use a food thermometer. Cold smoked meat is smoked at a lower temperature and usually retains its raw state and is even in danger of spoiling, so it should not be used during pregnancy. They usually prepare beef, pork, and turkey in a hot smoked form.
Is it Safe to consume smoked food during pregnancy?
One of the most obvious symptoms of pregnancy is the change in hormones. This change in hormones plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system and can disrupt it. This is even though the consumption of smoked foods during pregnancy sometimes leads to infectious diseases and complications such as stomach pain, fever, changes in stool, dehydration, and cases of severe infection, premature birth, and abortion.
Ribs
Ribs are a part of the animal body that contains a lot of meat. Lamb, pork, sheep, cow, and even goat, ostrich, crocodile, and buffalo ribs can be used. Ribs can be served grilled, smoked, baked, and boiled.
Is it OK to Eat smoked ribs during pregnancy?
As you all know, pregnancy is a sensitive period that women should be careful about their diet. Smoked meats often contain bacterial infections and parasites, so they should not have a place in a pregnant woman’s diet.
The study found that prenatal exposure to airborne PAHs and co-exposure to PAH-containing barbecued meat consumed during pregnancy were associated with lower birth weight, birth length, and head circumference. Therefore, it is advisable for pregnant women to limit their exposure to PAHs by avoiding or reducing the consumption of barbecued meat during pregnancy [1].
How long do smoked ribs last?
Smoked ribs can usually be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. But if you want to keep them longer, you can put them in a freezer bag and containers with a tight lid or in aluminum foil after they are fully cooked. The meat will last up to 3 hours without being refrigerated.
Risks of Eating smoked ribs during pregnancy
1. Infections:
Sometimes smoked meats and ribs contain infectious agents such as listeria. These infections will be very dangerous and fatal for the mother and fetus, and complications include stomach pain, headache, fever, nausea, muscle pain, dehydration, premature birth, and abortion.
2. Carcinogenesis due to the presence of some harmful substances:
To prepare grilled and smoked meat, wood must be burned along with oil, gas, etc., as a result, hydrocarbons are released, which is the cause of cancer. Burning meat fat, charcoal, and smoke also play a role in the carcinogenicity of consuming such meats.
3. The possibility of a child being born with an abnormal size:
Mothers who consume too much grilled or smoked meat are likely to have babies with low weight, short height, and small head size.
4. Toxoplasmosis:
Toxoplasmosis is a type of food poisoning caused by the presence of parasites in raw and undercooked meat and can lead to miscarriage and stillbirth.
5. The possibility of contracting a foodborne illness:
Meat that is undercooked or improperly prepared can lead to several different illnesses, including E. coli and Salmonella. Eating too much red meat has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
6. The possibility of contracting a parasite:
Eating raw or undercooked meat can lead to parasites being present in your digestive system which can cause illness and even death if not treated properly.
When grilling meat, be careful that sometimes the outside of the meat is grilled but the inside remains raw. It is very dangerous to consume this meat during pregnancy.
Can You Eat smoked breast meat, Like Montreal smoked meat, while pregnant?
Yes, pregnant women are allowed to consume Montreal smoked meat during pregnancy, but only when it is used hot. Placing the meat at a high temperature and steaming makes it safe to eat during this period. If the smoked meat is smoked at high heat, but it takes some time to consume it and it gets cold, it must be reheated before eating.
Smoked chicken, smoked duck, smoked ham, smoked turkey, smoked pork
Pastrami is considered a part of the beef breast. Of course, it can be prepared from turkey and chicken meat and completely steamed, so it is safe to use during pregnancy.
Yes, the pastrami is one of the delicatessen meats that should not be consumed cold because it may contain listeria contamination, so be sure to heat it before consuming it. There is no harm in a pastrami sandwich if the meat is hot. If you accidentally consume this type of meat, do not stress and control your symptoms.
Differences between barbecue and grilled meat
Barbecue meat is a type of meat that is cooked slowly over a long period of time and its temperature is not high, but grilled meat is placed on charcoal and wood at a high temperature and in a very short time, such as sausages, hamburgers, and steaks. In many parts of the world, both the process of grilling and barbecuing is called grilling, although these two are different. It is not forbidden for pregnant women to consume barbecue meat if it is cooked slowly. Pork chops, brisket, racks of ribs, whole ham or knuckles, and shoulders or legs are like hot smoked meats, they have a smoky flavor, and they are cooked slowly over charcoal and wood, over low heat and without direct flame.
Eating grilled meat is also safe for pregnant women if all parts of the meat have received enough heat, however, it is better to avoid eating grilled meat in late pregnancy. Studies have been conducted on the relationship between excessive eating of grilled meat in late pregnancy and low birth weight, short height, and abnormal head circumference.
When the meat or its products are in direct contact with the flame, due to the smoke and fat melting, a small amount of coal is formed on the outer surface of the meat. Therefore, pregnant women should observe moderation in the consumption of this type of meat, and at the end of pregnancy, completely avoid it.
Cook the meat in smaller pieces and for a longer time, also be careful not to burn the meat.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a special stage of a woman’s life. During this period, the condition of the body changes dramatically and becomes very vulnerable, so at this stage, you should be careful about the foods you consume. Meat is usually included in everyone’s diet. How to serve meat is very important. It is common to eat grilled and smoked meat, but it is better to avoid consuming this type of meat during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. Because it is not cooked, it usually contains pathogenic factors and endangers the health of the mother and fetus.
