Is it Safe to Eat Fast Food During Pregnancy?

It’s 2 a.m. and you had an urge to eat ice cream? Or, maybe pani puri? Well, you are not alone. Pregnancy and food cravings go hand in hand. Food cravings are acute desires for specific food at an unusual time that are mostly unrelated to hunger during pregnancy (1). The most common cravings pregnant women get is for fast foods. You may crave sweets like chocolate, cake, or ice cream, and also crave salty fast foods like samosa, chaat, pickles, or even unexpected combinations like ice-cream vada or chocolate pani puri. But, is it safe to eat fast food during pregnancy?

It’s natural to crave for oily, spicy, fast food while pregnant. These food desires could be your body’s way of begging for more tasty foods. However, it’s crucial to realize that cravings aren’t always reliable markers of dietary defects (2). While indulging these cravings is OK, it is important to prioritize a balanced diet rich in critical nutrients for the health of both you and your developing baby. Read on to find out if you can indulge in fast food during pregnancy.

Can You Eat Street or Fast Food During Pregnancy?

While tempting, street and fast foods are not the healthiest options during pregnancy (3). Although one can indulge in street and fast foods during pregnancy occasionally, and in small quantities. These foods are loaded with oil, salt, sugar, and spices which are not healthy for you or your baby (4). In addition, cleanliness concerns with street food might cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

It’s important to stick to home-cooked, wholesome meals during pregnancy. However, if you do indulge in street or fast food, avoid excessive sauces and make sure the place, you eat from, is clean.

Remember that moderation is vital, and do not eat fast food daily (5)!

Popular Fast Foods Which Women Crave During Pregnancy

Craving for street or fast foods during pregnancy is totally OKAY! But one should strive to manage it in a healthy way. Those salty snacks and sweet beverages may appear innocent, but they contain harmful ingredients (6). Let us explore further.

1. Maggi or Instant Noodles

Although a quick and easy option, Maggi and instant noodles are made from refined flour, providing little to no fiber and causing rapid blood sugar spikes. Homemade atta or millet noodles are free from any artificial flavors and preservatives having a better nutrient profile than store-bought noodles. Also remember, eating instant noodles during pregnancy cannot qualify as balanced food and cannot be a meal on its own. Indulging in Maggi during pregnancy, is OK, once in a while, but ensure you keep an eye on the quantity and the time you eat it (just before bedtime is not recommended).

2. Pani Puri And Other Chaat Items

Pani puri is a spicy and tangy street food. There is a lot of concern over the freshness of the spicy water, mashed potato masala, aloo tikki, sev, and tangy chutneys of pani puri and other chaat items. Overindulgence can cause stomach distress and acidity, and increase the risk of foodborne illnesses (7). So, if you want to eat pani puri during pregnancy, do go ahead, but eat from a clean, hygienic, and reputable vendor rather than a street seller.

3. Samosa

Samosa is a very popular street food in India. This deep-fried go-to snack is delicious, but it contains a lot of calories and unhealthy trans fats (8). If you want to eat samosa during pregnancy, have it once in a while, and that too homemade, if possible. Also, try to have samosa-chole chaat instead of consuming it alone to make it a balanced meal.

4. Ice Cream

“I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream”, one can gauge the popularity of ice cream from these song lyrics itself. A favorite with young and old alike, this icy sugary delight may contain unhealthy vegetable oils such as palm oil and a lot of sugar. These ingredients may not be completely safe for consumption during pregnancy. Read food labels to find out what food additives, such as emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial flavors, were used in making it (9). If you want to indulge, opt for real ice cream made with 100% dairy over frozen desserts. Also, if you find yourself craving for ice cream during pregnancy, indulge in it but keep track of the quantity.

5. Falooda

It is a delicious dessert, and consuming falooda during pregnancy is completely safe. But it does contains a lot of empty calories. Although made of ingredients simple like, vermicelli, milk, ice cream, sweet basil seeds etc. it may pose a danger to a pregnant woman if it contains artificial colors. These colors contain chemicals and anything which has chemicals, is a strict no-no for a pregnant woman. However, if you love falooda, and want to eat it no matter what, just avoid falooda with added artificial colors.

6. Sweets Like Jalebi, Gulab Jamun, etc.

Cravings for sweets like- jalebi, gulab jamun, laddoos, etc. is very common during pregnancy. Now, many of these Indian sweets, including jalebi and gulab jamun, are essentially deep-fried, and then soaked in sugar syrup. Most of them are made from refined flour or maida and are high in sugar. Eating gulab jamun or jalebi during pregnancy is fine, till the time you eat it moderation and that too once in a while (10). Or maybe, make your own sweets at home using healthy options like whole grain flour and millet or natural sweeteners like dates and honey.

7. Pizza

Pizza can be a great snack for a pregnant woman if it is made using a thin crust, plenty of vegetables, and lean proteins. The ingredients, size, sauce, and toppings all have an important role in limiting the calories, carbs, sodium, sugar, and fat from eating pizza while pregnant.

Craving mode turned ON for these tempting street foods, hmm? Consider preparing homemade versions of your favorite fast food items. Home-cooked versions often use healthier ingredients and cooking methods to satisfy your cravings in a healthy way.

Tips For Eating Outside Food

Hey mom to be, do you have a craving for great street food? Here are a few tips:

1. Choose cooked foods over raw ones. Avoid any unpasteurized dairy products. Avoid chutneys and toppings depending on when they are prepared and served
2. Hygiene is important. Make sure the cooking space and dining area of the street eatery are clean. Before you eat, wash your hands. Bring your own water
3. When eating Thai, Chinese, or Korean food, it is usually a good idea to ask the restaurant if they used raw papaya, MSG, or other ingredients. Checking food labels allows you to find hidden sugars, bad fats, and artificial additives
4. Exercise portion control. Enjoy your cravings in moderation, occasionally
5. Listen to your body, if something does not feel right, avoid it

Pregnancy food cravings are unique for every mom-to-be! Pregnant women’s food preferences reflect their changing bodies and nutritional needs, ranging from pungent pickles to cheesy pizzas, and spicy pani puri to sweet paneer jalebi (11). Understanding these cravings might help women make more informed decisions and have a healthier pregnancy. While eating fast food during pregnancy is fine, make sure you are ordering it from a hygienic vendor. Remember, your baby’s health depends on your choices!

FAQ’s

1. Is it Normal to Crave Junk Food While Pregnant?

It is normal to crave junk food while pregnant. Food cravings, on the other hand, are more unique to each woman. Just remember to balance it with healthy choices throughout the day.

2. Can we Eat Kurkure During Pregnancy?

Yes, you can eat Kurkure during pregnancy. However, be mindful, and avoid consuming the entire packet in one sitting. Also, explore the aisles of the superstore to find healthier alternatives of Kurkure.

3. Is Junk Food Safe During Pregnancy?

Junk food is safe to consume during pregnancy when prepared properly. Both quality and quantity can affect the nutritious content of junk food. Indulge mindfully in nutritious counterparts of fast foods.

4. What is Your Biggest Craving Throughout Pregnancy?

No single dish can be tagged as the biggest craving during pregnancy. Food desires differ from person to person. Cravings may also change with each trimester. While some women may crave pickles during one trimester, they may want sweets during the next few months. Only thing to keep in mind is, that instead of grabbing packaged and junk food to satisfy those cravings, choose fresh, homemade, and healthier alternatives.

5. What Happens if You Ignore Your Pregnancy Cravings?

Ignoring pregnancy cravings leads to FOMO. It is preferable to consume in moderate quantities to satisfy your food desires while pregnant. Curb all these cravings in a healthy way.

6. Can I Eat Biryani While Pregnant?

Yes, you can eat biryani while pregnant. Experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique versions. You can use brown rice, seasonal and local fresh vegetables and pair it with salad or raita.

References

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2. Natalia C. Orloff, Julia M. Hormes, Health Behaviors Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University at Albany – State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA, HYPOTHESIS AND THEORY article, Front. Psychol., 23 September 2014, Sec. Eating Behavior Volume 5 – 2014 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01076 – https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01076/full
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