You may be wondering if eating pork is safe while breastfeeding. The answer to that question is a little complicated.
In this blog post, we will explore the topic of eating pork while breastfeeding in detail. We will look at the potential risks and benefits of eating pork while nursing, and provide some tips on how to make sure your baby stays healthy and safe.
Is Pork Healthy?
The jury is still out on whether eating pork is healthy or not.
Pork is a good source of high-quality protein and certain nutrients, including thiamin, niacin, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium.
But it also tends to be high in unhealthy fats and cholesterol, which can contribute to higher risk of heart diseases and other health problems.
For these reasons, pork is generally considered unhealthy and should be consumed in moderation.
Can You Eat Pork While Breastfeeding?
The short answer to this question is yes – you can eat pork while breastfeeding, as long as you do so in moderation. eating too much pork can have negative consequences for both you and your baby.
Pork can be a good source of nutrients like protein and certain vitamins that boost the immune system, but it can also be high in unhealthy fats and cholesterol. For this reason, it’s important to limit your intake of pork while breast feeding.
There are a few things you can do to make sure you and your baby stay healthy:
Choose leaner cuts of red meat or pork, such as loin or tenderloin.
Many people think pork is unhealthy, but lean cuts are actually a source of high-quality protein and can be lower in saturated fat than cuts of beef and lamb.
Trim off any visible fat before cooking.
Pork makes an excellent roast, casserole, or stir-fry. If you’re watching your fat intake, it’s important to choose lean cuts and trim off any visible fat before cooking.
Avoid eating processed pork products, such as ham, hot dogs, bacon, and sausage.
These foods are often high in salt and carcinogenic compounds (cancer-causing), such as nitrates.
Limit your intake of fried pork dishes.
Fried pork chops also contain around 10 grams of unsaturated fat and 2.5 grams of saturated fat per 3-ounce serving. The American Heart Association recommends limiting your intake of saturated fats to less than 7 percent of your total daily calories and eating no more than 16 grams per day when following a 2,000-calorie diet.
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy eating pork while breastfeeding without putting your baby at risk.
Why Should You Avoid Fatty Foods and Fried Meats While Breastfeeding
If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you’re not just passing on calories to your little one with every sip. You’re also passing on whatever nutrients (or lack thereof) are in your diet.
So if you’re a new mom who is breast feeding, what should you be watching out for? Here are a few reasons why you should avoid fatty meats and fried foods while breastfeeding:
Fats that aren’t good for infants. Fried foods tend to contain trans fats, which have been linked to heart disease and other problems in adults. But trans fats can also interfere with brain development in infants.
A high-fat diet during nursing may increase the likelihood that your infant will become overweight or obese later on. One reason for this may be that those high-fat food choices may set up children to like high-fat foods more. Another reason may be that high-fat breast milk makes babies feel full sooner than low-fat breast milk.
Why You Should Properly Cook Pork Before Eating
Pork can be eaten raw, but it’s not safe for everyone.
There are many parasites and bacteria that can live in raw or undercooked meat, as well as meats that have not been kept at the right temperature. For example, pork that has been cooked up to a temperature of 145°F (or 63°C) may still contain dangerous parasites.
Bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria are also a concern when eating raw meat. However, the risk of these bacteria is greater when people eat raw or undercooked poultry or eggs than they are with pork. Read our guide to breastfeeding with food poisoning.
In order to get rid of these parasites and harmful bacteria, it’s important to cook pork thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of 71°C (or 160°F). This will make sure that your pork is safe to eat.
Can Pork Help Increase Breast Milk Supply?
Pork and breast milk have no scientific evidence. However, there is a possibility that pork contains so many nutrients that can not be found in other meat. A woman who eats pork often can have more than enough nutrients that may contribute to her breast milk production.
However, on the other hand, if you hate eating pork, there are still plenty of other food that can help increase your breast milk production.
Here are some of the healthy foods for nursing mothers:
- Oats are good for lactating mothers because it is rich in iron and protein which can help boost energy.
- Fenugreek is known to be the most effective herb in boosting breast milk production. Eating fenugreek seed or drinking fenugreek tea will do the trick.
- Fennel has phytoestrogen which helps increase the production of prolactin, a hormone necessary in increasing breast milk supply.
Additionally, a nursing mother should have a well-balanced diet that consists of fresh fruits, whole wheat, and vegetables. They are good for your overall health as well as your baby’s health.
Of course, you can eat meat but do so in moderation. And if you love spicy foods, there’s nothing wrong with adding some hot sauce to your favorite snacks.
Eat fish because they are a good source of omega 3 fatty acids, smoked salmon is great when nursing. But choose seafood that are low in mercury and avoid ones that have high mercury content (it affects the nervous system) such as king mackerel. Likewise, avoid foods high in fat, alcohol and limit your caffeine intake or remove it entirely from your daily routine and reduce soda drinks when breastfeeding.
Can a Breastfed Baby Be Allergic to Pork?
The main risk of eating pork while nursing is your infant developing a rash or other symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Babies can develop these types of reactions to anything the mother eats, but allergic reactions are most commonly triggered by foods such as eggs, milk and nuts.
If your infant develops any symptoms of an allergic reaction, speak to your doctor or pediatrician.
In addition to allergic reactions, there are some risks associated with eating certain kinds of meat.
Parasites and bacteria can be present in undercooked or raw pork, or in meats that have not been kept at the right temperature. These bacteria and parasites can cause foodborne illnesses in mothers as well as their infants.
You may need to avoid eating pork if your baby has a sensitive stomach (or other food allergies).
Take Away on Pork for the Breastfeeding Moms
In conclusion, eating pork while nursing is generally safe as long as you do so in moderation. Be sure to choose leaner cuts of pork and avoid processed pork products. Moderation is key – eating too much pork can have negative consequences for you and your baby.
Don’t eat pork exclusively. And instead, be sure to have a well-balanced diet consisting mainly of vegetables, whole wheat and fresh fruits. As always, talk to your doctor or health care professional to work on a dietary plan that works best for you.
This article was written by Sandra Baker – full time writer and the mother of four amazing kids (including twins!)
She’s also a breastfeeding counselor and has spent years helping new parents learn how to care for their children. When she’s not writing or caring for her children, Sandra likes to spend time reading and taking walks with her husband.
