Pâté has gained recognition worldwide, but its consumption is more frequent in Europe, whether it is included as a sandwich, an aperitif, or as an accompaniment to the main dish. However, being rich in specific components, it can be harmful in excess, causing the development of certain conditions.
These effects can occur in anyone regardless of gender or age; although some have a greater predisposition, you may wonder, ” Can pregnant women eat Pate? “. In this FastlyHealarticle, we will give you some details on the subject and why it is better to avoid eating Pate during pregnancy.
What is a pate made of, and why should I be careful when eating it?
Pâté is food prepared based on the liver, mainly or other animal entrails, usually pork, chicken, duck, beef, rabbit, or fish. This already minced meat is mixed with milk, flour, some vegetables, herbs, spices, and wine, although these ingredients can vary, resulting in a paste that you can eat sliced or spread on biscuits or toast. On the other hand, there is already a vegetarian version, in which you can prepare the Pate using the combination of vegetables that you like the most.
Its consumption is widespread in some areas of the world, mainly due to the numerous ways of ingesting it and that it has a flavor that many love. If you occasionally integrate it into your diet, it does not cause you a problem; however, its excessive consumption can cause adverse effects since it has a high energy value, approximately 300 calories per 100 grams of liver Pate, so you would have to find a way to spend them, or you may develop obesity. Likewise, you should bear in mind that high consumption of this food provides you with large amounts of sodium, cholesterol, and Vitamin A, D, and E, with the possibility of an imbalance of its concentration in your body.
In addition, there is also the possibility that it is a carrier of agents that are harmful to your body, so it is not highly recommended that you eat Pate that has not undergone a pasteurization process, has not been exposed to very high temperatures, or that has not been cooked. . Although the condition is generally mild, a group of the population is more vulnerable, in which pregnant women can eat Pate in small portions, infrequently and that comes from canned or sterilized, but preferably they should avoid it.
Increased chance of getting listeriosis
Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes that manages to enter your body if you eat contaminated food, such as vegetables or meats that have been in contact with water or soils with this bacteria.
Whether meat or vegetables, Pate represents a greater risk of contracting this bacteria in high amounts compared to other foods that may also contain it. This is because in many cases, frequently in artisanal or homemade pâté, the pâté is not subjected to the pasteurization process or similar treatments in which it is exposed to extreme temperatures, so the bacteria are not eliminated although the food, whether refrigerated or very well cooked, as it can withstand these conditions and survive.
The Listeria bacteria affect you more if you are pregnant because your immune system is usually lower than usual. You do not have the necessary defenses to fight it. So when you doubt whether pregnant women can eat Pate, the answer is preferable NO.
The effect of the infection on your body is not usually profound, but it is annoying; often, it can be mistaken for flu symptoms. On the contrary, the action on the fetus tends to bring serious complications since the bacteria can cross the placenta, come into contact with the amniotic fluid infecting it, and in turn, the fetus, causing a spontaneous abortion. When the infection occurs in the last weeks of gestation, it is possible that the fetus dies in the uterus and is born lifeless, or that it is born alive but very sick and that it dies in the following hours.
Although it is a delicate condition, it is not very common and affects 1 in 30 thousand pregnant women. However, you must monitor your pregnancy and see your doctor if you notice symptoms that do not match your condition.
In this other FastlyHealarticle, we will show you how often you should eat while pregnant.
Excess vitamin A affects during pregnancy.
As the main ingredient in traditional Pate is the liver, it contains a high amount of vitamin A in the form of retinol, so if you consume it in large portions, it can be harmful to you and, to a greater extent, to the fetus since the Vitamin tends to accumulate. This excess is not eliminated through the urine, which is one reason why pregnant women cannot eat Pate.
Excess vitamin A in your body can cause congenital malformations in the fetus, including poor development of the limbs, alterations in the central nervous system, malformations in the genitourinary tract or the palate, cardiac anomalies, physical or functional affectations of the thymus, among others.
Although the possibility of developing hypervitaminosis is not so potential unless you eat large amounts of Pate constantly, you must take your precautions and go to the doctor for the appropriate control and review. You can also choose to eat Pate, which is not made from liver.
Possible symptoms of complications from eating Pate during pregnancy
If you have eaten Pate while pregnant, it does not necessarily mean that you will have any complications. It usually happens when you eat more than ten times the recommended amount; however, you should always be careful and let your doctor know.
On the other hand, if it does affect you, you may observe certain symptoms in yourself, although it is not uncommon for it to be asymptomatic, and you notice until it is late. Some of the signs that you could present are:
- Headaches.
- Fever and chills
- Threw up.
- Diarrhea and an upset stomach.
- Double vision.
- Dryness of the mucous membranes.
- Muscle pains.
- Neck stiffness.
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can pregnant women eat Pate?, we recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.