Can You Eat Egg Drop Soup While Pregnant? Complete Guide
Egg drop soup is an inexpensive and delectable weekday supper but is it safe to eat while pregnant? When cooked properly, homemade egg drop soup is a safe, gratifying, and healthful choice to keep the mother and unborn child nourished throughout pregnancy.
Egg drop soup: What is it?
Egg drop soup, often known as “egg flower soup,” has its roots in Chinese cuisine but is now popular all over the world. Traditionally, to make this reasonably easy and delicious soup, beaten eggs are cooked in mineral-rich chicken stock.
However, for a vegetarian version, vegetable stock or seasoned water can be used. Egg drop soup is so named because the whisked egg mixture produces ribbon-like strands as it is dropped into the simmering broth.
Ginger, turmeric, black pepper, scallions, and sesame oil are frequently added to egg drop soup to boost its flavor profile and wide range of health benefits.
This common soup recipe makes a fantastic starting point and can be tailored to your unique taste preferences and/or nutritional needs. Egg drop soup may be made into a filling supper in about 15 minutes, requires little work to cook, and is very adaptable.
Benefits of egg drop soup while pregnant
Egg drop soup is delicious and nourishing, and it offers numerous advantages for a pregnant woman. This hearty, vegetable soup dish is perfect for a chilly winter’s day or to calm an unsettled stomach while pregnant. Many of the ingredients in this soup have numerous advantages for expectant mothers. These ingredients include:
Ginger
Due to an increase in pregnancy hormones, many expectant mothers feel nausea or morning sickness in the early stages of their pregnancies. Thankfully, adding ginger to egg drop soup is a natural anti-nausea treatment.
One study found that consuming up to 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger daily may be helpful for reducing morning sickness associated with pregnancy.
Turmeric
Turmeric is another healthy component in egg drop soup. This potent anti-inflammatory diet may help avoid pregnancy-related illnesses like depression, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and preterm birth.
The anti-inflammatory component of this earthy root, curcumin, is activated by adding black pepper to your egg drop soup. In egg drop soup, the egg yolk’s fat helps your body absorb more curcumin, a compound that fights inflammation.
Egg
For pregnant women, eggs are a great source of protein and choline. Because you need more of these nutrients during pregnancy, it’s crucial to include them in your diet. Between 90% to 95% of women do not get enough choline. Prenatal choline intake is crucial for boosting your baby’s brain development as well as mood and memory regulation.
Moreover, choline may aid in preventing neural tube abnormalities. A source of superior protein is the egg. This indicates that the protein in eggs is simple to digest, absorb, and utilize by your body. As it is necessary for the development of your unborn child, this critical nutrient should be given top priority during pregnancy.
Chicken stock
A bowl of soup made from bones called chicken stock. Your needs for liquids rise throughout pregnancy. A pleasant method to add additional fluid to your pregnancy diet and stay hydrated is with a hot broth-based soup. Chicken broth may include a lot of nutrients and lots of protein, depending on the manner of preparation and cooking duration.
Use bone broth in your egg drop soup for more protein. Remember that some stocks and broths could have high salt or sodium content, which might raise blood pressure. To maintain appropriate blood pressure levels throughout pregnancy, make sure to balance your sodium intake with enough potassium.
Seaweed
Adds healthy fiber and iodine to egg drop soup, making it a great addition. Fiber is crucial for maintaining regular bowel movements throughout pregnancy, and soluble fiber provides the fuel our beneficial gut bacteria, or microbiota, require to thrive.
Soluble fiber feeding your beneficial intestinal bacteria has a number of advantages, such as enhancing mood, reducing inflammation, and maintaining a healthy weight. The development of your baby’s brain depends in large part on iodine. It can be difficult to consume enough iodine, but fortunately, seaweed, like kombu, is high in iodine.
Is egg drop soup safe to consume while pregnant?
Absolutely, but make sure the egg is fully cooked. Uncooked or undercooked eggs may contain the risk of Salmonella bacteria, which can cause sickness if not pasteurized.
Your immune system temporarily declines during pregnancy, leaving you more susceptible to Salmonella’s hazardous effects. Salmonella is a foodborne illness that can cause vomiting, fever, dehydration, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. In severe circumstances, this extra strain on the body might cause miscarriage and preterm labor.
Unpasteurized eggs should be heated to at least 160°F (71°C) in order to ensure that they are cooked and your egg drop soup is a healthy option to consume. Lacking a thermometer? Ensure that the soup is steaming. Fresh egg drop soup is preferred. But, after 2 to 4 days in the fridge in an airtight container, it is safe to eat.
Food safety advice for women who are pregnant:
- Make sure eggs are steaming or cooked to 160°F (71°C).
- Throw away any cracked eggs.
- Don’t forget to use pasteurized eggs.
- Consume or store egg drop soup right away after cooking (within 1-2 hours)
- After handling a raw egg, thoroughly wash your hands with hot, soapy water.
- Sanitize any areas where a raw egg has been exposed.
Is Homemade Soup Safe?
While you’re pregnant soup is often a healthful and calming food during pregnancy (particularly if you’re feeling queasy).
Since you can modify egg drop soup and add healthy extras like fresh ginger, vegetables, and other fresh ingredients to turn it into a whole meal, it may be a terrific addition to your pregnant diet. Sometimes, Chinese restaurant egg drop soup is too salty or includes additions like monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Although these aren’t inherently dangerous for pregnant women. It’s always preferable to prepare a version without additives that are healthier. Since it contains fresh ginger, which gives it a very delightful kick, this version is my favorite.
FAQs
Q1: Is egg drop soup safe to eat during pregnancy?
Egg drop soup is a safe, gratifying, and healthful choice to keep mom and baby nourished throughout pregnancy when heated fully. Use pasteurized eggs or cook the simple soup to at least 160°F (71°C) for the eggs to prevent foodborne illness.
Q2: Can I eat egg drop soup from a takeout while pregnant?
While takeout egg drop soup could include unhealthful additives, pregnant women can consume it in moderation. High sodium and MSG content is a common feature in restaurants.
Q3: What advantages does egg drop soup have for pregnant women?
You should include egg drop soup in your pregnant diet. It is an excellent liquid and protein source. It may also be a good source of fiber, depending on the simple ingredients used. Additionally helpful for reducing inflammation are ginger and turmeric.
Conclusion:
Egg drop soup is an excellent meal choice for pregnant women, as long as they follow the food safety precautions discussed in this article. Egg drop soup can provide a refreshing and nutritious meal without too many additives. It is also a great source of protein and other beneficial nutrients.
Additionally, ginger, turmeric, and other spices may help reduce inflammation. Pregnant women should make sure that the eggs are fully cooked and the soup is heated to at least 160°F (71°C) before consuming it.