I am a silly cow!

[EggyMcEggMcSandwich]

I ate a rare steak on Saturday (at a decent chain restaurant), after reading the NHS purple Pregnancy book which states that rare whole cuts of beef/lamb are fine. However, I've since been reminded about toxoplasmosis and now am a bit scared! I do understand that toxo is rare in the uk and it's less likely to be in beef than lamb or pork. I also understand that toxo isn't always in the meat. Also I have lived with four smelly cats and may already be immune.

However - Why did I forget about toxo? Why does the purple book state rare meat is ok? Should I just relax? Has anyone else slipped up like this?

[Crosshair]

Steaks are fine if cooked on the outside I thought?

Not sure what to suggest, maybe see your doctor/mw if worried.

[mopsytop]

Steak is fine if it is seared well on the outside. So no need to worry if this was the case!

[lolajane2009]

You'll be fine. If you follow every bit of advice on what to not eat you'd not eat anything.

[AlpinePony]

I believe rare steak is allowed in Scotland - are you close? ;)

Don't worry.

[G1nger]

I've been eating rare steak til the cows come home.

[Oeisha]

Toxo is fairly rare in beef, but worms (usually tape or hook) aren't all that rare. You're very unlikely to get one, and you may already have one (can live in your gut for years without incident) but that's the major risk...just so you're aware. Most bacteria etc. will have formed on the outside, and assuming it was well seared on the outside, much less of a risk (just like any cooked food).
You're much more likely to get ill from raw/not properly cooked ground beef (burgers etc).

[notlettingthefearshow]

That's 2 days ago now so hopefully you're fine.

Don't beat yourself up about your oversight. I've forgotten many things I'm supposed to avoid and have eaten undercooked eggs, unpasturised cheese, parma ham, shellfish ...

IMO the guidelines are just that, and I don't worry about the occasional slip up.

[mopsytop]

notlettingthefearshow I don't even think it's an oversight. The NHS guidelines clearly state you can eat rare steak if it's been well seared. So Eggy you don't have anything to worry about. It's eating rare burgers (or minced beef that hasn't been cooked) that might be dodgy.

[mopsytop]

p.s. sorry that sounded like I was having a go at you notlettingthefearshow which I totally wasn't! I agree with you about the guidelines, they are guidelines. I am sure we all eat things on occasion that we are not 'supposed' to. I was eating salami the other day when my sisters told me I wasn't allowed it, I had no idea!!!!

[thejaffacakesareonme]

I haven't a clue whether or not it is allowed. I'm sure that most of us though have broken the guidelines by accident at some time or another.