Going for a chinese meal - anything I shouldn't be eating there?

[Caz10]

Still being baffled by the pregnancy food rules, keep forgetting what's ok and what's not!
Meeting friends at a chinese restaurant at the weekend, I know I shouldn't eat the prawns but is everything else generally ok?
Thanks!

[Tutter]

Eat Everything

that's my tip

nothing i'd avoid in a (reputable) chinese restaurant

have been eating prawns all the way through

[PavlovtheCat]

Peanut satay...and check which things might have peanuts in them if you are unsure.

[PavlovtheCat]

Avoid the soup. Not due to pregnancy, just not very nice

[PavlovtheCat]

Loopy - Hi! (how is the house stuff going?)

yes, I think it is if a history of allergies. I prefered to avoid anyway and good job I did, my brother reminded me after DD was born that he had hayfever! Oops!

[CountTo10]

I actually still eat some prawn dishes - it's more about making sure they're well cooked - perhaps if you say something if you really want them?

[Caz10]

Yum yum yum
thanks all for the advice! forgot re satay - am still v undecided re the peanut thing as I have bad hayfever, but haven't read anything that REALLY convinces me to totally avoid them. I've hardly touched 1 in 16 weeks, and although some people would say that's enough, I don't think I'll worry if I have a little try of the satay!
It's a buffet anyway so can have a bit of everything!! Mmmm so hungry...

[Naetha]

Mmm in my head I'd love a chinese meal, but I just know I'd get there, order the food and my stomach would object!

I'm also slightly worried about the whole peanut thing - I have reasonable hayfever and cat allergies, as well as mild asthma and eczema. The problem is, I'm 13+4, and I've eaten loads of peanuts so far, without really realising it - tracker bars, peanut M&Ms, pub peanuts - I knew it was one of the foods to avoid, but it completely slipped my mind. Have I screwed it up? Is it just a case of time will tell if I've relegated my child to a crappy life?

[VP]

Is that prawn really worth it? it's only 9 months you have to go without..peanuts absolutely don't eat if you have nut allergies in the family, it's a big big no no

[Princesspowersparkle]

I thought prawns were OK if hot? Its just the cold ones that they recommend you don't eat isn't it?
Well- I've eaten them if I've cooked them or they are in a rice (like Special fried rice).
x

[bluebell82]

princesspowersparkle is that true about prawns being OK if they are thoroughly cooked.. because my staple diet was prawns before the bump!!!!

[VP]

I've heard/read to avoid shellfish totally??????

[morningglory]

According to the government web site:

Foods to avoid include:
-peanuts and foods containing peanut products if you, the baby's father or siblings have certain allergic conditions such as hay fever, asthma or eczema
pâté
-mould-ripened soft cheese (Brie, Camembert, goat's cheese, etc)
-unpasteurised milk
-liver or liver products
-shark, swordfish and marlin (all contain high levels of mercury)
-too much caffeine and alcohol
-raw eggs and food containing raw or partially cooked eggs

Prawns are Ok if well cooked. Sushi is OK from most places (conveyer belt places, supermarkets, reputable places)

[Princesspowersparkle]

This is the first time I have done a link but Look here

Looks like cooked is fine.
x

[VP]

Wow, I also read that sushi is a big no no aswell, I guess each country has different guidelines, enjoy the prawns!

[Princesspowersparkle]

Hi VP- you're right- all countries are different. For instance I think Italy etc are fine to eat parma ham, and France are allowed to eat soft cheeses (I think) but here is a no etc. Such a pain but I guess we need to make the decision ourselves from what we are advised!
X

[VP]

Too true!!

[Notquitegrownup]

I believe that most Chinese restaurants use peanut oil to fry the food, as it heats to a higher temperature, so if you are trying to avoid peanuts then only the steamed dishes will do.

I kept a book during pregnancy of IOUs - it was great reading at the end of nine months. I was owed dozens of bottles of wine, chinese meals, soft cheeses, seafood by the ton, plus a few glasses of champagne, etc. All to be cashed in at moments of need in the future!

[Notquitegrownup]

PPS - I had an English friend who was pregnant in France. Her French doctor said that they did allow french women to eat soft cheeses and pates, but that as an English temporary resident, he advised her against it as she would not have built up the immunity that a local resident would have after years of eating the stuff.

[Princesspowersparkle]

Notquitegrownup- that makes sense!

[honeyapple]

just to say-

I'd be wary of a buffet cos the food is left at not very hot temps and kind of gets heated through... I wouldnt touch prawns on a buffet for this reason, whether I was PG or not. Watch which dishes they bring out when you are in the restaurant, and go for those because they should just have been cooked.

[RGPargy]

I would agree about eating everything you can. Wouldn't eat prawns, but that's coz i dont like them anyway. Still have had peanut satay tho. Yum yum!!

[claraq]

I went to a Chinese restaurant the day I found out I was pregnant and ate everything, prawns and all. I also ate prawns while on holiday in Spain. My DD got food poisoning during the same holiday but hadn't eaten any prawns, she must have eaten something slightly undercooked or which had been in contact with something undercooked.
The moral of this message is that although it certainly pays to be careful with things you KNOW you shouldn't eat, you can be as careful as anything and still fall foul (geddit?) of a bit of undercooked chicken.