To have had an Indian buffet (pregnant)?

[AliceRR]

DH wanted Indian food for dinner and then suggested a buffet restaurant we’ve been to before a few times.

I agreed although it then occurred to em maybe I shouldn’t eat buffet food just because of the risk of food poisoning given the food including meats are left out etc.

I had salad and meats, chips and popodoms(!), and pudding...

Also I ate a piece of masala fish and DH commented he was surprised I’d eaten that as fish can be dodgy!

I am an anxious / cautious pregnant person so now worrying maybe I should have stayed away from the buffet and ordered from the main menu...

Hopefully I’ll be ok but may avoid in future if for no other reason than it’s not worth the stress and anxiety afterwards 😬🙄🙈

Oh bless you, you sound anxious. I was the same when pregnant. What I would say though is that worst case scenario you get sick, it's unlikely to hurt the baby. You'll just feel really horrible and unwell. If it happens, just keep your fluids up and don't get dehydrated.

BUT... I'm fairly certain you're going to be absolutely fine. xx

Buffets vary a lot! The only time I've had food poisoning was from an Indian buffet, but it was quiet - big mistake. I only go to busy buffets now and it's a last resort

@Wannabeyorkshirelass I’m so anxious since I got pregnant. I must seem ridiculous at times but believe it or not I’m not as bad as I was st the start! 🙈 x

I have a history of mc and so was insanely anxious when pg. Highlights include the panic I had after avoiding nuts (the advice then) but realising that scoffing down honey nut cornflakes was undoing all my good work.
I wouldn’t avoid eating from outlets you trust when pregnant. Babies tend to not let you finish a hot meal in peace. Make the most of it!

No sign of food poisoning so that’s a good sign! x

People in India do eat you know

• 100! My sentiment exactly!

@tiggerkid Issue is not the Indian aspect but the buffet (food sitting out)

If the restaurant has a 3 or higher star rating, then they will follow safe hygiene practices. Food won't be sat out for too long, and won't be topped up or whatever.

I really hope you don't take this the wrong way as I mean it kindly but when I read this I looked at the username expecting it to be you.
Could I very gently suggest you see your GP and / or midwife to get some help for your anxiety.

Wolfie oh bloody hell I didn't make the crunchy nut cornflakes connection. Those and chicken and mushroom pot noodles (never liked before or since) were all I could keep down with Dd1

Issue is not the Indian aspect but the buffet (food sitting out)

It hardly sat there for days! I wouldn't have thought it'd sit there any longer than sunday roast in a pub would.

As per usual....the very first post has said it perfectly 

@vanillasky1001

There’s very few things you can’t eat during pregnancy and a buffet isn’t one of them. If you’re not usually worried about food poisoning from this buffet, then no need to worry now. And if you did get it, then it’s a poor reflection on that particular buffet and don’t go again, but you’d just be a bit ill for a while, nothing more.

@SummerStrong @vanillasky1001 Yes if you have missed the point and not RTFT! No issue with Indian - I am Indian!! 😂

@CantChoose No that’s fine but I haven’t posted that much about my anxieties! 🤔

@tiggerkid Yes I think you might be right. I thought this ultimately- we don’t know what happens to the food we have in a restaurant before we eat it

I am fine and accept I am over anxious!

There are hygiene rules though, and to gain a decent star rating restaurants have to show they understand the rules and apply them. Unless you have a specific reason not to trust this particular restaurant, then it's not something to worry about.

I did the same right before my due date as it was a restaurant I'd been to before so I didn't have any concerns or anything.

You'll probably be absolutely fine and the modern guidelines in the UK are actually stricter than in other similar countries, but if worse comes to worst then you'll feel rubbish, but the baby is unlikely to be affected. Our bodies have evolved to protect the pregnancy even when it's not great for the mum.

Make sure you do go to doctor if you're unwell and it'll be fine.

I went to a buffet lunch 2 days before DD was due to arrive. She decided to start her journey into the world later that afternoon. I was absolutely fine, poor DH was running to the loo in between contractions to throw up. I sent him home to bed about midnight to try and get some sleep, he was about as much use to me as a chocolate teapot!

Please try not to worry. If there was a problem, your body would get rid of the food & you'd be throwing up. That happened to me at 23 weeks on holiday. DH fancied a seafood platter so I went along with it although I don't normally eat shellfish. Before he'd finished, I'd chucked my share up (what a waste!) but then devoured dessert, so it was obvious that bump and I didn't want seafood, but dessert hit the spot!

I then fancied Indian takeaway when DD2 was a few days old. The midwife was mock-horrified as I was bf and said DD would get "the squits". DD was fine, I got the curry I craved and we're all here 17 years later

Food hygiene is strictly controlled in this country (assuming you are in the UK). I wouldn't worry.

If you are.worried about meat, you can choose vegetarian food. It's better for you and the environment.

Thanks again

I think you are all right really. I’ve had no signs of food poisioning since buffet last night!

Think I scared myself in first trimester by reading about listeria etc and reading that it can have no symptoms but pass to fetus and harm baby etc etc.

I am trying to stay away from anxious googling!

🙈

Huge apologies if I've got you confused with someone else!!
I thought I'd seen a few posts in an antenatal thread and then a few separate ones elsewhere. Haven't stalked you I promise, just thought I recongnised the name! There's probably a few Alice based posters and maybe im merging them together.

I was ridiculously anxious about food during pregnancy but it wouldn’t cross my mind not to have buffet food. If you are in the U.K., the buffet health standards will be the same as any other food you could eat.

However, if you are going to worry afterwards, don’t bother again as it isn’t worth the hassle.

@AliceRR it'll be fine, as one anxious person to another I think a pp is right that you need to talk to your midwife. I remember you posting about hitting yourself in the bump putting jeans on and also that you were very anxious about getting flu or being prescribed antibiotic spray and a few other things. I spoke to my midwife last week (mine takes the form of health anxiety) and being referred to a mental health nurse and feel the weight's been lifted and I don't NEED to worry so much anymore.