Recently, a video was shared on social media about a woman who had just given birth and was enjoying a tray of sushi. This video attracted more than 35 million views and tens of thousands of comments just a few days after being posted. Most of the comments expressed surprise at this post-natal meal and said that women after giving birth should not eat raw food because it is not good for the mother's health.
However, there are also a few opinions defending that the mother must have been allowed to eat by the doctor. Others suspect that the young mother intentionally staged the video to cause controversy and attract attention.
Specialist Doctor Chau Thi Anh - Head of the Nutrition Department, Xuyen A General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that after giving birth, a woman's body undergoes many changes due to sudden hormonal changes and the recovery process from pregnancy and childbirth. The postpartum period is a challenging but also sacred journey for women. The mother's body and psychology will have significant changes to adapt to the new role, while the need for energy also increases to restore health and provide milk for the baby.
"Nutrition plays an extremely important role for women after giving birth, not only helping mothers recover quickly but also ensuring an abundant, quality source of milk for their babies. However, eating sushi and raw, cold foods immediately after giving birth has many potential risks and is not recommended, especially in the early stages after giving birth and while breastfeeding," said Dr. Chau Thi Anh.
Raw, cold foods can be harder to digest, causing bloating and discomfort for postpartum women.
PHOTO. LE CAM
Risk of bacterial and parasitic infection from raw sushi
Weakened immune system : After giving birth, a woman's body is in the recovery phase and her immune system is weaker than usual. This increases the risk of infection from bacteria, viruses and parasites that may be present in raw foods.
Bacteria and parasites in raw fish : Raw fish can contain disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli or parasites such as Anisakis.
Listeria : Particularly dangerous for postpartum women and newborns. Listeria infection can cause symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, nausea, and in severe cases can lead to meningitis or sepsis, seriously affecting the health of both mother and baby (if transmitted through breast milk).
Anisakis : This parasite can cause symptoms of severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and in some cases requires surgery to remove it.
Infection through breast milk : Although less common, some bacteria or toxins can pass through breast milk and affect the baby's immature digestive system, causing diarrhea and vomiting.
Mercury hazard
"Some types of fish used for sushi (such as bigeye tuna, king mackerel, shark, swordfish) have high mercury content. Mercury is a heavy metal that can accumulate in the body and pass through breast milk to the baby, affecting the development of the baby's brain and nervous system. Although the amount of mercury passed into breast milk is usually small, infants are very sensitive to this toxin," Dr. Anh shared.
Effects on the digestive system
After giving birth, the mother's digestive system is still quite sensitive. Raw, cold foods can be more difficult to digest, causing bloating, discomfort or even indigestion. According to oriental medicine, cold foods (like cold sushi) are cold in nature, not good for postpartum women who need to keep their bodies warm to recover.
Food safety issues
The freshness and preparation of sushi are key to ensuring safety. If the restaurant is not reputable or the ingredients are not stored properly, the risk of contamination is very high.
Dietary recommendations for postpartum women
Below are recommendations from Dr. Chau Thi Anh on diet for postpartum women:
Avoid raw foods completely: It is best to avoid raw foods (sushi, sashimi, raw fish, blood pudding...) for at least the first 2-3 months after giving birth, or even longer if you are still exclusively breastfeeding.
Prioritize cooked foods: Choose dishes that are thoroughly cooked and hot to ensure food hygiene and safety.
Choose safe fish if you eat sushi (after abstinence): If you really crave it and have gone through a strict abstinence period, choose sushi made from cooked fish (e.g. shrimp sushi, grilled eel, egg rolls, grilled salmon) or fish that are low in mercury and hygienically prepared (farmed salmon, tilapia, cod).
Limit cold foods: Limit eating foods that are too cold to avoid affecting the digestive system.
"Always consult your doctor or dietitian about your postpartum diet, especially if you have any concerns," shares Dr. Chau Thi Anh.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-co-nen-an-sushi-ngay-sau-khi-sinh-185250609224648955.htm
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