Truffle in pregnancy: what risk do you run if you consume it?
The truffle in pregnancy is one of those foods to pay attention to, above all because it is found underground and could be the triggering cause of toxoplasmosis, a "trivial infection that, if contracted during pregnancy, can cause even serious damage to the fetus. article we will see how to eat truffles without running any risk, but first here is a video with the foods to watch out for if you are pregnant.
Truffle in pregnancy: characteristics and nutritional values
The truffle can be considered a mushroom that lives underground and has an internal fleshy mass, topped by a hard bark. Rich in fibers and mineral salts, it is also made up of all the organic substances it takes from the roots of the plants with which it shares its habitat. The shape of the truffles is very irregular, but tends to be spherical, as well as the dimensions which can vary from very small to very large (rare truffles). Generally the truffle can be found black, from November to March, or white, from September to January. It is a fruit that does not tolerate pollution, so in places where it is easily found it means that the air is very clean. Rich in antioxidants, it fights free radicals and stimulates the production of collagen; moreover, for decades, it has been attributed aphrodisiac properties: it seems that its consumption favors the attraction of the partner, triggering passion. It is a low-calorie food, 100 grams of truffles provide about 31 calories, and especially appreciated for its extremely scent aromatic and unique.
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Why can truffles hurt during pregnancy?
Like all products of the earth, even the truffle together with fruit and vegetables can be consumed during pregnancy paying attention to a correct cleaning of the product. The main risk is linked to the toxoplasmosis bacterium, an infectious disease caused by a very common parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Even if it is not dangerous for man, toxoplasmosis if contracted by a pregnant woman can be transmitted to the fetus and lead to serious consequences for her health especially in the first weeks of gestation. Truffles can also host this parasite, but if carefully washed, the risk is canceled.
How to consume truffles during pregnancy
We have collected a series of rules to be able to eat truffles even during pregnancy without the expectant mother and baby running any risk.
- Gently wash the truffle under running water.
- With a special toothbrush, vigorously massage the bark of the truffle to remove soil residues.
- Dip the truffle in a bowl with water and baking soda and let it rest. This will allow you to disinfect the product even more without altering its qualities.
- If you still notice any dirt-encrusted residue, use a rounded knife to peel it off.
- If you are using black truffle, you can cook it, in this way you will be sure to have eliminated the toxoplasmosis bacterium. Remember that, on the other hand, the white truffle cannot be cooked otherwise it would lose all its nutritional qualities.
- For even greater safety, freeze the truffle for a few days before consuming it. The cold will kill any bacteria.
Types of truffles safe for pregnant women
Pregnancy is a beautiful moment in every woman's life, but we know well that it is also made up of strange cravings that suddenly assail the expectant mother. And if one of these was the truffle? and they are also much safer than fresh truffles What changes is the processing and conservation of the product.
- Freeze-dried truffle
In this process, the water is eliminated from the product, without altering its organoleptic qualities. The freeze-dried truffle is therefore completely suitable for consumption by pregnant women.
- Dried truffle
Before proceeding with drying, the truffle is subjected to very high temperatures which eliminate the toxoplasmosis parasite.
- Truffle in a jar
Truffles stored in glass jars are subjected to scrupulous sterilization and pasteurization processes, so they are completely harmless for consumption even during pregnancy.
If you do not feel safe, you can decide to avoid truffles during the entire gestation period, but if it is your favorite dish and you want to eat it in the form of risotto, pasta, etc ... you can do it by following the rules we have for you indicated.
Foods that contain truffles: can they be considered harmless?
The truffle is one of the most sought after and appreciated foods in Italian cuisine. There are numerous dishes that use it, but given its fame, truffles are often used to enrich meats and cheeses as well. What are they?
- Truffle mortadella
- Philadelphia with truffles
- Truffle caciotta
- Robiola with truffles
Can all these succulent preparations, together with the more famous tagliatelle with truffles, risotto or tortelli stuffed with truffles, be considered safe if consumed by a pregnant woman? The answer is yes! Firstly, because all the products mentioned are subjected to pasteurization or in any case during processing the temperature rises above 60 ° (the minimum to eliminate all bacteria such as toxoplasmosis). Secondly, because when it comes to products purchased at the supermarket, the checks carried out are usually even greater, so the risk of infection for the expectant mother is eliminated.
Why is the truffle so expensive?
If you are not a regular consumer of truffles, the price may surprise you. Let's think, for example, of a pregnant woman who wants truffle risotto and has never bought it before. The price of the truffle and the preparations in which it is used is often really exorbitant. Everything is due to the fact that truffles are very rare and above all they grow very slowly. In short, one could say whoever finds a truffle finds a treasure!
The smell of truffles can cause nausea if you are pregnant
The smell of the truffle is very intense and recognizable even from a distance. If you don't love this food during pregnancy, two things could happen:
- suddenly you start to like the truffle, even if you hated it until the day before, and you spend all the months of gestation dreaming of a plate of steaming tagliatelle with truffle flakes;
- your disgust in smelling the smell of truffles intensifies during gestation and comes to make you nauseous. This is normal as the 5 senses of the pregnant woman are more stressed until before the birth.
