Patient's question:
I am two months pregnant and would like to ask if I can eat kimchi.Additionally, what should I pay attention to? What should I avoid eating?
Doctor's answer:
Pickles are rich in active lactic acid bacteria and also contain a variety of vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and other inorganic and mineral substances, as well as over ten types of amino acids essential for the human body.After becoming pregnant, some women develop a craving for sour foods, leading them to frequently consume large amounts of various pickled and fermented vegetables. However, Dr. Zhong from the obstetrics and gynecology department advises that pregnant women can occasionally eat small amounts of pickled and fermented vegetables, but excessive consumption does not benefit either their health or the development of the fetus. The doctor explains that pickled and sour vegetables contain nitrosamines, which are highly carcinogenic and can induce tumors in various animals and tissues. It is worth noting that some nitrosamines can cross the placenta, causing tumors in the uterus and inducing birth defects in the fetus. Therefore, it is recommended to eat pickles sparingly and, if possible, avoid them altogether.