Biltong is undercooked meat that is rich in protein. However, since it is undercooked, you may be skeptical about consuming biltong during pregnancy. Protein is an essential macronutrient during pregnancy as it is required for the proper growth and development of the fetus and to maintain maternal health. This specific type of meat is flavorful and seems like an easy dose of protein. However, uncooked foods carry the risk of many harmful bacterias and parasites, which may cause food infection. If you enjoy consuming biltong and wish to know its benefits and risks, reading our post can help you make an informed decision.
What Is Biltong?
Biltong is a special meat originating from Southern Africa but is now popular worldwide. Many individuals enjoy eating the meat in Western countries. Read our post to learn how biltong is beneficial and safe during pregnancy.
Health Benefits Of Eating Biltong During Pregnancy
1. Provides Proteins:
Biltong is a rich source of proteins that help you develop strong and healthy muscles during pregnancy. The meat serves as an excellent protein supplement to your pregnancy diet. Also, biltong regulates your appetite and aids in maintaining your blood glucose levels stable. Several researchers reveal that biltong is a safe protein rich food that contains no carcinogenic ingredients (1).
2. Regulates Weight Gain:
It is a fact that carbohydrates lead to weight gain. However, biltong contains low amounts of carbohydrates that help you regulate weight gain during pregnancy. The meat provides you with the necessary amounts of carbohydrates and is healthier and more delicious than other low-carb meat diets (2).
3. Boosts Brain Concentration:
Biltong contains low carbohydrate content, so the meat helps you improve and maintain brain concentration abilities during pregnancy. Eating the meat will prevent the risk of loss of concentration in spite of your busy schedule (3).
4. Absence Of Harmful Chemicals:
Some kinds of meat are harmful to your health during pregnancy due to their high chemical content. Chemical ingredients such as artificial flavors, preservatives, sodium nitrate, and other chemicals, prove hazardous to your health. However, biltong contains no chemicals. Biltong contains sugar, salt, black pepper, vinegar, coriander, and meat that aren’t harmful during pregnancy (4).
Is It Safe To Eat Biltong During Pregnancy?
Even though there are many health benefits of eating biltong during pregnancy, several individuals are skeptical about how safe it is to consume meat during pregnancy. It is safe to consume biltong in moderation during pregnancy. However, raw meat is at high risk of carrying bacteria or Listeria. So avoid eating raw or undercooked meat while expecting. Avoid moist biltong during pregnancy as it carries high fat that promotes the growth of harmful microorganisms. Cooked meat at high temperatures is safe to eat since it is less likely to contain bacteria. Also, it is safe to eat biltong if it is of high quality and from a reliable source (5).
