What are the禁忌 (taboos) for pregnant women drinking lamb soup?
Nov 11, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Pregnant women should generally avoid eating undercooked lamb, control the amount consumed, refrain from combining it with cold-natured ingredients, avoid spicy seasonings, and exercise caution if they have special constitutions. Undercooked lamb may carry bacteria or parasites, which can easily cause infections when ingested, posing risks to maternal health and fetal development. Therefore, lamb should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
Pregnant women should generally avoid eating undercooked lamb, control the amount consumed, avoid combining it with cold-natured ingredients, refrain from using spicy seasonings, and exercise caution if they have special physical constitutions. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Avoid undercooked lamb: Undercooked lamb may carry bacteria or parasites, which can cause infections when ingested, posing risks to maternal health and fetal development. Therefore, lamb should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
2. Control portion size: Lamb is considered warming in nature. Excessive consumption may lead to heat accumulation in the body, causing "heatiness" symptoms such as dry mouth and constipation. It is recommended to consume moderate amounts according to individual needs and avoid overeating at one time.
3. Avoid pairing with cold-natured ingredients: Since lamb is warming in nature, consuming it together with cold-natured foods like crab or watermelon may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea, potentially affecting digestive function during pregnancy. Attention should be paid to proper food combinations.
4. Avoid spicy seasonings: Adding large amounts of spicy seasonings such as chili peppers or Sichuan pepper when cooking lamb soup may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, worsen discomfort during pregnancy, and possibly affect the fetus. A mild and light seasoning approach is recommended.
5. Exercise caution with special health conditions: Pregnant women with conditions such as gestational hypertension or diabetes should consult their doctor before consuming lamb soup. Suitability should be determined based on individual health status to avoid adverse impacts on disease management.
When consuming lamb soup, pregnant women should choose fresh lamb to ensure food safety and pay attention to their body's response afterward. If any discomfort occurs, consumption should be stopped immediately and professional advice sought.
