Pregnant women can go ahead and eat at Panda Express but there are a few hints they must know. Their dishes usually contain too much sodium, unhealthy fats and added sugars which are stuff you want to skip during pregnancy.
High sodium levels can lead to increased blood pressure and water retention; two major concerns for expecting moms. However, when you carefully select your menu items and eat small amounts, you can still enjoy these American-Chinese cuisines.
The best thing to do is to look for meals that are lower in sodium and fats, and to avoid those in added sugars. Also, note that while you can eat fast foods while pregnant, they should be an occasional treat other than a habit.
Fast foods generally provide more calories, sodium, and fat than home-cooked meals, which can increase the risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
Therefore, enjoying their meals as occasional treats rather than a regular part of your diet can be a safer approach to making healthier choices at this precious time.
Tips to safely eating panda express while pregnant
Go ahead and eat at Panda Express while pregnant. It can be a tasty and convenient option, but try to keep these hints at fingertips for a safer dining.
- Firstly, pay attention to the sodium content in the food: As discussed earlier, meals from Panda Express are more likely to have a lot of salt, which isn’t great for you during pregnancy. Too much salt does not offer any benefit except to raise your blood pressure levels and sometimes cause body swells. So try to pick items with low or no sodium.
- Avoid dishes that are full of unhealthy fats and added sugars: Pregnancy is already making you put on weight, and eating such foods will only double up the gains and complicate your health. Instead, go for menu options with more veggies and lean proteins as these would provide the nutrients you need.
- Stick with smaller portions: Don’t binge on foods you eat here. Choose to split them and add steamed rice and vegetables to make them more filling and nutritious. Dishes that include fresh vegetables can help balance out the meal with fiber and vitamins.
- Always make sure that your meal is fully cooked: Ensuring this will keep you at bay from foodborne illness which could be very dangerous, especially at these weaker times. Also, make sure you only eat hot and freshly made foods. If you’re unsure, have doubts or food looks like it’s been sitting out for a while, give it a pass.
Panda Express Alternatives For Pregnant Women
I know you can’t give up Panda Express completely and that’s why you’re here to check whether its still safe at this time. Yes, it is, but these alternatives seem much safer especially because you’d be making them yourself.
1. Homemade Asian inspired meals
Making this at home would allow you to customize your own version, meaning, controlling the type of ingredients and their quantities.
This also means you can drastically reduce or just completely do away with sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. Think about making a simple stir-fry with lean chicken, brown rice and lots of veggies. Your baby would thank you for this!
2. Sushi Restaurants
Sushi can be a great option as well, especially if you crave Asian foods. Butyou should only stick to rolls made with cooked seafood or vegetables. Also stay off raw fish because it can carry listeria, which will increase the risk of foodborne illness.
3. Vegetarian or Vegan Asian Restaurants
These restaurants offer dishes with plenty veggies, legumes and other plant proteins, which is a good nutritional profile for pregnant women as it cuts back the sodium and bad fats. But look out for dishes laden with sugary sauces and back out.
4. Meal Delivery Services
Some meal delivery services offer healthy and balanced Asian-inspired dishes. Most would let you customize your order based on your preferences and dietary needs. This helps you avoid the unwanted ingredients.
5. Local Health Food Cafés
Some cafes focus on healthy eating and might offer meal selections inspired by your favorite Panda Express options but made with whole, nutritious ingredients.
6. Grocery Store Pre-Made Meals
Many grocery stores have parted sections for premade meals. Look for options with plenty vegetables, grilled meat and whole grains. Also, watch out for sodium and fats by checking the nutritional labels to make sure they’re excluded or in minimal quantities.
Choosing any of these alternatives can attend to your yearnings while maintaining a balanced diet at this precious time. Remember, it’s all about options that are full of nutrients and low in unhealthy additives. Also, options that are pretty safe in terms of food handling.
Related: Can I Eat McAlister’s While pregnant?
Conclusion
Indeed we firmly confirm that it is safe for pregnant women to eat at Panda Express, but they should do so with mindfulness. While eating your favorite food once a while is okay, the deal is to make choices that align with a healthy pregnancy diet.
Prioritize menu items that are well stocked with vegetables and plant proteins, and avoid large portions to check the calorie intake. And always ensure that the food is fully cooked, especially meats, to avoid foodborne illnesses.
