eating raw meat won't help you get pregnant, no matter what heidi montag says
eating raw meat not only puts you at risk of dangerous bacterial infections, but some studies have shown it has nothing to do with preventing fertility issues.
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eating raw meat to boost the likelihood of pregnancy is far from the only piece of misinformation spread around fertility. getty
lots of celebrities will court the paparazzi when they want attention for a new brand, or a new relationship, or to drum up attention for a new project. heidi montag, best known for her role on the 2006 to 2010 reality show “the hills” and her marriage to fellow reality star (and seller of crystal jewelry) spencer pratt, is seeking the spotlight for a new and very original reason: to draw attention to her raw meat diet.
earlier this week, montag was photographed eating an enormous raw bison heart out of a plastic bag with blood pooling at the bottom. she told people magazine that it was an attempt to help with fertility issues.
“i have been trying to get pregnant for over a year and a half, i’m willing to try different things,” she told the magazine. she’s aware that it’s risky, but doesn’t mind, she added: there’s “always risk eating raw just like eating raw sushi,” but “i just happen to like eating sushi-style organs.”
eating raw meat to get pregnant is dangerous
in case this has to be stated explicitly, there is no proven link between eating raw meat and increased fertility. there is, however, a huge amount of research showing that eating raw meat can lead to salmonella, e.coli, and other bacterial infections.
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and while it’s true that food can affect fertility to a certain extent, red meat is actually something you may want to cut down on if you’re having fertility issues. studies have found that women who ate more vegetable protein than animal protein had lower rates of infertility due to ovulation disorders, according to healthline. men who eat a lot of red and processed meats had lower sperm count, quality and motility.
eating raw meat, along with raw eggs and unpasteurized dairy, can also be harmful in early pregnancy because of the risk of parasites or food poisoning. raw meat carries the additional risk of toxoplasmosis, a very common parasite that can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or organ damage to the baby.
why eating only meat, all the time, is bad for your health
it’s also true, as montag claims, that organ meats are nutrient-dense. but that doesn’t mean people should be eating them all the time.
“there are issues with potential micronutrient [vitamin and mineral] deficiencies,” dr. beth mayer-davis, chair of the nutrition department at the university of north carolina, chapel hill told the guardian about raw meat diets. “fibre, for instance, is a non-nutritive substance in food that has a crucial function in the gut and in health in the context of a more typical diet. that would be a concern.”
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an all-meat diet also means eating “excessive protein and excessive saturated fat,” nutritionist dr. lisa young told the paper. “it could clog your arteries. it could cause heart disease — and bowel movement problems too.”
the healthiest diet is one that’s varied. different food contains different micronutrients, which is why “a key premise of healthy diet is variety and selection of food,” mayer-davis explained.
what’s safe to eat raw?
there are some foods that are relatively safe to eat raw, like sushi or steak tartare. those are prepared in a way that minimizes the possibility of food poisoning, although there is still a risk. (plus, tartare is a delicacy — it’s meant to be eaten occasionally, not every day.)
montag told people that she got the idea from research by dr. paul saladino, a proponent of the “carnivore diet.” saladino, endorses a diet made up almost entirely of meat, with exceptions for a few foods like squash and cucumber without skin or seeds. he believes most vegetables, as well as seeds, nuts and beans, are actually harmful. plants, saladino claims, are responsible for almost all autoimmune illnesses, skin diseases, and psychiatric disorders. (he also rejects toothpaste and sunscreen as dangerous to our health.)
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unsurprisingly, saladino sells supplements made from animal organs that he claims will aid weight loss, enhance memory and mood, improve cardiovascular health, and “reinforce your manhood,” ranging in price, from $28 to $74 per bottle.
a carnivore diet, which seems absurd and unhealthy, has supporters, including jordan peterson. (the maintenance phase podcast has started a two-episode series about the fad diet, for those interested in a deep dive on where these claims come from and why they’ve caught on with particular groups of people.)
misinformation around pregnancy and childbirth is rampant
eating raw meat to boost the likelihood of pregnancy is far from the only piece of misinformation spread around fertility, pregnancy and childbirth. false claims about how vaccines affect pregnancy are rampant on pregnancy apps, for instance. and many public figures endorse the idea of consuming their placenta after childbirth, claiming it could decrease the risk of postpartum depression, decrease fatigue, and improve lactation results. by the way, health canada has stated that human placenta products are not authorized for consumption in canada: it can contain infectious bacteria and viruses including hepatitis and hiv, which can infect new parents and their children.
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“while consuming placenta is a personal choice, we are advising mothers, and others who may be consuming placenta preparations that they should be aware of the potential risks associated with the practice for themselves and their babies,” is the advice on health canada’s website.
maija kappler is a reporter and editor at healthing. you can reach her at mkappler@postmedia.com
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