'Cooling Foods'

Does anyone know where i can find a list of what are considered 'cooling' foods in Chinese society? Eventhough i am half Chinese, i don't know what not to eat when pregnant. My Mum almost killed me when she saw me eat watermelon. I searched and found no lists...i know only the basics. Can anyone tell me if they know of a list or at least post a few of the common 'cooling' foods to avoid? Thanks!

i'm 100% chinese and i think the cooling foods advice is just nonsense!

i LOVE watermelons and they are a fabulous thirst quencher. ate them with no. 1, now expecting no. 2, still eating them.


i'm guessing this is your 1st pregnancy and therefore concerned with your diet during pregnancy. my personal opinion is to ignore the old wives tales...including rubbish like pineapples causing miscarriages, eating crabs will produce a very naughty child, etc...the list goes on and on!!


what you should be concerned about is whether a particular food can make you and your baby ill. example, soft unpasteurised cheeses, pates, not 100% cooked meats, deli items....some women eat them and are fine but the one bad item you eat could give you listeria and make your baby very ill (miscarriage, birth defects and all). so it's your call if you want to take the risk or not.


or say your doc says you have high sugar levels which is not good for the pregnancy, cut down on sugary food. pregnancy is challenging enough as it is on its own, don't make it a bigger minefield by stressing yourself out with the cooling food and what not myths. when it comes to eating during pregnancy, it's all about moderation and avoiding food medically proven that could make you very sick and as a result, your baby too. eating a well-balanced diet that will ensure the well-being of you and your unborn child is more important.


good luck with your pregnancy!

Thank you Wheelymate. It is my first pregnancy and i am just worried about the foods i eat but i think i will just eat in moderation!

hi there,


recently there was a thread on why pregnant women are supposed to abstain from eating bananas. the thread diverted to the cooling food topic, you might want to read it for interest:


http://singapore.asiaxpat.com/forums/pregnancyfertility/threads/103237.asp

Agree with Wheelymate! I'm 100% Chinese and also like her, I had watermelons during both my pregnancies and my babies both turned out healthy and well. I actually managed to dig up a site (the American Watermelon Growers Association or something like that) that published why it is GOOD to eat watermelons while pregnant!


Don't get too stressed out about cooling foods, etc. Eat sensibly, healthily and in moderation. Good luck!

#3 pregnancy.


Massive watermelon eater all three pregnancies. First two -babies are just fine. Eat what you like, what makes you feel good...and as Cara says, if it doesn't make you hurl, that's good.