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Eating Placenta: Bon Appetit!
by Jamie Harper
Updated: Aug. 31, 2013
Originally Published: Sep. 2, 2011
If there’s one thing motherhood has instilled in me, it’s the importance of keeping an open mind. Sure, I used to scoff at those Nerf guns and character t-shirts, but now they seem to be a staple in our lives. Once, I found the idea of using a leash for toddlers at amusement parks to be outrageous, but now it makes perfect sense. Even toddler bikinis have grown on me.
But let’s be real—I’m not immune to judgment.
This morning, a friend sent me a link to an article from New York Magazine titled “The Placenta Cookbook.” I clicked through on an empty stomach and instantly lost my appetite for breakfast. The article featured a woman named Laura, who, after transitioning from veganism and raw food diets, craved organ meats during her pregnancy. She shared her experience of tossing a piece of placenta into her Vitamix with coconut water and a banana. Her description of the experience was intense, comparing it to sipping green juice on an empty stomach—but way stronger. One husband even likened the taste to dry, gamy jerky. Cue the dry heave.
Naturally, I couldn’t help but share this on Facebook so others could join me in my disgust. The general consensus? Gross. Yuck. Gag. My kind of people.
However, a few brave souls chimed in, advocating for a woman’s autonomy over her body and her choices. They weren’t entirely wrong; it is her placenta after all. As long as I don’t have to eat it in a stew, it doesn’t affect me at all. One comment made me chuckle: “Eating the placenta, which grew inside of YOU, is way less weird than consuming another animal. Are you also against breastfeeding?” Because, you know, those two things are totally identical.
To the one who encouraged me to give placenta a try, claiming it can be a delicacy when prepared properly, I must respectfully decline. If I can barely handle chicken, I think I’ll pass on consuming human organs, thanks.
In the meantime, I might just shed a few pounds since my appetite seems to have vanished. Anyone in the mood for stew?
This article was originally published on Sep. 2, 2011.
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Summary:
In a humorous reflection on the topic of placenta eating, the author shares her initial disbelief and eventual acceptance of various parenting choices. The article discusses a friend’s experience with consuming placenta and the mixed reactions it garnered, sparking conversations on bodily autonomy and parenting decisions. While some find the practice acceptable, the author firmly stands by her aversion to the idea.