Can I eat meat when pregnant?

Can I eat raw meat when pregnant?

Avoid

Mom! Raw meat can be infected with listeria or plasmosis parasites, causing serious ailments and fetal defects. It is very important to be careful when you are cooking - thoroughly washing and scalding dishes that have been in contact with raw meat. Also, do not try the meat during cooking! FDA recommends that beef, pork, veal, and lamb, steaks, and chops should be cooked at at least 145°F, ground beef, veal, lamb, pork at 160°F, and ground poultry at 165°F.

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Risks

Salmonella, Listeriois, Toxoplasmosis

Check common questions about: Raw meat

Can I eat smoked meat when pregnant?

Avoid

Make sure that any smoked meat, such as smoked bacon or smoked ham, is cooked thoroughly with no trace of pink or blood.

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Risks

Listeriosis

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Can I eat deli meat when pregnant?

Avoid

Deli meats are not the best products for pregnancy as they can be contaminated with listeria that can cause a lot of problems. If you cannot resist, make sure that it's fresh or reheat the meat at high temperature. At higher temperature listeria dies and can do no harm.

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Risks

Listeriosis

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Can I eat liver when pregnant?

Avoid

Liver is generally considered to be a healthy food that's rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein, but it contains high amounts of preformed vitamin A, or retinol. Preformed vitamin A is found in animal products such as eggs, milk, and liver. Too much of this type of vitamin A in your diet can cause developmental defects, especially during the first months of pregnancy. Be careful with dietary supplements which contain vitamin A as well and consult the doctor if you have any doubts.

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Can I eat liver pate when pregnant?

Avoid

No, please do not eat any type of pate during pregnancy as it can trigger Listeriosis. Symptoms are similar to the flu and they can appear from a few days to a few months after you were exposed to the bacteria. Even though it is usually a fairly mild illness, it may do me harm. Also, liver contains preformed vitamin A or retinol. Too much of this type of vitamin A in your diet can cause developmental defects, especially during the first months of pregnancy.

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Risks

Listeriosis

Check common questions about: Liver pate

Can I eat meat pate when pregnant?

Avoid

No, please do not eat any type of pate during pregnancy as it can trigger Listeriosis. Symptoms are similar to the flu and they can appear from a few days to a few months after you were exposed to the bacteria. Even though it is usually a fairly mild illness, it may do me harm. Also, liver contains preformed vitamin A or retinol. Too much of this type of vitamin A in your diet can cause developmental defects, especially during the first months of pregnancy.

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Risks

Listeriosis

Check common questions about: Meat pate

Can I eat steak (from rare to medium) when pregnant?

Avoid

Rare and medium steak can be infected with listeria or plasmosis parasites, causing serious ailments and fetal defects. It is very important to be careful when you are cooking - thoroughly washing and scalding dishes that have been in contact with raw meat. Also, do not try the meat during cooking! FDA recommends that beef, pork, veal, and lamb, steaks, and chops should be cooked at at least 145°F, ground beef, veal, lamb, pork at 160°F, and ground poultry at 165°F.

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Risks

Salmonella

Check common questions about: Steak (from rare to medium)

Can I eat steak (well done) when pregnant?

Yes

Yes, mom! You can safely enjoy a well-cooked steak. You shouldn't avoid eating good quality meat. It has a lot of nutritional properties.

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Benefits

Meat contains protein, zinc, and iron. Proteins are a primary nutrient, because they provide the building blocks necessary for the construction of tissues. Proteins are important to the development of the placenta, breast and uterine tissues, and the increase of blood volume (more haemoglobin, more plasma proteins).

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Can I eat canned meat when pregnant?

Yes

You can eat canned meat if you like it, both cold or reheated. Store it properly and eat within two days after opening.

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Benefits

Meat is an excellent source of protein and several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, niacin, and selenium.

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Can I eat sausage when pregnant?

Yes, but...

You should avoid raw sausages. Cook them well until piping hot throughout. Make sure they are bought fresh.

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Can I eat well-cooked meat when pregnant?

Yes

Well-cooked meat is meat which isn't pink on the inside. The inside temperature should not be lower than 170°F.

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Benefits

Meat is an excellent source of protein and several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, niacin, and selenium. Proteins are a primary nutrient, because they provide the building blocks necessary for the construction of tissues. Iron is especially important during pregnancy. Pregnant women are most vulnerable to iron deficiency.

Check common questions about: Well-cooked meat