While pregnancy is a wonderful time is every woman’s life, it has many ups and downs, especially when it comes to diet. Since pregnant ladies should be aware of foods to eat and foods to avoid during pregnancy, one of their questions is that; “Can I eat ham while pregnant?”
Overall, it is best to avoid consuming foods like ham or Prosciutto when pregnant; however, you can consume these foods once in a while if you follow the guidelines.
In this article on Hipregnancy, we will answer the top questions regarding the consumption of ham while pregnant, that might be your question too. So, if you want to learn more about ham and pregnancy, keep reading this article to the end.
Can pregnant woman eat ham?
Pregnant ladies should avoid consuming foods that tend to contain harmful bacteria and parasites. For instance, eating foods like lunch meat while pregnant can higher the risk of infections, like listeriosis and toxoplasmosis.
The same goes for ham! That means it is better not to eat ham while pregnant, but if you crave for it, only have the well-cooked ones instead of undercooked or cured varieties. Consider, consuming undercooked meat like ham in pregnancy can put your overall health at risk and cause serious damage to the developing fetus.
It is advisable to consult your healthcare provider before adding ham into your diet while pregnant. Your doctor might not agree with consuming it and might think it is not a good option for you and your baby as well.
Are you ready to learn more about the pregnancy-safe varieties of ham or how to include ham in your diet? If yes, let’s continue.
Also Read: Best Sandwiches For Pregnancy
What ham is safe to eat when pregnant?
According to our studies on hi pregnancy, it is better to limit your consumption of ham during pregnancy, to prevent any potential risks including listeriosis, salmonella, or toxoplasmosis. The same goes for eating bacon when pregnant, as it is made from pork similar to ham.
Whenever you want to eat ham while pregnant, only have the cooked ones, not cured, cold, or undercooked ham; because,
- Cold, cured, or undercooked ham can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses as well.
- Cured ham has a high content of salt, which is forbidden during pregnancy and can increase blood pressure, followed by preeclampsia.
To avoid any possible dangers, try to consume cooked hams, or if you want to prepare ham at home, cook it until steaming hot. Here are some examples of safe hams for pregnant ladies, including;
- Baked hams which are served hot, like Smithfield, City or Country hams
- Cooked hams on pizza, such as Prosciutto, Parma, and Iberico ham (only cooked until steaming hot)
- Cubed and cooked hams, used as salad toppings or in sauces, like Pancetta
Hipregnancy recommends you limit your ham intake while pregnant, even the cooked varieties. Instead, eat pregnancy superfoods, that can provide your body the essential nutrients needed to support a healthy pregnancy.
Can I eat deli ham while pregnant?
Pregnant ladies are advised to avoid consuming deli ham while pregnant, due to the risk of contamination. Hams, which are available at deli, might be contaminated with parasites; therefore, it is not a good idea to have them during pregnancy.
Do you want to know what happens to hams at deli? Let us tell you!
Hams are pre-cut or carved off the bone in a deli and then stored in the refrigerator. They can be contaminated both while storing and slicing; therefore, there is a high risk for the presence of listeria and other parasites on deli ham.
Consider, cooking deli ham can make it a safer option to eat while pregnant. That means, if you want to try deli ham during pregnancy, you should cook it until steaming hot. The same guidelines for this type of cooking also apply to foods like sausage or hot dogs while pregnant.
It is totally up to you to choose your food, but to be on the safe side, it is better not to eat deli ham while pregnant, or at least have the cooked ham from deli in small quantities.
Can you eat honey baked ham while pregnant?
Honey baked ham is one of the most delicious dishes of ham that everyone enjoys. You may want to try this food while pregnant, but is it safe for you and your baby?
Fortunately, honey baked ham is a safe dish for pregnant ladies, as long as it is thoroughly cooked and served hot. Consider, you should eat pasteurized honey during pregnancy, but in this dish, honey will be cooked beside ham.
Therefore, you don’t need be worried of using raw honey in honey baked ham. The baking process can kill all parasites and bacteria.
There is a point you should be aware of. Since honey is a type of added sugar, you should not overeat honey baked ham, if you are at the risk of
- Excessive weight gain,
- High blood sugar levels,
- And allergy
Note: Allergic reactions to honey during pregnancy (including bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, irritation of gastrointestinal tract) are rare. However, if you experience one of these symptoms after consuming honey baked ham in pregnancy, contact your doctor to prevent any serious issues.
How to eat ham when pregnant?
Now, it is obvious that you should eat cooked ham during pregnancy. But, it is good to take a look at the following tips to be aware of the right way to include ham in your diet.
- If you want to eat ham in pregnancy, cook it until steaming hot to an internal temperature of 160F to destroy harmful bacteria.
- When you decide to eat precooked ham, cook it around temperature of 140F.
- If you want to add honey, milk, egg, or cheese to your ham dish, it is best to use pasteurized ones.
- It is advised to eat homemade ham dishes, instead of ready-to-eat ones at restaurants.
Conclusion
As a pregnant woman, you may say; “I ate ham during pregnancy. What to do now? Can I eat ham while pregnant?” Do not be worried if you ate ham during pregnancy, as the cooked ham will not cause any issues to you and the growing baby. It is good to consult your doctor beforehand to reduce the risk of any complications.
In this article on Hipregnnacy, we tried to cover the points you needed to know regarding ham while pregnant, whether it is safe for you. Wish this article can help you have better choice on what you eat while pregnant.
Dear moms-to-be! If you have any questions or comments, do share it with us.
FAQs
1. What if I accidentally ate ham while pregnant?
Do not panic, everything will be ok after eating ham. Since you are pregnant and your immune system is at lower levels, only it cooked ham.
2. Can I eat cooked ham during pregnancy?
Eating cooked ham while pregnant is considered safe, but only in moderate amounts.
3. Can I eat cold ham while pregnant?
No, it is not a good idea to eat cold ham during pregnancy. Enjoy consuming steaming hot ham instead.
4. Can I eat thanksgiving ham while pregnant?
Yes, you can consume thanksgiving ham in pregnancy, as long as it is fully cooked and served hot.