As a pediatric dietitian, food safety for moms-to-be is my specialty. As you navigate this exciting time, it’s important to pay close attention to nutrition. This guide has a list of 10 foods that you should not eat while you’re pregnant and explains why. It also has my advice on the best foods to eat while you’re pregnant.
I’m often asked about the best foods to eat when pregnant. This is why I created the ultimate pregnancy nutrition guide. With that said, most foods are completely safe for pregnant women to enjoy without worry. But there are some foods that you should not eat while you are pregnant or even if you are trying to get pregnant.
Eating well-balanced and nutritious meals is especially important during pregnancy. However with so many dietary restrictions and recommendations to follow it can get confusing knowing what’s safe to eat and what to avoid. One food that often causes uncertainty is deer sausage.
So, can you eat deer sausage while pregnant? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Deer Sausage?
Deer sausage is made from venison or deer meat. It can be fresh, smoked, or cured. Some of the most common varieties include:
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Summer sausage – A type of fresh sausage usually made with a mixture of venison and pork or beef. It’s seasoned, stuffed into casings, and can be dried or smoked.
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Smoked sausage – Venison smoked sausage that’s fully cooked and smoked over a fire. Popular kinds include smoked bratwurst and kielbasa.
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Salami – A cured sausage made by fermenting ground venison mixed with salt and spices. The sausage is then air dried.
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Pepperoni – Spicy cured venison sausage usually used on pizzas and sandwiches.
Deer sausage provides lean protein and nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The fat content depends on the cut of meat used and other added ingredients.
Is It Safe to Eat Deer Sausage During Pregnancy?
Yes, it’s generally safe to eat deer sausage in moderation during pregnancy if it’s properly handled and cooked. Here are some tips for safely consuming deer sausage while pregnant:
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Choose fully cooked sausages – Opt for sausages like pepperoni, smoked kielbasa, and smoked summer sausage which have already been fully cooked during processing. This eliminates any risks from raw meat.
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Cook fresh sausages thoroughly – If you have fresh venison sausage or bratwurst, use a food thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. This kills any potential bacteria or parasites present.
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Reheat cold sausages – Cold lunch meats like deer salami and pepperoni should be reheated until steaming hot before eating. This further reduces risks.
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Practice food safety – Use proper food handling and storage methods, like quickly refrigerating sausages after opening and avoiding cross-contamination in the kitchen. This prevents bacterial growth.
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Buy from reputable sources – Purchase sausages from known local butchers and companies that follow safety protocols during processing and packaging. Avoid homemade or uninspected venison sausage.
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Use before expiration dates – Check and follow any use-by dates printed on sausage packaging. Eating expired meats ups your chance of foodborne illness.
As long as these precautions are followed, most deer sausages are perfectly fine to consume during pregnancy. The main safety concern is toxoplasmosis, which is rare in commercial meats.
Benefits of Eating Venison While Pregnant
Beyond being a tasty treat, deer sausage and other venison products offer healthy benefits during pregnancy:
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High in iron – Venison is one of the richest sources of iron, containing 2-3 times more than beef. Iron is essential for nourishing you and baby and preventing anemia.
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Rich in zinc and B vitamins – Zinc supports immunity and development. The B vitamins aid energy levels and red blood cell production.
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Lower in fat and calories – Venison is much leaner than beef and pork, meaning less saturated fat and calories per serving. This can help manage pregnancy weight gain.
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High protein – Deer meat is an excellent source of complete protein needed for proper fetal growth and maintaining maternal muscles and tissues.
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Low mercury – Unlike some fish, venison contains only negligible amounts of mercury. This makes it safer during pregnancy.
So enjoying the right venison products can provide key nutrients for mom and baby without excess calories or toxins.
Are There Any Risks or Precautions With Deer Sausage?
While deer sausage and meat are considered safe if handled properly, there are some potential risks and precautions to keep in mind:
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Undercooked meats – Raw or rare venison may contain Toxoplasma gondii, bacteria, or parasites. Thorough cooking kills these and lowers disease risks.
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Toxoplasmosis – This infection is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii which may rarely be found in raw or undercooked venison. It can harm the fetus if contracted during pregnancy. Proper cooking and hygiene helps prevent toxoplasmosis.
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Foodborne illness – E. coli, salmonella, and listeria are bacteria that could contaminate deer meat leading to food poisoning. Again, following food safety guidelines reduces this risk.
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Allergies – Some sausage ingredients like pork or spices may cause allergic reactions in sensitive women. Check labels carefully if you have known food allergies.
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Nitrates – Cured sausages often contain nitrates and nitrites to preserve them. Very high intakes are linked with certain cancers so moderation is key.
While not common, being aware of these potential issues can help pregnant women make informed choices about eating deer sausage.
Healthy and Safe Ways To Enjoy Deer Sausage
Here are some healthy tips for savoring venison sausage while pregnant:
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Grill or pan-fry bratwurst, breakfast links, or Italian sausage patties. Cook to 165°F.
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Add crumbled and pre-cooked smoked sausage to soups, chili, pasta sauce, or casseroles.
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Enjoy a venison sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich.
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Top pizza with sliced pepperoni and bake until steaming and crispy.
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Stuff mushrooms with lean venison sausage meat and bake until done.
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Microwave leftover sliced summer sausage for 15-20 seconds until hot. Eat in a sandwich or with cheese and crackers.
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Bake a sheet pan full of sausage pieces mixed with vegetables like potatoes, peppers, onions, and carrots.
With some common-sense precautions, pregnant women can continue to enjoy the delicious taste of venison sausage. Choosing fully cooked options and using proper handling methods are key to staying safe. In moderation, deer sausage can be a tasty source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for mom and growing baby.
Certain dairy products
Also, milk and milk products are very healthy and, for the most part, safe to eat while pregnant. But milk or cheese made with unpasteurized milk should be avoided due to the risk of listeria.
Experts disagree about the safety of soft cheeses like Brie, feta, and goat. Someone says they’re fine as long as they’re pasteurized, while someone else says you should never eat them.
If you want to play it 100% safe, avoid soft cheese altogether during pregnancy (including feta and goat). If you can’t live without feta cheese (hello, Greek salad), check the label or call the company that makes the cheese to make sure it has been pasteurized.
If you’re not sure, don’t eat it. Was the fruit washed before it was juiced? Was the equipment clean? Was it kept in the fridge? It should be fine to wash and then juice at home as long as the fruits and vegetables are clean and the equipment is clean. Also, smoothies are much better for you during pregnancy because they contain more nutrients and the fiber from the fruits and vegetables, not just the juice!
Yes, you should eat a lot of vegetables every day, whether you’re pregnant or not. But to avoid getting Toxoplasmosis, make sure your vegetables are really clean. This is because the soil where they are grown may be contaminated.
If you’re needing plant-based recipe inspiration, you’re going to love these cookbooks!
Can pregnant women consume smoked salmon?
Because there are so many kinds of smoked salmon and their safety depends on so many things, it’s hard to say what kind of food is safe for pregnant women to eat.
“Hot smoked salmon,” or smoked salmon that was cooked during the smoking process, is safe for pregnant women to eat. “Cold smoked salmon” can be eaten as long as it’s shelf-stable or fully cooked. Ready-to-eat refrigerated smoked salmon should be avoided unless fully cooked to steaming prior to consuming. This is because of both the risk of Listeria contamination, as well as infection from parasitic worms. Yikes! No, thank you.
Can you eat deer meat while pregnant? Here’s the answer
FAQ
Can I eat deer meat while pregnant?
Can you eat smoked deer sausage while pregnant?
Is deer sausage fully cooked?
Can you eat sausage meat when pregnant?
Can pregnant women eat deer meat?
Deer meat is also known as Venison. There have been many questions by pregnant women regarding the safety of consuming deer meat while pregnant. You must cook the deer meat to an internal temperature of 160 – 165 degrees depending on the type of meat and current recommendations to ensure that the deer meat is cooked completely.
Is it safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy?
It is safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy as long as it comes from a reliable source, with appropriate hygienic and sanitary conditions for pre-preparation, preparation and packaging of this food.
Is it safe to eat sausage during pregnancy?
Yes, sausage is safe to consume during pregnancy. But as with any other meat, it is necessary that you cook it at the right temperature, for the right time, so that it is cooked to the core with no juices inside. However, as mentioned before, it is safe to eat but not the healthiest choice as it can lead to some unnecessary pregnancy complications.
Can you eat cooked sausage?
Any type of sausage that is freshly cooked is safe to eat, provided that you eat it while it’s still hot and not after it’s been sitting out a while. You’ll need to pay attention to temperature, too, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): For sausage made with lamb, pork, beef, or veal, aim for an internal temperature of 160°F (71.1°C).