is uncured ham safe during pregnancy

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Can You Eat Uncured Ham When Pregnant? Safely Navigating the Dos and Don’ts

Pregnancy comes with a long list of foods to avoid, and cured meats like ham often top that list With so many types of ham on the market, it can get confusing figuring out which are okay for expectant mothers to eat Can you indulge in some uncured ham while pregnant? Let’s dive into the details.

What is Uncured Ham?

Uncured ham refers to any ham that is not cured with nitrates or nitrites during processing. Traditional curing uses these preservatives to extend shelf life and add color. Uncured ham relies on natural curing methods like salt, sugar, and spices instead.

Some common varieties of uncured ham include:

  • Country ham
  • Serrano ham
  • Iberico ham
  • Prosciutto
  • Speck
  • Jamon Serrano

These products are dry-cured rather than cooked. They are served cold, often sliced paper-thin.

Is Uncured Ham Safe During Pregnancy?

The short answer is no – uncured ham is not considered safe to eat during pregnancy. Here’s why:

Parasite Risk

Uncured ham is not cooked, meaning potential toxoplasma parasites may still be alive in the meat. Toxoplasmosis can cause serious birth defects if contracted while pregnant.

The curing process makes it unlikely, but not impossible, for parasites to survive. However, health agencies consider the risk too high to recommend uncured ham for pregnant women.

Bacteria Concerns

Uncured ham can also harbor Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, another dangerous food poisoning risk in pregnancy. Again, the lengthy dry-curing reduces this chance but does not eliminate it fully.

The lack of cooking means any bacteria present are still active. Pregnant women have suppressed immune systems, making symptoms worse than in the general population if exposed.

Contamination Issues

With deli-style uncured hams, there are also contamination concerns at the processing facility or on deli equipment. Slicers used for both cured and uncured meats could pass bacteria or parasites to the uncured ham.

For all these reasons, public health guidance unanimously recommends avoiding uncured or dried hams during pregnancy as a precaution. The most sensitive time is early pregnancy when organ development occurs, but it’s wise to abstain throughout.

When Uncured Ham is Safer

The only time uncured ham becomes lower-risk for pregnant women is when it’s thoroughly cooked. High heat from grilling, baking, broiling, or frying will kill any parasites or bacteria present.

For example, it’s considered safe to eat uncured ham when:

  • Baked on a pizza at 400+ degrees F until piping hot

  • Added to pasta sauce or soup and simmered for 10+ minutes

  • Pan-fried into cubes as a topping for salad or eggs

  • Grilled or added to a hot sandwich at 165+ degrees F internally

As long as the uncured ham reaches sustained, steaming hot temperatures throughout, it eliminates the raw meat risks. But this rules out simply eating it cold.

Alternatives to Uncured Ham in Pregnancy

To stay on the safe side, pregnant women have plenty of other protein-rich options, like:

  • Cooked ham

  • Hard salami

  • Beef jerky

  • Roast turkey

  • Peanut butter

  • Baked chicken

  • Eggs

  • Tuna

  • Beans and lentils

By avoiding uncured deli meats, heating them thoroughly, and choosing nutritious alternatives, pregnant women can still get great sources of protein without risking their health. Speak to your doctor about any questions on which foods are safest.

The Bottom Line

Cured, raw hams may seem like an easy snack, but they do carry real risks if eaten during pregnancy. Cooking uncured ham eliminates bacteria and parasite concerns. But for hassle-free safety, pregnant women should choose other proteins that are already fully cooked. With so many nutritious options, it’s easy to skip risky lunch meats yet still eat well.

is uncured ham safe during pregnancy

Why Can’t Pregnant Women Eat Deli Meat?

More than likely you have heard someone share their advice about not eating deli meats while pregnant. You have probably heard others share personal stories about eating deli meats and everything turning out fine.

The good news is that the probability of experiencing a problem from deli meats is very unlikely. Approximately 2,500 individuals will become infected with Listeria annually. This means it is extremely rare. But the problem is that pregnant women are more likely to get it, and their developing babies are more likely to have serious problems or even die.

The federal government has taken huge steps in helping to prevent the spread, or exposure, to Listeria. Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking. Cold cuts are now sprayed with a food additive that helps prevent Listeria before packaging.

You don’t need to panic if you are pregnant and have been eating deli meats. The probabilities are in your favor that nothing has happened. It’s important to know that the chance of getting Listeria from deli meats is low. The other thing you should know is that Listeria can be very bad for your developing baby if it gets it.

Eating Deli Meats During Your Pregnancy: Is it Safe?

Deli meats are cooked meats that have been sliced and ready to go in a sandwich or another light meal. These could easily be called sandwich meat, lunch meat, cold cuts, or sliced meats. Deli meats can be classified as whole cuts, sectioned or formed meats, or processed meats. All types will fall into one of these three categories.

  • Whole cut means whole pieces of meat that have been cooked and then cut into thin slices.
  • Sectioned: meats that have been rearranged from chunks or pieces that have been glued together to make one piece
  • Processed – similar to sectioned, but may include meat by-products

Deli meats are one of the most common food items across the country. They are found in food chains, grocery stores, and local delis. Because they are so common, many people are surprised to discover there is a negative relationship with pregnancy. Deli meats and pregnancy concerns often have people asking what is wrong with lunch meat during pregnancy?.

Are deli meats safe during pregnancy? Dietitian explains

FAQ

Is cured or uncured meat better for pregnancy?

There’s a small chance that you’ll get food poisoning from eating cured meats such as chorizo and salami, even if you buy them chilled and keep them refrigerated . That’s why the NHS says to be careful with cured meats in pregnancy, unless they are cooked thoroughly .

Can I eat cooked uncured ham while pregnant?

Cooked ham in pregnancy? Yes, you can! Thanks to the high temperature production process, cooked ham is a safe product for moms-to-be. This treatment removes bacteria and protozoa, including toxoplasma.

Is uncured ham still considered processed?

Uncured ham is made without injecting the same chemical brine, smoke, or flavorings used in cured meat, and is generally considered a healthier option due to the lack of additives. It is important to note, however, that uncured ham is still processed and may not be completely free of additives.

Can I have uncured meat while pregnant?

Follow safe food handling guidelines and don’t eat raw or undercooked meat while pregnant. Also, avoid eating deli or lunch meats, bacon, and hot dogs during pregnancy unless you heat these meats until they’re steaming hot or 165 degrees F.

Can you eat ham during pregnancy?

Here’s the bottom line on ham (and other deli meats) during pregnancy: Nearly all types of food can carry listeria, not just deli meats. According to the CDC, pregnant women are ten times more likely to get sick from listeria. However, listeriosis, while very serious, is still extremely rare.

Can pregnant women eat deli ham cold?

It’s really down to you to decide, but pregnant women are generally advised to avoid eating deli ham cold for these reasons. The same guidelines about cooking also apply to deli ham – if you heat it up thoroughly until it’s steaming hot, then any potential listeria bacteria will be killed and the ham will be safer to eat.

Can you eat Parma ham during pregnancy?

The NHS advises being cautious with Parma ham or other cured meats during pregnancy, unless it is cooked throughly. This is because cold cured meats like Parma ham are not typically cooked before serving, so may contain the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, an infection which can cause miscarriage.

Is Ham safe to eat if you have a baby?

Opt for fully cooked ham products. Avoid Raw or Undercooked Ham: Steer clear of raw or undercooked ham, including products like prosciutto and Parma ham, as they may contain harmful pathogens that can affect you and your baby. Storage and Handling: Practice proper food safety by storing ham at safe temperatures and preventing cross-contamination.

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