Turkey is a staple food for many during the holidays and year-round. But if you’re expecting, you may wonder if turkey is safe to eat during pregnancy. With all the warnings about avoiding deli meats, raw eggs and undercooked poultry, it’s natural for pregnant women to have questions about eating turkey.
In this article, I’ll discuss in detail whether turkey is safe for pregnant women, preparation methods to lower risk, portion sizes to stick to and tips for handling and storing leftovers My goal is to empower you with the knowledge you need to make informed choices about turkey consumption during pregnancy.
Is Turkey Safe During Pregnancy?
The short answer is yes turkey is generally safe for pregnant women when properly handled and cooked. According to the CDC poultry including chicken and turkey is a safer choice when cooked thoroughly to the proper internal temperature.
However, consuming raw or undercooked poultry does pose a higher risk of foodborne illness during pregnancy. Eating deli-style luncheon turkey or reheating turkey improperly can also increase risks. As long as you take precautions in purchasing prepping and storing turkey, it can absolutely be part of a healthy prenatal diet.
Reduce Risks Through Proper Cooking
To minimize risks associated with turkey and other poultry, always cook it thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer. Check the thickest part of the breast and thigh to verify doneness.
This temperature kills any potentially harmful bacteria like salmonella or listeria that could be present. Letting the turkey rest for a few minutes before carving also allows the temperature to evenly distribute.
Some additional turkey safety tips include:
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Never eat raw or undercooked turkey.
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Cook stuffing separately to 165°F if baked inside turkey.
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Use a food thermometer to verify ground turkey reaches 160°F.
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Reheat all leftovers to 165°F. Gravy should boil before consuming.
As long as you properly cook turkey to the recommended safe internal temperatures, it should be safe to eat while pregnant.
Look for Quality Deli or Lunch Turkey
Many pregnant women are told to avoid deli meats like turkey due to the risk of listeria, a bacteria that can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. However, not all deli turkey is created equal in terms of safety.
The CDC considers heated lunch meats and high-quality, fresher deli turkey options to be low risk in pregnancy. To reduce risks from deli or lunch turkey:
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Choose turkey sliced fresh at the deli counter, not pre-packaged.
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Look for turkey sealed in an airtight package without discoloration or odor.
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Consume deli meats within 3-5 days of opening.
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Heat all lunch meats to steaming 165°F before eating.
As long as you take care in selecting and properly heating lunch turkey, there’s minimal cause for concern. Talk to your doctor about how much turkey is right for you.
Practice Care with Leftovers
One question many pregnant women have is whether leftover turkey is safe. As with any leftovers, proper storage and reheating is key. Here are some tips for handling turkey leftovers during pregnancy:
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Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking in shallow containers.
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Use refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days and frozen leftovers within 2-3 months.
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Divide stuffing and gravy into smaller containers for quick chilling.
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Reheat thoroughly until steaming, 165°F or higher. Don’t just warm!
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Bring gravy to a boil before consuming again.
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Consider freezing leftovers for longer storage.
Following safe food handling practices lowers the risk of food poisoning from leftovers. Make sure to reheat turkey thoroughly before making sandwiches or casseroles.
Watch Portion Sizes
While turkey is generally considered safe in pregnancy, it’s smart to avoid overdoing it on portions. The American Pregnancy Association recommends limiting turkey to no more than 2 or 3 servings per week to minimize exposure to bacteria or excess mercury.
Here is what counts as a serving:
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2-3 oz sliced turkey breast
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3-4 oz roasted turkey leg or wing
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1 small turkey burger or meatballs
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1⁄2 cup diced or shredded turkey
Aim for no more than 12 oz of turkey per week as part of a balanced prenatal diet. Always heat deli-style turkey before eating.
Talk to Your Doctor
These are general guidelines on consuming turkey during pregnancy, but your doctor may provide more customized recommendations based on your medical history and risk factors. Be sure to discuss any concerns about eating turkey with your prenatal care provider.
Some women are advised to avoid turkey completely if they have weakened immune systems or conditions like gestational diabetes that increase infection risks. But for most women, enjoying turkey in moderation is perfectly safe with proper handling.
The bottom line is that turkey can be part of an overall healthy diet during pregnancy when prepared properly. Following safe handling, cooking and storage practices can help pregnant women reduce the risks and enjoy turkey safely. As always, check with your doctor about any dietary restrictions before chowing down.
Frequently Asked Questions about Turkey and Pregnancy
Here are answers to some common questions pregnant moms have about eating turkey:
Is turkey lunch meat safe during pregnancy?
In moderation, yes. The key is choosing fresh deli turkey, heating it to steaming before eating and avoiding overdoing portions.
Can I eat turkey if I’m pregnant?
Turkey is considered safe in pregnancy when properly cooked to the recommended safe internal temperature of 165°F. Avoid raw or undercooked turkey.
Is roasted turkey safe during pregnancy?
Yes, roast turkey is safe for pregnant women when cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer. Let rest before carving.
Can turkey be undercooked while pregnant?
No, pregnant women should never consume raw or undercooked turkey, as it may contain harmful bacteria. Always cook turkey thoroughly to 165°F.
How should I reheat turkey when pregnant?
Leftover turkey should be reheated to 165°F or higher before consuming to prevent food poisoning. Bring gravy to a boil before reheating as well.
Can I eat cold deli turkey sandwiches while pregnant?
Only if you heat the lunch meat first. Cold cuts increase the risk of listeria. Thoroughly heat all lunch meats until steaming before making sandwiches.
Is ground turkey safe during pregnancy?
Yes, as long as it is cooked to the proper internal temperature of 160°F. Check ground turkey with a food thermometer before eating to be safe.
The key is properly handling, cooking and storing turkey. When in doubt, consult your doctor about the best diet and food safety practices for your pregnancy.
Eating Deli Meats During Your Pregnancy: Is it Safe?
Deli meats refer to cooked meats that have been sliced and prepared for a sandwich and other light dining options. 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 – whole cuts of meat that have been cooked and then sliced
- Sectioned – restructured meats from chunks or pieces bonded to create a single 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?
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. However, the problem for pregnant women is they are more susceptible to get it and their developing babies are more vulnerable to serious complications and even death.
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. When it comes to deli meats it is important you know that the likelihood of being exposed to Listeria is low. On the flip side, you need to know that if your developing baby is exposed to Listeria it can be devastating.