Can I Eat Beef Jerky While Pregnant? You’ve probably heard that you shouldn’t eat anything undercooked when you’re pregnant. This is because undercooked animal products can carry harmful bacteria, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. Plus, pregnancy can weaken your immune system, which means you may not be able to fight off harmful bacteria. This will affect both you and your unborn child. While beef jerky isn’t raw in the traditional sense, it’s still not a good idea to eat it while you’re pregnant.
Why Can not I Eat Beef Jerky While Pregnant?
Avoiding toxoplasmosis
If you are pregnant, you should avoid eating beef jerky. This snack contains undercooked meat and is likely to be contaminated with Toxoplasma gondi, a parasite that can cause severe problems for the unborn child. This parasite is transmitted by contact with undercooked meat and cat feces. In addition to the risk of Toxoplasmosis, eating beef jerky while pregnant can increase your risk of preterm labor or preeclampsia. Instead of eating beef jerky, you should opt for a plant-based alternative.
Although toxoplasmosis is not common in healthy people, it is important for pregnant women to avoid it, since toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects. Also, eating beef jerky during pregnancy can spike blood pressure, which can increase the risk of preterm labor and preeclampsia.
Avoiding undercooked meats
Pregnant women should avoid undercooked meats to avoid catching salmonella or toxoplasmosis, which can lead to severe illnesses. These infections can cause fever, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, the infections can even be life-threatening, which is why avoiding undercooked meats during pregnancy is crucial.
Undercooked meats can contain a variety of bacteria, including E. coli. Although many strains are harmless, others are dangerous to your health. Consuming undercooked meats can make you sick. When you get sick from eating undercooked meat, you will suffer from abdominal cramps, fever, and bloody diarrhea. The bacteria in raw meat can be passed on to your unborn baby, which means you are at risk for miscarriage, premature delivery, or birth defects.
Avoiding jerky
While beef jerky is a satisfying snack, consuming it while pregnant is not recommended. The raw meat contains bacteria that can harm your unborn baby. Although smoking or drying meat reduces the risk of bacteria, you should always cook meat before consuming it. Jerky also contains a high salt content, which can lead to high blood pressure and even preeclampsia.
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The bacteria Toxoplasma is present in raw beef, which can be harmful to an unborn baby if it is not treated immediately. However, commercially produced jerky is considered safe for consumption. If you want to enjoy beef jerky, choose those that are made with low or no fat.
Avoiding nitrites
The health risks of nitrates are well-known, and pregnant women should be very careful about the amount of beef jerky they consume during pregnancy. In high doses, they can cause high blood pressure and increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Nitrites are carcinogenic and may increase the risk of heart disease and other health conditions.
Nitrites are commonly used as a preservative in processed meats. They break down to nitrosamines when they are absorbed into the body. The body is highly sensitive to nitrites, and the compounds are linked to an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. Avoiding beef jerky while pregnant can prevent these health risks and save your baby’s unborn baby from suffering from a wide range of ailments.
Avoiding bacteria
If you’re planning to eat beef jerky while pregnant, you need to be extra cautious about the ingredients. The low-temperature meat can harbor harmful bacteria that can lead to infections. Among them is a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which can cause a severe infection in the mother and baby. Other bacteria found in low-temperature meats include salmonella and listeria. These bacteria are especially harmful to pregnant women.
Although beef jerky is made from lean meat, the process used to make it is not thoroughly cooked. In order to preserve the meat for long periods of time, large amounts of salt are added. Despite the salt and other preservatives used, the beef may still contain bacteria. Consequently, pregnant women should avoid these foods. They should instead aim for a balanced diet consisting of lean protein, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables. It is also advisable to consult with your doctor about a specific pregnancy diet.
