Pregnant, some cold cuts should be avoided because of the risk of toxoplasmosis and listeriosis. Sausage, chorizo, foie gras or ham… Update on authorized or prohibited charcuterie during pregnancy, with Magali Le Mardeley, dietician.
Pregnantcravings for deli can be difficult to manage. A slice of sausage, a slice of Serrano ham, a slice of rillette… Contrary to what one might think, deli meats should not be completely avoided in your diet during pregnancy. On the other hand, it is advisable not to eat any type of cold cuts in view of the risks of toxoplasmosis and listeriosis that certain meats present and which can be harmful for the fetus. Which deli meats are allowed and which to avoid? What charcuterie can you eat with raclette? Magali Le Mardeley, dietician, sheds some light on this subject.
Is delicatessen prohibited during pregnancy?
All the deli meats are not prohibited during pregnancy. However, due to microbiological risks, pregnant women must obviously be even more attentive to the charcuterie they consume, both in terms of quantity and quality. “Deli meats are high in salt and saturated fatty acids. Some also contain nitrite salts used as preservatives. It is therefore important to limit cold cuts to less than 150 g per week, even outside of pregnancy.explains Magali Le Mardeley, dietitian.
What are the risks associated with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy?
There toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that can be found in raw or undercooked meat and poorly washed vegetables or fruits. Although toxoplasmosis is most often asymptomatic outside of pregnancy, it can have very serious consequences in case of congenital infection (premature delivery, psychomotor retardation, visual disturbances, etc.). For this, it is important to take measures for limit the risk of contamination. “Strict hygiene and dietary measures must be applied: elimination of raw meatswashing of hands, surfaces, kitchen utensils, regular cleaning of the fridge, sufficient cooking of meat, washing of raw vegetables, fruits and vegetables to eliminate traces of soil“, recommends the specialist.
If I am immune to toxoplasmosis, can I eat cold cuts when pregnant?
For women immunized against toxoplasmosis, the consumption of cold cuts is not prohibited. “However, it is preferable to consume it vacuum-packed and not cut“, recommends the dietitian. Also beware of certain types of cooked meats such as rillettes, foie gras, jellied meats which can be infected by the Listeria bacteria, responsible for listeriosis.
“It is preferable to consume vacuum-packed deli meats and not sliced.”
What are the risks of listeriosis during pregnancy?
Cold meats and deli meats can also be contaminated with listeriosis and more specifically the Listeria bacteria. If we talk a lot more about toxoplasmosis during pregnancy because it is a more common disease, the risk of contracting listeriosis is not zero, just like the consequences on the fetus (premature birth, miscarriage). To guard against the risk of infection with the Listeria bacterium, the website of the Ministry of Health recalls that pregnant women mustavoid cooked or raw meat products consumed as is (cooked or raw ham, jelly products, foie gras, pâté, rillettes, etc.)“.
What deli meats to avoid during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, raw meat should be banned. Farewell then tartarsTHE carpaccio but also the raw hams (parma, serrano, dry ham) and charcuterie made from raw or undercooked meat such as sausage and chorizo. On the other hand, no cooked meat is strictly speaking to be avoided, apart from game and the liver meat. Here are the meats and cold cuts to avoid when you are pregnant:
- sausage
- bacon
- Ham
- Grison meat
- dried duck breast
- dry sausage
- rosette
- Figatellu
- pancetta
- coppa
- bologna
- black pudding and white pudding, unless sufficiently cooked
Which cooked cold cuts should I avoid when pregnant?
If we talk a lot about the risk inherent in the consumption of raw meats during pregnancy, certain products of cooked meats are also to be avoided because of the risk of listeriosis. This is particularly the case for cooked charcuterie products requiring cold storage:
- rillettes
- pasta
- jelly products
- foie gras
- Game and liver meat
What deli meats are allowed during pregnancy?
To eat cold cuts when you are pregnant, you must cook meat at high temperature (at least 67°C) to kill parasites possible. If and only if it is cooked at high temperature, you can all these meats, namely:
- beef
- chicken
- turkey
- calf
- lamb
- pork
- duck
- sausages cooked to perfection: merguez, chipolata, pork, beef and poultry sausages
- cooked ham
- turkey and chicken fillets
What deli meats can I eat while pregnant with raclette?
If the desire for a raclette comes to you during your pregnancy, know that you can eat mainly cooked white ham and vacuum-packed, but also slices of cooked turkey or chicken breast. Note that for raclette, you must also pay attention to the type of cheese that you consume.
Can you eat charcuterie on a pizza?
Pregnant, it is possible to enjoy a delicious pizza! The ideal is to cook it yourself to be absolutely sure of the quality and cooking of the ingredients. If you want to add charcuterie, consider vacuum-packed white ham and well-cooked bacon.
Can I eat vacuum-packed cold meats during pregnancy?
Vacuum-packed charcuterie is not prohibited during pregnancy, quite the contrary, it is even to be preferred. The expert Magali Le Mardeley also insists on the importance of not storing vacuum-packed charcuterie beyond the use-by date specified on the packaging. During pregnancy, it is generally better to avoid shopping at the market, where freshness and optimal storage conditions are not guaranteed.
What to do if you ate deli meats while pregnant?
If you are immune to toxoplasmosis, the risk is listeriosis. According to figures from the National Health Security Agency (ANSES), 350 to 400 cases of listeriosis are recorded each year in France. In the absence of symptoms (headache, fever, sometimes digestive disorders), there is nothing to worry about. However, if symptoms appear, even mild ones or if you are not immune to toxoplasmosis, consult a doctor immediately.
Sources:
Listeriosis sheet. Ministry of Health and Prevention (March 2022)
What is listeriosis and how to prevent it? ANSES (June 2022)
Thanks to Magali Le Mardeley, dietician