Eating meat during pregnancy
Eating meat during pregnancy
Read time: 4 minutes
Rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, meat can be a part of a healthy pregnancy diet. But it’s important to know which meats are safe to eat during pregnancy, and which are best to avoid. It’s also a good idea to refresh your knowledge on the safest way to prepare, store and cook meat, to reduce your risk of getting food poisoning.
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Everything you need to know about eating meat during pregnancy
When it comes to eating meat during pregnancy, the key thing is to make sure that it’s always thoroughly cooked with no trace of pink or blood. Cooking meat thoroughly ensures that any harmful bugs – including those that cause toxoplasmosis – are killed off before you eat it.
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite found in raw and undercooked meat, among other things. It can cause serious complications, particularly early in pregnancy, which can lead to miscarriage.
After preparing raw meat, you should always wash your hands, surfaces and utensils thoroughly. Harmful bacteria can spread easily to anything it touches, including worktops, chopping boards and knives. Be particularly mindful to keep raw meat away from other ingredients, especially ‘ready to eat’ foods like bread, salad or fruit – these won’t be cooked before you eat them so any harmful bacteria they pick up won’t be killed.
Tips for restaurant eating
If you’re eating out, make sure you ask for any meat you order to be well-cooked, and avoid cold cured meat like those found on antipasti plates. Discover which other foods to avoid during pregnancy and which cheeses are safe to eat.
Last reviewed: 28th July 2020
Reviewed by Nutricia’s Medical and Scientific Affairs Team
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