You may be wondering, “Can I eat prosciutto while pregnant?” It is without a doubt a tasty food that many people like on their salad, pizza, or even a sandwich. But is it really safe to eat during pregnancy? Or are you better off without it?
Today, we reveal these hidden facts about prosciutto and whether or not it is safe for you to consume. Then, you can make a smarter decision on the food to eat that will benefit both you and your baby.
Prosciutto for Pregnant Women – What are the Risks?
It is true that pregnant women need to think carefully about the food they eat.
They cannot just eat anything they want without thinking about the impact on their baby. After all, what you eat directly affects your child. Thus, you need to be more careful about what you consume to prevent any health issues that may come with it. This is why we are on this topic about prosciutto.
It is a popular addition to your pizza, and it just makes this dish much more appetizing. But before you bite into that pizza slice packed with prosciutto, you need to ask if it is good for you or not.
For the most part, it is okay to eat. But there is a catch…
If you do eat prosciutto during pregnancy, you need to practice portion control. And also, there is the issue of proper cooking and serving process. When it comes to prosciutto, you need to be sure that it is cooked properly. A well-cooked and thoroughly heated prosciutto kills any bacteria that may be lingering to it. You need to make sure that it is cooked and heated through longer. Serving cold prosciutto to an expecting mom is not the best idea. The risk of contamination is likely to happen, which spells out trouble for you.
Prosciutto with Vegetables – Best Way to Prepare
Let us say you want to make pizza with prosciutto and vegetables or fruit.
Always remember that anything that grows underground – organic or not – may carry a certain parasite. This can result in toxoplasmosis if not removed well by thorough washing. This is why it is very important that you rinse your vegetables carefully before adding them to your dishes.
Vegetables including arugula, kale, and salad greens require special cleaning techniques to make sure these are all safe to use for your recipe. There are also natural and effective vegetable cleaning solutions you can use.
But the most important thing is that you get rid of the dirt and bacteria. This is also why we do not recommend pre-washed salads from questionable sources. There are possibilities of listeria and harmful bacteria that can pose health risks to you and your child.
Cheese on Your Pizza… And Prosciutto, Too!
Let us say you want to eat pizza with your favorite prosciutto and cheese.
Now, there should not be any problem with this, right?
Well, not quite. For instance, if the cheese is produced from soft milk or raw milk, it can be risky for pregnant women to consume.
Cheeses such as gorgonzola made from raw, unpasteurized milk may cause listeriosis. This is from bacteria, which can pose health issues to both your baby and you.
This is why you want to be sure that the pizza is baked at very high heat. This should kill the bacteria in the cheese, as well as in the prosciutto.
However, if you are consuming prosciutto with hard cheese such as cheddar, it should not be an issue at all. Mozzarella should also be fine because it comes from pasteurized milk. As a result, pregnant women can freely enjoy this type of cheese without any health concerns.
Read More: Can I Eat Chicken Salad While Pregnant? Healthier Choices for You
The Problem with Deli Meats and Prosciutto
Now, you may be wondering what about prosciutto with your favorite cold cuts?
Let us say you are making a sandwich or pizza. You want to combine a few slices of prosciutto with a bunch of deli meats including sausages, parma, ham, and so on. Is it safe to eat?
Well, first of all, you have to be careful with the way you cook and prepare it.
If you have your sausages fully cooked before you bake the pizza, then it is not a problem. Cooking at very high temperatures kills the bacteria present in deli meats. This is why it is advisable to serve these meats when steaming hot.
Otherwise, it is not even worth eating these due to the risk of contamination such as listeria and toxoplasmosis.
The only time you should eat prosciutto with deli meats or cold cuts is when these are cooked through perfectly well. Do not ever consume them cold or raw to avoid the risks of infection from bacteria.
Additional Tips to Keep in Mind
For the most part, prosciutto should be fine to eat.
There are some risks but these can all be minimized or eliminated with proper practices.
You need to cook the meat very well to eliminate the bacteria present in it. The same applies to the other ingredients you want to combine with it.
If you are using vegetables, cheese, and dressing or sauces, be sure these are safe to eat. Rinse your greens well, stick to hard cheese or one made from pasteurized milk.
Steer clear from dressing made of unpasteurized egg and materials that are not suitable for you.
Better yet, you may want to make your own prosciutto at home. This is a good way to eliminate risks while being in perfect control of the ingredients you used for this type of meat.
The video below shows you how to make homemade prosciutto that’s made of simple, yet healthy ingredients. Check it out and learn how you can make one at the comfort of your own home:
