When youre pregnant, everything that goes into your mouth gets shared with your growing baby. Some foods and even some types of food poisoning might not hurt you, but they could hurt your child.
If you want to stay healthy, don’t eat anything that has been out of the fridge for more than two hours (or more than one hour if it’s hot outside).
Be sure to limit caffeine to 200 mg a day (one 12-ounce cup of coffee). And, as you probably know, forget alcohol while your baby is growing inside you.
A lot of pregnant women might be interested in beef tartare, a dish made of raw, lean, finely chopped beef. On the other hand, because of safety concerns about raw meat and pregnancy, beef tartare should not be eaten during pregnancy.
In this comprehensive guide we will cover everything you need to know about eating beef tartare while pregnant, including
- What is beef tartare?
- Is it safe to eat beef tartare when pregnant?
- The risks and potential consequences
- How beef tartare is prepared
- The debate around consuming it during pregnancy
- Safer alternatives to satisfy cravings
- Other tips for avoiding foodborne illness
Let’s start with understanding exactly what beef tartare is and how it is typically prepared
What is Beef Tartare?
Beef tartare is a cold dish made from raw beef that has been chopped by hand. The French love this dish as an appetizer, and it’s often served with capers, onions, raw egg yolk, and seasonings.
To make beef tartare:
- Lean, high-quality beef is diced into very small pieces or minced.
- It is mixed with ingredients like onions, capers, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and parsley.
- It is chilled and served raw, often molded into a mound shape.
- A raw egg yolk is placed on top and the dish is meant to be mixed tableside.
Part of the appeal of beef tartare is its soft, silky texture from the use of raw meat. However, this also introduces risks during pregnancy.
Is it Safe to Eat Beef Tartare When Pregnant?
The clear consensus from healthcare professionals is no – beef tartare should be avoided during pregnancy. This is because there are risks associated with consuming raw or undercooked meat while pregnant.
Raw meat can contain bacteria, parasites, and toxins that cause foodborne illnesses. When you’re pregnant, your immune system is compromised, putting you and your baby at greater risk of infection.
Some of the common concerns with raw meat include:
- Salmonella – Can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration
- E. Coli – Can lead to illness or kidney problems
- Toxoplasma – Parasite that causes flu-like symptoms and complications
- Listeria – Can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or death of newborn
For these reasons, doctors and nutritionists recommend avoiding raw meats entirely during pregnancy and cooking all beef to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145°F/63°C.
The Risks and Potential Consequences of Eating Raw Meat While Pregnant
There are several potential risks and consequences associated with consuming raw or undercooked meat during pregnancy.
For the mother, risks include:
- Food poisoning or foodborne illness
- Vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration
- Fatigue, fever, muscle aches
- In severe cases: hospitalization, long-term effects
For the baby, risks include:
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, or death
- Preterm delivery or low birth weight
- Birth defects such as blindness, seizures, or mental disability
The toxoplasma parasite in particular can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, leading to potential eye damage or brain abnormalities.
While the chances of these severe complications are low, healthcare providers recommend avoiding the risk altogether by not consuming raw meat including beef tartare at any point during pregnancy.
How Beef Tartare is Prepared and Served
To understand why raw beef tartare poses a food safety risk, it helps to learn a bit about how the dish is prepared and served:
- Uses raw, lean beef tenderloin or sirloin
- Meat is hand-chopped into tiny pieces or finely minced
- Mixed with raw egg yolk, capers, onions, pepper, Worcestershire, etc
- Formed into a mound or patty shape
- Served chilled right away, often with toast points or crackers
Unlike a steak that is quickly seared, beef tartare uses raw meat as the star ingredient. This introduces risks of bacteria which can be difficult to mitigate without thorough cooking.
The raw egg yolk commonly served on top poses another risk of salmonella or e. coli exposure. For these safety reasons, pregnant women should steer clear of this appetizing yet potentially hazardous dish.
The Debate Over Consuming Beef Tartare During Pregnancy
There is some debate around whether beef tartare that has been frozen for a period before serving may be safe for pregnant women to eat. Some women argue that:
- Freezing kills any parasites or bacteria initially present.
- If prepared properly, the risks are low.
- A small amount once won’t hurt.
However, most health professionals maintain the recommendation to avoid all raw meats during pregnancy. Here’s their counterpoint:
- Freezing reduces bacteria but does not eliminate the risks entirely.
- Toxoplasma parasites can survive freezing temperatures.
- Preparation mistakes can still occur.
- The consequences simply aren’t worth the small reward.
Many advise to wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding is over before indulging in risky foods like beef tartare again. However, women should discuss concerns with their OB-GYN and make informed choices based on their health status.
Safer Alternatives to Satisfy Beef Tartare Cravings
Pregnant women can satisfy beef tartare cravings through safer alternatives:
Cook it thoroughly – Make a cooked version using finely chopped beef, spices, and egg. Heat to 160°F internally.
Try plant-based subs – Use finely diced mushrooms or beets in place of raw beef.
Swap condiments – Keep capers, onions, mustard and use on cooked meats.
Focus on food textures – Emphasize contrasts like crunchy toast vs smooth sauces.
Eat a balanced diet – Don’t obsess over restrictive diets. Indulge cravings safely.
Talk to your doctor about any persistent beef tartare cravings and how to address them while staying healthy.
Tips to Avoid Foodborne Illness During Pregnancy
Here are some general tips for avoiding foodborne illnesses while pregnant:
- Cook all meat, poultry, eggs and seafood thoroughly. Use a food thermometer.
- Avoid raw sprouts, unpasteurized products, and deli salads/meats.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
- Keep food prep areas and utensils clean. Avoid cross-contamination.
- Check expiration dates and toss outdated, spoiled, or moldy foods.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F. Avoid room temperature food.
- Drink only pasteurized juices and ciders.
- Take care when dining out. Avoid high-risk foods.
Making smart choices can help mitigate risks while pregnant. Speak with your doctor about any other dietary concerns.
The Bottom Line
While beef tartare may seem tempting, it is ultimately best avoided during pregnancy due to food safety risks. Focus your diet instead on nourishing, balanced meals that provide proper nutrition for you and baby-to-be. Indulge cravings through safer alternatives to raw meats.
By understanding the risks of consuming raw meats and taking precautions to avoid foodborne illness from all foods, you can enjoy a healthy pregnancy and peace of mind. Always consult your doctor with any questions on food safety, diet concerns, or persistent pregnancy cravings.
More on Health & Pregnancy
Can children have steak tartare?
Should you eat steak tartare during pregnancy?
Steak Tartare – this is raw, finely diced meat so should be avoided in pregnancy as it’s not cooked at all. You might be reading this article because you have already eaten raw, pink, bloody or undercooked steak by accident, not realizing it’s something to avoid in pregnancy. The first step is don’t panic.
Is it safe to consume beer and cheese during pregnancy?
The consumption of beer or any alcoholic beverage is strongly discouraged during pregnancy because of its potent teratogenic effect. Its effects are on the development of the neural tube that could generate different degrees of neurological damage. Cheese consumption is safe during pregnancy.
Can pregnant women eat steak?
Pregnant women should order steak well done. Medium well is possible, but only if the restaurant is able to cook the steak to a precise temperature. Here’s a quick guide to traditional steak cooking requests and whether or not they’re pregnancy safe, plus what to do. This applies to beef, pork, veal, duck, and lamb steaks.
Can pregnant women eat red meat?
All that said, it’s a good idea to eat red meat when pregnant due to the amount of iron it contains. But it must be well-done. You might like your steak rare, even bloody, but you will have to forgo it and try the tougher stuff for nine months.