As you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, you may be wondering what your plate will look like this year if youre among the millions of pregnant women who will be sitting down for their Thanksgiving meal. We all know that when youre pregnant, certain foods are off-limits because they pose a danger to you or your unborn baby. But, Thanksgiving Day is a time to chow down and you dont want to miss out, especially on the bird!
Eating turkey is a popular tradition for many families especially around the holidays. But if you’re pregnant you may be wondering if it’s safe to eat turkey during pregnancy. With all the warnings about avoiding deli meats, raw eggs, and undercooked poultry, it’s natural to have questions about eating turkey while expecting.
I wanted to provide a thorough, research-based answer on whether turkey is safe for pregnant women. In this article, I’ll discuss preparation methods to lower risk, recommended portion sizes, proper handling and storage of leftovers, and tips to empower you to make informed choices about eating turkey.
Is Turkey Safe During Pregnancy?
The short answer is yes – turkey is generally considered safe for pregnant women when properly handled and thoroughly cooked. According to the CDC, lean meats like chicken and turkey are safer choices during pregnancy when cooked to the proper internal temperature.
However, consuming raw or undercooked turkey does pose a higher risk of foodborne illness for pregnant women. Eating deli-style lunch meats or reheating turkey improperly also increases risks. As long as you take precautions in purchasing, preparing, and storing turkey, it can be part of a healthy prenatal diet.
Reduce Risks by Proper Cooking
To minimize risks associated with poultry, the CDC recommends always cooking turkey and other poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer Check the thickest part of the breast and thigh to verify doneness.
Cooking to 165°F kills any potentially harmful bacteria like salmonella or listeria. Allowing the turkey to rest for a few minutes before carving lets the temperature distribute evenly.
Here are some additional tips for safe preparation:
- Never eat raw or undercooked turkey.
- Cook stuffing separately to 165°F if baked inside turkey.
- Use a food thermometer to verify ground turkey reaches 160°F.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F. Gravy should boil before consuming.
Properly cooking turkey to recommended safe temperatures ensures it’s safe to consume during pregnancy.
Choose Quality Deli or Lunch Turkey
Pregnant women are often advised to avoid deli meats like turkey due to listeria risk. However, not all deli turkey carries the same level of risk.
The CDC considers heated lunch meats and high-quality, fresh deli turkey to be low risk during pregnancy. To reduce risks from deli or lunch turkey:
- Opt for turkey sliced fresh at the deli counter, not pre-packaged.
- Select turkey sealed in an airtight package without discoloration or odor.
- Consume deli meats within 3-5 days of opening.
- Heat lunch meats to 165°F before eating.
Carefully selecting and properly heating lunch turkey minimizes concern. Discuss with your doctor to determine what amount of turkey is right for you.
Practice Safe Leftover Handling
Proper storage and reheating are key to safely consuming leftovers. Here are some tips for handling turkey leftovers during pregnancy:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking in shallow containers.
- Use refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days and frozen within 2-3 months.
- Reheat thoroughly to 165°F. Gravy should boil before eating.
- Discard stuffing and gravy after refrigerating for 1 day.
Adhering to food safety guidelines prevents harmful bacteria growth in leftovers.
Make Informed Choices About Eating Turkey
As always, be sure to discuss any dietary concerns with your doctor. If you ever feel uncertain about the safety of any foods, it’s best to avoid them to be on the safe side. Wishing you a healthy, happy pregnancy!
Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid When Pregnant
While you may get a green light on turkey if youre pregnant, other foods should be avoided no matter what trimester you may be in when you sit down for your Thanksgiving Dinner.
These include:
- Unpasteurized dairy
- Stuffing cooked inside a turkey
- Undercooked meats
- High salt foods
- Alcohol
Eating these foods can lead to swelling in the hands or more serious problems caused by bacteria like listeria and salmonella. When it comes to alcohol, even a glass of wine is not recommended.
Pregnant women will also want to avoid pâté. Some people serve it as an appetizer to their Thanksgiving dinner. Pâté is a combination of fat and cooked ground meat. According to the American Pregnancy Association, refrigerated pâté should be avoided because it may contain the bacteria listeria. Canned pâté is okay to eat. Soft cheeses like feta, gorgonzola, queso fresco, brie, and camembert, are also a big no-no if you see them on your Thanksgiving Day table because they may contain listeria.
When it comes to veggies, raw sprouts like alfalfa, clover, and radishes are out of the mix because bacteria can get into the seeds before the sprouts grow. You also want to make sure that any veggies you eat are washed to avoid potential exposure to toxoplasmosis. This may contaminate the soil where the vegetables came from.
Apple cider can be part of your Thanksgiving dinner as long as its pasteurized. Unpasteurized cider can lead to foodborne illnesses and have been linked to E. coli outbreaks.
Is Thanksgiving Turkey Safe for Pregnant Women?
Lets talk turkey. Turkey is a staple of the big day, but many women often ask their Ob-Gyn, can you eat Thanksgiving turkey when youre pregnant?
Theres no need to get your feathers in an uproar, Thanksgiving turkey can be a part of your Thanksgiving meal when youre pregnant if its cooked to the right internal temperature. According to the USDA, the safe minimum internal temperature to cook a turkey is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. But, some doctors recommend turkey be cooked to 180 degrees for pregnant women.
Obviously, if the turkey looks undercooked or raw, its going to be a hard pass for you (and it should be for everyone else at the table). Eating undercooked turkey poses the risk of food poisoning caused by Salmonella bacteria. Thoroughly cooking turkey kills the Salmonella bacteria.
If youre thinking about leftovers the next day and making a turkey sandwich, youre going to need to heat it. Cold meat is a big no-no because of listeria concerns. A warm turkey sandwich is a safer choice.
Are deli meats safe during pregnancy? Dietitian explains
FAQ
Is turkey ok to eat when pregnant?
To be on the safe side and to avoid any possibility of salmonella contamination, cook until your turkey reaches 180ºF before consuming. 3.
What deli meat is safe during pregnancy?
Cooked meats (like roasted turkey breast slices) are safe to eat during pregnancy. You can opt for deli meats that are heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can steam deli meats until they’re hot – this can also lower the risk of listeria in meat.
What meat is OK when pregnant?
Regularly eating high protein foods — like fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, peanut butter, nuts and beans –– promotes your baby’s healthy brain and heart …Oct 11, 2021
Is it okay to eat turkey lunch meat?
Turkey lunch meat is a decent wellspring of protein, which is fundamental for building and fixing muscles, skin, and different tissues in the body. It is low in fat and calories compared with other lunch meats, making it a decent choice for those attempting to watch their weight or keep a healthy eating routine.
Can a pregnant woman eat a Turkey?
However, some doctors recommend turkey be cooked up to 180 degrees for pregnant women to maintain optimum health. You can use the leftovers of a turkey to make a turkey sandwich the following day, after heating it. You should avoid cold meat due to its listeria concerns. Turkey is a large bird native to North America.
What should one eat if they are pregnant?
The recommendation for pregnant women is the same as for the general population. Eat fresh and preferably organic fruits and vegetables. Use whole foods like rice and pasta, lean meats, fish and oilseeds. Pregnant women do not need to eat for two, but as the demand for some nutrients is increased at this stage, it is necessary to supplement.
Can pregnant women eat cold turkey?
If your turkey, and any stuffing that was cooked inside the cavity, are at least 165°F/75°C, turkey is perfectly safe for both you and baby. Can Pregnant Women Eat Cold Cuts or Cold, Cooked Turkey? According to some folks, the best part of Thanksgiving turkey is the next afternoon’s “leftover sandwich”.
Can you eat turkey deli meat during pregnancy?
Thanksgiving, Cold Cuts and more Carved turkey is a Thanksgiving staple for many American households, but not all types of turkey products are created equal when it comes to safety during pregnancy. You’ve probably also wondered about turkey bacon, turkey deli meat, or even turkey sausage. Is it all OK when you’re pregnant?
Can I eat a turkey sandwich if I’m Pregnant?
A cold cuts or cold meat sandwich isn’t advisable during pregnancy due to risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (source: CDC ). If you want to enjoy a slice of leftover turkey, it’s important to heat it thoroughly to 165°F/75°C in order to destroy any bacteria (source: Mayo Clinic ).
Can pregnant women eat turkey sausage?
Turkey sausages are made from ground meat, and pregnant women can safely eat them once they have been cooked fully to 165°F/75°C, which may kill the bacteria present. 3. Can I Eat Cold Cuts or Cold, Cooked Turkey While Pregnant? Cold cuts or pre-cooked/cured Turkey meat such as Turkey ham.