Most foods are safe to eat during pregnancy. But there are some foods and food groups that a pregnant woman should stay away from to keep herself and her baby safe. Also, there are steps you can take when cooking to make sure the food is safe for pregnant women to eat.
Find below a list of foods to avoid during pregnancy. You should talk to a doctor or midwife right away if you aren’t sure if you should eat a certain type of food or if you are worried about something you may have eaten.
Mold-ripened soft cheeses, which will often have a white rind, should be avoided during pregnancy. This includes cheeses such as brie, camembert, as well as soft goats cheeses such as chevre. Soft blue cheeses, such as Gorgonzola and Roquefort, should also be avoided during pregnancy.
It is not safe for pregnant women to eat these kinds of cheese because they might contain harmful bacteria like Listeria. Soft cheeses are less acidic than hard cheeses and have more water, which makes them easier for bacteria to grow.
Even though getting infected with bacteria isn’t common, pregnant women should be extra careful because a Listeria infection raises the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, uterine infection, and giving birth before due date.
Good to know: If they have been thoroughly cooked, e. g. in a sauce, all of the aforementioned cheeses are safe to eat during pregnancy.
Can You Eat Deer Sausage While Pregnant? Safety Tips and Precautions
Deer sausage is a tasty protein-rich meat that many people enjoy. However, when you’re pregnant you have to be more careful about the foods you eat to avoid illness. Can you indulge in deer sausage safely during pregnancy?
The answer is yes you can eat deer sausage while pregnant as long as you take the right precautions. Read on to learn about how to select store, prepare and cook deer sausage to minimize risks when pregnant.
Overview of Deer Sausage
Deer sausage is made from venison, which is meat from deer There are a few main types of deer sausage
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Fresh sausage – Made from raw, uncooked venison mixed with fat and seasonings. This type needs thorough cooking before eating.
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Pre-cooked sausage – The raw venison mixture is smoked or cooked before stuffing into casings. Reheating before eating is still recommended.
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Meat is cured with salts, spices, and preservatives, and then it is left to dry out in the air. Should be cooked before eating when pregnant.
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Smoked sausage – The raw venison mixture is smoked at low temperatures. Needs additional cooking.
Deer sausage provides lean protein and nutrients like iron, zinc, selenium and B vitamins. However, it also comes with some risks during pregnancy.
Risks of Eating Deer Sausage While Pregnant
Here are some of the main risks associated with eating deer sausage in pregnancy:
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Bacteria – Deer meat is prone to bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria, which can cause food poisoning.
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Parasites – Undercooked venison may contain Toxoplasma gondii parasites, which causes toxoplasmosis infection.
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Lead exposure – Deer killed with lead ammunition can contaminate the meat. Lead is toxic.
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Foodborne illness – Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea from bacteria or parasites. Can lead to dehydration and pregnancy complications.
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Toxoplasmosis – Flu-like illness that can severely impact the fetus if contracted during pregnancy.
To keep risks low, proper handling, cooking and hygiene practices are essential when consuming any deer products like sausage.
Selecting Safe Deer Sausage
When shopping for deer sausage, check that:
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It was processed in a reputable, commercial facility. Avoid homemade or hunted meat where you can’t verify safe handling.
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The packaging is not damaged, blown or leaking.
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Fresh sausage is red and lean with no foul odor. Discard if gray, slimy or smelly.
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Pre-cooked varieties are fully cooked to 160°F internal temperature. Check label.
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It has been properly refrigerated at 40°F or below by the store.
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The use-by date has not expired. Best within 1 week of purchase.
Storing Deer Sausage Safely
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Refrigerate fresh deer sausage within 2 hours of purchase. Use within 1-2 days.
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Freeze for longer storage. Use freezer bags and label with date. Keeps 2-3 months in freezer.
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Store pre-cooked deer sausage in fridge for 5-7 days or freezer for 1-2 months.
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Keep deer sausage sealed in original packaging until ready to use.
Safe Preparation of Deer Sausage
Follow these tips for safe preparation of deer sausage while pregnant:
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Wash hands and cooking tools thoroughly before and after handling raw deer meat. Prevent cross-contamination.
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Keep raw deer sausage sealed and separate from other foods in the fridge and while prepping.
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Thaw frozen sausage overnight in the fridge, never at room temperature. Cook immediately after thawing.
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Marinate deer sausage in the fridge, not on the counter. Discard used marinade.
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Cook fresh sausage patties, links and ground meat to 160°F internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to check.
Cooking Deer Sausage Thoroughly
Cooking deer sausage to the proper internal temperature kills any potential bacteria, parasites or viruses present. Here are safe cooking methods:
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Pan fry fresh sausage over medium-high heat until browned on both sides and 160°F in center.
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Grill links, patties or kabobs to 160°F, turning frequently to prevent charring.
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Bake deer sausage in a 375°F oven until browned and 160°F internal temperature.
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Boil fresh sausage for at least 15 minutes, until firm. Check internal temp after.
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Microwave pre-cooked sausage for 30 seconds or until steaming hot. Stir and check temperature.
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Slow cook or stew deer sausage in a sauce until falling apart tender and 160°F.
Avoid undercooked deer sausage and sample bites before the proper temperature is reached. Reheating any leftovers to 165°F before eating again.
Safer Meat Alternatives When Pregnant
If you want to avoid the risks of deer meat entirely while pregnant, some nutritious alternatives include:
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Beef – Choose well-cooked cuts like roasts, steaks and ground beef.
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Pork – Opt for thoroughly cooked ham, pork chops, bacon or sausage.
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Chicken – Roast, grill, pan fry or bake to 165°F internal temperature.
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Turkey – Cook fully until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Fish – Select low mercury options like salmon, pollock or cod.
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Beans – High in fiber, protein, iron and folate.
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Tofu – Provides protein, calcium and iron if eating vegetarian.
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Eggs – Cook until yolks and whites are firm.
The Bottom Line
Deer sausage can be a tasty treat during pregnancy if you take the right precautions. Always cook venison to 160°F, practice diligent food safety and hygiene, and source cleanly processed meats from reputable suppliers. Consider avoiding deer meat altogether if you have concerns over bacteria, parasites or lead exposure. Talk to your doctor about your diet and let them know if you experience any food poisoning symptoms. With proper handling and cooking, deer sausage can be a safe addition to a healthy pregnancy diet.
Raw or undercooked eggs
During pregnancy, eggs should be cooked until both white and yolk are solid all the way through. Foods made using raw egg, such as mayonnaise or mousse, should also be avoided. This includes non-hen eggs like duck, quail and goose eggs.
Raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided during pregnancy because of the risk of Salmonella.
All varieties of pâté, including vegetable pâté, should be avoided during pregnancy. Pâté can potentially contain Listeria bacteria.
Raw or undercooked meat
If you are pregnant, you shouldn’t eat raw or undercooked meat because it can give you toxoplasmosis. This is an infection caused by bacteria that are often found in raw meat and cat, sheep, and lamb poop.
Toxoplasmosis is an infection by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, one of the world’s most common parasites. In non-pregnant people, infection is usually harmless and often symptomless. But toxoplasmosis can make it more likely for pregnant women to have a miscarriage, a stillbirth, or damage to the baby’s organs. There is a chance that the baby will have eye damage if the pregnant person has toxoplasmosis.
All meat, like sausages, burgers, and steaks, should be cooked all the way through, until there is no more blood or pinkness.
Precautions should also be taken when handling or cooking meat. In addition to washing your hands well, you should also wash all surfaces and tools that have come into contact with the meat well.
Some cold cured meats, such as chorizo, salami and prosciutto, are not cooked before being cured and fermented. Because of this, they contain a risk of toxoplasmosis and should be avoided.
Freezing the meat for 3-4 days kills the bacteria and makes it safe to eat. If the meat is cooked, it also becomes safe to eat.
Because of the risk of listeria, all ready-to-eat meals should be cooked according to the directions on the box. Once it’s done cooking, make sure the ready-made meal is still very hot, but not too hot, so you don’t burn yourself while eating it.
Liver and all products containing liver should be avoided during pregnancy. Liver contains large amounts of vitamin A, which can be harmful to unborn babies.
Game that has been shot using lead pellets should be avoided during pregnancy. The food supplier should be asked if it’s not clear if the game was shot with lead pellets. Deer, venison, elk, and wild pig are some of the more well-known types of game. Pheasant, grouse, and rabbit are also popular.
Can you eat deer meat while pregnant? Here’s the answer
Can pregnant women eat deer meat?
Deer meat is also known as Venison. There have been many questions by pregnant women regarding the safety of consuming deer meat while pregnant. You must cook the deer meat to an internal temperature of 160 – 165 degrees depending on the type of meat and current recommendations to ensure that the deer meat is cooked completely.
Is it safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy?
It is safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy as long as it comes from a reliable source, with appropriate hygienic and sanitary conditions for pre-preparation, preparation and packaging of this food.
Is it safe to eat sausage during pregnancy?
Yes, sausage is safe to consume during pregnancy. But as with any other meat, it is necessary that you cook it at the right temperature, for the right time, so that it is cooked to the core with no juices inside. However, as mentioned before, it is safe to eat but not the healthiest choice as it can lead to some unnecessary pregnancy complications.
What kind of sausage is safe to eat?
This means that your favorite fresh sausages (breakfast links, pork sausage, Italian sausage, some bratwurst and bockwurst, etc.) and cooked/smoked sausages (hot dogs, braunschweiger, cotto salami, Polish sausage, kielbasa, etc.) are likely safe provided you’ve followed these food safety guidelines.