Verified by Edna Skopljak MD
Edna Skopljak is a medical doctor and an editor at BJBMS medical journal. She graduated from the University of Sarajevo School of Science and Technology.
Honey pairs well with toast, a steamy cup of tea, and certain salad dressings. However, does it pair well with pregnancy?
This article will determine whether you can eat honey when pregnant.
Read on to find out if you can eat honey-baked ham, Manuka honey, honey mustard, or truffle mustard while pregnant.
Can You Eat Honey When Pregnant?
Yes, you can eat honey when pregnant, but it’s best to eat honey that’s been pasteurized. To find pasteurized honey, always read the labels on the packaging. These should tell you whether or not the honey’s gone through the pasteurization process.
Pasteurized honey is also translucent since it’s not supposed to crystalize. So in your search, look for honey that is glossy and clear, along with a pasteurization label.
The FDA does not address the consumption of unpasteurized honey by pregnant women. However, they do advise against unpasteurized animal products like milk and cheese.
This is because pasteurization can limit the growth of bacteria in food.
Raw honey doesn’t hold onto moisture, so the risk of bacterial contamination is low. That said, it is highly recommended that you choose pasteurized products for extra protection.
While the NHS confirms that honey is safe to eat, they also remind readers not to give honey to their babies until they’re more than one year old.
This advisory is in place because honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum—an infection that a baby’s immune system isn’t equipped to fight off.
Luckily, in pregnancy, the mother’s immune system should be able to fight off these threats.
Can You Eat Honey-Baked Ham When Pregnant?
Yes, you can eat honey-baked ham when pregnant if it has been properly cooked and the honey glaze is pasteurized.
Cooked hams should come out steaming hot at a temperature of at least 165℉.
Can You Eat Manuka Honey When Pregnant?
Yes, you can eat Manuka honey when pregnant.
Manuka honey may even have some beneficial properties to it. One of which is that it is potentially more antibacterial than non-Manuka types of honey (NIH).
Due to the lack of specific research on how Manuka honey affects pregnant women, it’s best to follow general honey guidelines and purchase pasteurized products.
Can I Have Honey Mustard When Pregnant?
Yes, you can have honey mustard when pregnant.
An adult immune system should be able to fight off any botulinum spores from the uncooked honey in the honey mustard.
The safest choice, as always, is to purchase honey mustard that uses pasteurized honey.
Can You Eat Truffle Honey While Pregnant?
Information on whether pregnant women can eat truffle honey is hard to find. However, truffle honey is made from truffles, and truffles are generally safe for pregnant women.
Before consumption, truffles must be adequately cleaned to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis.
Truffles must be cleaned with water and a brush to eliminate any dirt. This dirt could potentially harbor dangerous bacteria.
If the truffles used in truffle honey are responsibly-sourced, truffle honey should be safe for expectant mothers.
Conclusion
Honey is safe for you to eat while pregnant. For the safest method of consumption, always purchase pasteurized honey products.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556071/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6613335/
https://www.fda.gov/media/83740/download
https://manukahoneyofnz.com/blogs/manuka-honey-blog/manuka-honey-and-pregnancy
