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Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes confusing time for many women. With so much conflicting information, knowing what foods are safe to eat while pregnant can be challenging. For example, one commonly asked question is whether pork belly is safe during pregnancy.
In this article, we’ll discuss the safety of eating pork belly while pregnant and provide tips on ensuring that your food choices are as healthy as possible for you and your baby.
Can you eat pork belly when pregnant?
Yes. You can safely eat pork belly while pregnant. Pork belly is a succulent, flavorful cut of pork from the pig’s underside that can be smoked or cured and prepared in many different ways. When cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and properly rested for 3 minutes, pork is a safe choice to enjoy without worry.
However, there are still some precautions that you should take when eating pork belly while pregnant. For example, it’s essential to ensure the meat is cooked and that no pink or red areas are left in the center. Eating raw or undercooked pork products during pregnancy may cause unwanted bacteria that could put your baby at risk.
When handling and cooking pork belly, it is essential to be mindful of the potential for bacterial contamination. Be sure to follow safe food handling practices, such as washing your hands before and after handling raw pork, using separate cutting boards for preparing raw and cooked pork, and thoroughly washing any utensils or dishes that come in contact with raw meat.
Finally, ensuring that the pork belly you purchase is fresh is essential. The best way is to look for a label or stamp on the package indicating that the USDA has inspected the cut of meat. This will ensure that you’re buying a safe and healthy product.
Is it safe to eat pork rinds while pregnant?
No, it is not safe to eat pork rinds while pregnant. Pork rinds are a deep-fried snack made from pig skin that has been salted and seasoned with various flavorings. Since these snacks are typically cooked at high temperatures, they may contain potentially harmful bacteria such as E. coli or salmonella.
Additionally, they are often high in fat and sodium, which can lead to elevated blood pressure and other health issues—for these reasons, avoiding pork rinds while pregnant is best.
What meats should you avoid when pregnant?
For the health of both mommy and the baby, it is important to stress that pregnant women must avoid consuming raw or undercooked pork, deli meats, and smoked or cured products.
These foods may contain bacteria or parasites that can harm you and your baby. Additionally, it’s best to avoid eating those from the wild since animals in the wild are more likely to carry parasites and bacteria. Finally, it is also best if you stay away from fish with high mercury levels, like swordfish, sharks, and tilefish.
Conclusion
Eating pork belly while pregnant is generally safe. However, always cook the meat properly and allow at least 3 minutes to rest before serving. In addition, it’s essential to follow safe food handling practices such as washing your hands before and after preparing raw pork, using separate cutting boards for raw and cooked pork, and purchasing fresh pork with a USDA inspection label.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20043844
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/foods-to-avoid-during-pregnancy/
