Verified by Kimberly Langdon M.D.
Kimberly Langdon is an obstetrician/gynecologist with 19 years of clinical experience and graduated from The Ohio State University, College of Medicine.
Certain foods come into question when you’re pregnant, and salami is often one of them. It’s a question that has plagued pregnant women for years – can you eat salami when pregnant?
If you’re a fan of salami or looking to incorporate it into your diet while pregnant, you may be curious if you can consume it.
Can you eat salami when pregnant?
You can safely eat salami while pregnant if it’s properly cooked. Salami is a cured and fermented meat product containing bacteria that could cause listeriosis if ingested in raw form. To be on the safe side, ensure your salami is heated until steaming hot before eating it. Otherwise, it’s best to play it safe and avoid consuming salami while pregnant.
It is also important to remember that certain types of salami, such as hard salami or dry-cured salami, contain higher levels of sodium nitrate. Eating large amounts of these cured meats can increase your risk of developing gestational hypertension. So, if you’re pregnant and choose to eat salami, you must limit your consumption.
Are pepperoni and salami safe during pregnancy?
Pepperoni is safe to eat during pregnancy when appropriately cooked. However, you should still limit your consumption of pepperoni since its high levels of sodium nitrate can increase your risk of developing gestational hypertension. Furthermore, overeating pepperoni can result in excess salt consumption, leading to water retention and discomfort. It will also affect the quality of your sleep, energy levels, and overall well-being.
Why can’t I eat deli meat while pregnant?
Eating deli meat while pregnant is not recommended because it is rarely cooked and can contain bacteria such as listeria. Deli meats are also often cured, smoked, or processed with preservatives that can harm the developing baby — and eating deli meats when pregnant increases your risk of foodborne illness, which can cause severe illness passed on to unborn babies. To prevent this, it is best to avoid deli meats altogether and opt for cooked meats instead.
I ate salami when pregnant – What to do?
If you have eaten salami while pregnant, there’s no reason to panic. As long as it is cooked through, the risk of listeriosis is low. Otherwise, the best thing to do is monitor your health and contact your medical provider if you experience any unusual symptoms. Common signs of listeriosis can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and muscle aches. Listeriosis can be dangerous for you and your baby if left untreated during pregnancy. It’s also a good idea to discuss with your doctor whether you need to be tested for listeria infection.
Conclusion
So, can you eat salami while pregnant? The answer is yes – as long as it’s cooked properly. However, it’s important to remember that certain salami contains high levels of sodium nitrate, which can increase your risk of developing gestational hypertension. You should also limit your consumption of pepperoni and other deli meats during pregnancy. Contact your doctor if you have eaten salami while pregnant and are experiencing unusual symptoms.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/salami-pregnancy
https://www.momjunction.com/articles/pepperoni-while-pregnant_00369172/
