Prosciutto is a type of Italian ham that you may find in appetizers, main dishes or Italian salads. During pregnancy, you should approach prosciutto with caution; depending upon how the meat was cured and preserved, it may or may not contain compounds you shouldn't ingest during your pregnancy for safety reasons.
Pregnancy and Food Safety
During pregnancy, two major concerns with regard to food safety dictate what is and what is not safe to eat. Some foods contain toxins. These may be safe for adults in reasonable amounts; but during pregnancy, they should be avoided. Alternately, foods may be at risk of bacterial contamination. During pregnancy, your immune system is suppressed relative to other times, and bacteria may cross the placenta barrier.
Nitrates and Nitrites
Curing prosciutto may be done in different ways. The meat may be cured by using sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate, both of which are salts that help to reduce or prevent bacterial growth. Unfortunately, nitrate and nitrite can react with compounds called secondary amines -- meat is full of them -- to produce compounds called nitrosamines. These are carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer and cross the placenta, explains Richard A. Scanlan, Ph.D., Dean of Research Emeritus and Professor of Food Science at the Linus Pauling Institute. Check the ingredients on your prosciutto to ensure it's not cured with nitrates or nitrites.
Bacterial Contamination
Thinly sliced meats, including prosciutto, have more surface area exposed to the environment, which increases the likelihood of bacterial contamination. Bacteria called listeria are particularly problematic when it comes to pregnancy. They cause mild gastrointestinal distress in non-pregnant adults but can make you sick during pregnancy. Worse yet, they can cross the placenta, putting you at risk of preterm labor and other complications, explain Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel in their book, "What To Expect When You're Expecting." Make sure you heat all prosciutto to steaming before eating.
Salt
If your prosciutto is nitrate- and nitrite-free, and it has been heated, one concern remains with regard to pregnancy. Like other hams, prosciutto is high in salt, which can increase your blood pressure -- a phenomenon particularly dangerous during pregnancy. If you're going to eat prosciutto, it's best to do so occasionally rather than routinely. Further, you may want to look for low-salt varieties or use it only as a garnish for a little flavor rather than as a major part of a dish you're making or eating.
References
- "What to Expect When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel; 2008
- The Linus Pauling Institute; Nitrosamines and Cancer; Richard A. Scanlan; November 2000
