Pregnancy is a time when good nutrition is critical, with the foods in your diet nourishing both you and your growing baby. Pregnancy is also a time when food safety and proper food handling are very important. During pregnancy, a woman's immune system changes, making it more difficult to fight off infections and placing pregnant women at a higher risk for certain food-borne illnesses. Avoiding potentially hazardous foods can help keep you and your baby healthy.
Risks of Undercooked Meat
Eating undercooked meat and poultry can lead to a number of health conditions that can sicken you and your growing baby. Undercooked meat and poultry can expose you to different types of bacteria, including Campylobacter jejuni, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes and salmonella, all of which can cross the placenta and infect your baby as well. Infections with these types of food-borne illness can be very dangerous to a fetus, causing miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor, or a number of other health conditions.
Temperature Recommendations
Cooking meat and poultry to the proper temperature can prevent many food-borne illnesses. Beef, veal, pork and lamb steaks should be cooked to a minimum of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the USDA. Steaks continue cooking after they are removed from the heat source, so allow your meat to rest for three minutes before eating. Beef, veal, pork and lamb that is ground should be cooked to a minimum of 160 degrees. To avoid food-borne illnesses associated with poultry, cook chicken and turkey to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Food Thermometers
Using a food thermometer to check the temperature of your meat and poultry can ensure that your foods are properly cooked and safe to eat. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding contact with any bones, fat or gristle, which could give you an inaccurate reading. There are oven-safe temperature probes that can be placed in your meat during the cooking process, allowing you to monitor the temperature of your food as it cooks. All food thermometers are slightly different, so follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure accurate results.
Food Safety Tips
Bacteria from raw or undercooked meat and poultry can contaminate other foods if proper food handling is not practiced. To avoid cross-contamination, use separate cutting boards for meat and raw fruits and vegetables. Always wash you hands with soap and hot water after handling raw meat and poultry. Keep raw meat and poultry separate from cooked or ready-to-eat foods, and use hot soapy water to wash any kitchenware that comes into contact with raw meat.
References
- March of Dimes; Food-Borne Risks in Pregnancy; May 2008
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Bacteria and Foodborne Illness; May 2007
- Colorado State University Extension; Food Safety During Pregnancy; J. Dean and P. Kendall; December 2006
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Is It Done Yet?
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