One of the special customs our family has is looking forward to eating clam chowder every second week of the month. We enjoy seafood, and the flavor of clams has always made us eager to prepare one for dinner.
But when I became pregnant, I read about the need to avoid seafood to avoid problems. I wanted to know if eating clam chowder during pregnancy was safe for me, so I could enjoy them.
I’ve provided some pertinent details about clam chowder and its effects on pregnancy that I’ve learned.
A clam is a species of sea creature with shells that are attached by a strong hinge. It has a double-tubed siphon that draws water to draw oxygen into their body, filter food, and expel water and waste from their digestive tracts. It burrows its body into the sand using its foot.
The Pacific, Gulf, and Atlantic coasts are all used for clam harvesting. These shells are cooked into varieties of dishes. The clam’s foot, siphon, and muscles that close and open its shell are what we consume. When eaten, its meat is a creamy white color and can be sweet and chewy.
- Vibrio vulnificus, an ocean-dwelling bacterium that may cause food poisoning in humans and other animals, is a bacteria present in raw clams.
- As far as appearance, taste, and smell go, bacterially infected clams (and oysters) are no different from their uninfected counterparts.
Know More About Clam Chowder
Clam chowder is a cooked soup made with clams or fish and vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, salt pork, and milk. It was created in the Eastern United States and is frequently offered in eateries across the nation.
Clam chowder comes in different flavors, often varying according to the region where it is served. For instance, the Manhattan version of clam chowder uses red broth instead of milk and has a tomato base. Paprika, bacon, light cream, asparagus, parsley, and celery powder are additional ingredients used in New Jersey.
The chowder in New England is thicker than the usual thin soup chowder because it is made with milk or cream as the base. Smoked salmon is substituted for smoked pork in Seattle. Clam chowders are best served in sourdough bread bowls in San Francisco.
Is it Safe to Eat Clam Chowder While Pregnant?
Due to the mercury content in seafood that could harm the unborn child, many pregnant women are hesitant to eat it. Mercury accumulates in lakes and oceans where it becomes methylmercury, a neurotoxin. The toxin is more harmful to a fetus’s developing system because it can harm the body’s nervous system.
There are sea creatures that have high levels of mercury. Because of this, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against consuming large quantities of seafood, particularly certain fish found in the Gulf of Mexico.
However, fish and other seafood are great sources of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients like the crucial Omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, protein, and magnesium. Given that some seafood is permitted to have zero to low mercury levels, avoiding seafood due to the risk of mercury levels may not be practical.
Some fish are considered the best options to eat by the FDA. Two to three servings of these foods per week are allowed. Additionally, there are tasty seafood options that are suitable for weekly servings. FDA also emphasized that foods with high mercury levels should be avoided.
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Clams are among the seafood selections recommended by the FDA for expectant mothers. Clam chowder provides your body with 23 different vitamins and minerals. 8 milligrams of iron, which is necessary during pregnancy. More red blood cells mean more blood for your baby because iron aids in their production.
Additionally a great source of sodium and protein is clam chowder. These nutrients contribute to the mother’s strength and aid in the fetus’s overall development.
Clam chowder is a fantastic source of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D, which will help the baby’s eye and brain development. Tomatoes can increase the body’s level of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and promotes the proper absorption of iron.
Asparagus, potatoes, celery, and other vegetables can also help mothers get the additional nutrients they need. The fetus will receive the same nutrition because each of these beneficial nutrients will also be passed on to it.
How to Safely Eat Clam Chowder
Cook it thoroughly. Pregnant women should not consume raw shellfish, according to the American Dietetic Association. Clams are healthy for the body, but they must be fully and properly cooked before eating.
Take it moderately; eating a lot of clam chowder could lead to your body absorbing more mercury and toxins. Excess amounts mean accumulation of the dangerous elements as well. You must be very careful to only take a small amount of soup, like one bowl.
Eat in small, frequent meals. For example, while you may enjoy a bowl of soup right now, taking it daily will not be beneficial. Limit your consumption of clam chowder because it also contains unhealthy fats and cholesterol.
As with eating any food or a vegetable, make sure the clams are safe to eat. If they are already contaminated, they could be harmful to your health. Clams must be cooked with meat that is creamy white and healthy, and they must be fresh and smell good.
Check the added ingredients to make sure there are no fish that you need to avoid in the soup. The best course of action when dining out is to ask the servers what they add to the soup.
Limit the number of clams you add to the soup. You can replace the meat with more vegetables or use a small amount of it for a more authentic flavor.
Pregnant women must consume nutritious foods in order to provide the body with the nutrients it needs to carry the baby. Pregnant women need the right nutrition to maintain their bodies in good condition for carrying their babies carefully for nine months and to make sure they are getting enough nutrients since they are also feeding the child.
I made sure that everything I ate while pregnant was safe for both my unborn child and me. I began to eat more vegetables, fruits, and natural foods while avoiding other foods. I was thrilled to keep going with our monthly clam chowder dates after learning that clam chowder is safe for pregnant women.
What was your experience like eating clam chowder while expecting?
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Hello, my name is Mary Ross, and I enjoy spending time with my husband and four adorable children as well as blogging and cooking. The Impressive Kids was founded because I love to impart the knowledge I’ve gained from being a mom.
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FAQ
Can you eat cooked clams when pregnant?
Clams are safe to eat while pregnant as long as they are cooked thoroughly1 – check to see if their shells open to indicate that they are finished cooking and throw away any that do not.
Can I eat seafood soup while pregnant?
While there are numerous ways for pregnant women to obtain omega-3 fatty acids, the majority of experts advise eating seafood for this purpose. Despite the fact that mercury can harm a baby’s developing brain, studies have shown that consuming typical amounts of low-mercury seafood while pregnant haven’t led to any issues.