Can You Enjoy Chicken Sausage Safely During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy comes with a whole new set of dietary guidelines. Expecting moms suddenly have to navigate a minefield of rules about what they can and can’t eat One food that often pops up is chicken sausage – is it OK to enjoy those tasty links when you’ve got a bun in the oven?

I completely understand the confusion. As an obstetrician, I’ve had many patients ask if beloved foods like chicken sausage are off-limits during pregnancy. In this article, I’ll share the key facts and safety considerations around eating chicken sausage while pregnant.

The Benefits of Chicken Sausage

Compared to pork varieties, chicken sausage offers some advantages:

• It’s lower in fat and calories than traditional sausage. Look for 90-93% lean options.

• Chicken provides beneficial nutrients like iron, zinc vitamin B6 and protein.

• It contains less saturated fat than pork or beef.

• Chicken sausage avoids certain pork-related pathogens like trichinosis.

• It provides a convenient source of protein you can easily add to meals.

So when chosen wisely, chicken sausage can be a healthy part of an expecting mother’s diet. Let’s look at some tips for safely enjoying it while pregnant.

Tips for Safely Eating Chicken Sausage

Here are my top food safety recommendations when consuming chicken sausage during pregnancy:

Purchase from reputable sellers

Buy chicken sausage from known, reputable sources like major grocery chains. Avoid questionable street vendors or food trucks.

Check the ingredients

Read labels and select low-sodium, nitrate-free chicken sausage without artificial preservatives.

Cook thoroughly to 165°F

Use a food thermometer to ensure chicken sausage reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Avoid cross-contamination

Keep raw and cooked chicken sausage separate. Disinfect cooking tools and surfaces after use.

Refrigerate promptly

Store cooked chicken sausage in the fridge within 2 hours. Toss leftovers after 3-4 days.

Reheat to steaming

Heat leftovers to 165°F. Throw out chicken sausage that stays at room temp over 2 hours.

Following basic food prep guidelines minimizes your risk of foodborne illness from chicken sausage or other foods during pregnancy.

Is Chicken Sausage Safe from Listeria?

Listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate certain foods and cause listeriosis, a potentially dangerous infection. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population.

However, listeria is very rare in properly handled and cooked chicken sausage. Thorough cooking kills any bacteria present. Just make sure to follow the safe handling tips above, and only buy chicken sausage not subject to any listeriosis-related recalls.

In general, the small amount of chicken sausage pregnant women consume poses a very minimal listeria risk. But if you have any doubts, you can take added precautions like reheating leftovers until steaming hot.

Healthy Alternatives to Chicken Sausage

If you decide to avoid chicken sausage while pregnant, plenty of other tasty, nutritious protein options exist:

• Lean beef or pork sausage in moderation

• Vegetarian sausage made from soy, seitan or beans

• Grilled chicken or turkey breast

• Hard boiled eggs

• Baked salmon or other low-mercury fish

• Tofu or edamame

• Hummus or other bean dips

• Nuts, seeds and nut butters

Vary your protein sources for a healthy, well-rounded pregnancy diet. Balance lean meats with plant-based alternatives like legumes, nuts and seeds.

Answers to Other Common Questions

Here are some other frequently asked questions I get about chicken sausage and pregnancy:

Is chicken sausage okay if I’m nauseous?

While the protein may help, chicken sausage isn’t necessarily recommended as a remedy for nausea. Stick to the BRAT diet or other bland foods your doctor suggests until nausea improves.

Can the seasonings in chicken sausage cause issues?

Avoid seasoned chicken sausage with excessive sodium or artificial ingredients. Read labels and choose plain or lightly seasoned varieties if you are concerned.

Will eating chicken sausage increase food aversions?

Sudden food aversions are common during pregnancy. But no evidence shows chicken sausage specifically contributes to this. Listen to your own body’s cues.

Can I get chicken sausage from my work cafeteria?

Exercising caution with any public eatery during pregnancy is wise. Make sure the chicken sausage is thoroughly cooked. A vegetarian option may be safer.

Are chicken sausages processed like hot dogs?

Chicken sausages and hot dogs both involve processing. But chicken sausage typically undergoes less curing, smoking and nitrates. Read labels and choose low-sodium, organic, uncured chicken sausage if concerned.

The Takeaway on Chicken Sausage and Pregnancy

At the end of the day, the risks surrounding occasional moderate chicken sausage consumption during pregnancy are very low. As long as you follow basic food safety guidelines, purchase from reputable sources, and cook it thoroughly, chicken sausage can be part of a healthy prenatal diet.

However, no one knows your body better than you. If chicken sausage is a concern, alternative protein choices are plentiful. Discuss any questions with your OB-GYN or registered dietician. They can provide personalized advice to support your needs and preferences.

Above all, listen to your body’s signals. If certain foods make you uneasy, avoid them regardless of broad safety assurances. Food aversions and cravings during pregnancy can be strange! Respect what your gut tells you.

Trust yourself to make the right choices for your baby’s health – and don’t stress excessively! With some sound judgment when choosing and preparing foods, you can satisfy those sausage cravings confidently.