can you eat pork pie while pregnant

Can You Eat Pork Pie While Pregnant? A Complete Guide

Pork pie is a classic British dish that many love to indulge in However, if you find out you’re expecting, you may wonder if it’s still safe to enjoy this tasty treat during pregnancy

With all the dos and don’ts around eating when pregnant, it’s understandable to have questions about certain foods. So let’s explore the safety of pork pie in pregnancy and everything you need to know about enjoying this savory snack while expecting.

What is Pork Pie?

First, let’s start with what exactly pork pie is. Pork pie is a type of meat pie made from pork and pork fat, typically baked in a pastry crust. The filling consists of roughly chopped pork and pork fat, surrounded by a layer of jellied pork stock.

Traditional pork pies use hot water crust pastry, which is made by boiling lard and water to create the dough. The crust is molded by hand, often using a jam jar or pie mold for support.

Pork pies are usually served cold or at room temperature and make for a tasty snack, appetizer, or addition to a picnic spread. They are especially popular in Britain and commonly eaten around holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Easter.

While recipes can vary, most pork pies contain some combination of these ingredients:

• Chopped or minced pork, often shoulder or belly cuts
• Pork back fat
• Pork stock or jelly
• Hot water crust pastry
• Herbs and spices like black pepper, sage, thyme
• Eggs to glaze the top

The pork filling is thoroughly cooked during the baking process until piping hot throughout. This kills any potentially harmful bacteria, making pork pies safe to eat.

Can You Eat Pork Pie While Pregnant?

The good news is that it is generally safe to eat pork pie in moderation during pregnancy, as long as you take the proper precautions.

Since the pork is pre-cooked, the risk of consuming undercooked, contaminated meat is low. However, it’s still vital to double check that the pork pie you eat is thoroughly cooked all the way through.

When baking your own pork pie, use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F. If heating up a store-bought pie, check the instructions and reheat to 165°F or until steaming hot.

You also want to evaluate any other ingredients in the pork pie. For example, some recipes call for uncooked eggs, soft cheeses, or cured meats, which should be avoided during pregnancy. Read labels carefully and know exactly what is in a pork pie before eating it.

As with any treat, it’s smart to enjoy pork pie in moderation when pregnant. The pastry, pork fat, and sodium content mean that pork pies tend to be high in calories, fat, and salt.

Consuming too many fatty, salty foods can lead to issues like excessive weight gain, increased blood pressure, and swelling. Stick to a reasonable portion and balance it out with nutritious foods for your other meals and snacks.

Nutrition Profile of Pork Pie

Here is the nutrition information for a typical 2.5 ounce (70 gram) serving of pork pie:

• Calories: 330
• Total fat: 24g
• Saturated fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sodium: 540mg
• Total carbs: 12g
• Protein: 13g

Pork pies provide protein, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, iron, and magnesium. However, they are high in saturated fat and sodium, so balance your intake accordingly.

Benefits of Pork Pie in Pregnancy

In moderation, pork pie can be part of a healthy pregnancy diet. Here are some of the benefits it provides:

• Protein for baby’s growth – Pork is an excellent source of protein, which is vital for your developing baby’s cells and tissues. The 13g of protein per serving helps meet increased protein needs during pregnancy.

• Energy from carbs – The pastry crust provides carbohydrates that serve as a good source of energy for an expectant mother.

• Iron prevents anemia – Pork contains heme iron, which is more easily absorbed than plant-based iron. Adequate iron intake decreases the risk of iron-deficiency anemia.

• B vitamins prevent defects – Pork provides B vitamins like B12, niacin, and riboflavin that support fetal health and development. Deficiencies in B vitamins increase the risk of birth defects.

• Zinc for immunity – The zinc in pork pie helps maintain a healthy immune system during pregnancy to ward off infections.

As long as it’s thoroughly cooked, pork pie can be a tasty way to get important nutrients for you and baby. But it’s still vital to consume in moderation and get nutrients from diverse whole food sources.

Risks and Precautions of Eating Pork Pie

Although pork pie is generally considered safe in pregnancy when prepared properly, there are still some potential risks to be aware of. Here are some precautions to take:

• Avoid soft, unpasteurized cheeses – Some pork pie recipes call for soft cheeses like brie or feta, which could contain bacteria like listeria. Only use pasteurized cheese or cheeses cooked to 160°F.

• Check for raw eggs – Raw or undercooked eggs may be present in the crust or as a glaze. Cook any eggs until firm or avoid pies with them.

• Reheat thoroughly – Always reheat leftover pork pie to 165°F and check that it’s steaming hot throughout before eating.

• Watch your portion – It’s easy to overindulge in the fatty, salty pie. Stick to a 1-2 slice serving and avoid eating pork pie every day.

• Check for cured meats – Some recipes add bacon, ham, salami or other cured pork. These meats increase sodium intake and may harbor parasites if not thoroughly cooked.

Following basic food safety practices and listening to your body is key. Avoid pork pies with questionable ingredients and stop eating them if you experience any stomach upset.

Healthy Pregnancy Diet Tips

While the occasional slice of pork pie is fine for most healthy pregnancies, you want to focus your diet largely on nutritious whole foods like:

• Fruits and vegetables – Eat a rainbow of produce to get fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Aim for at least 2-3 servings of vegetables and 2-3 servings of fruit per day.

• Lean proteins – Choose proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, beans, tofu, and low-fat dairy for growth and repair. Shoot for 5-6 ounces of protein foods daily.

• Whole grains – Opt for 100% whole grain breads, oats, quinoa, brown rice, and other grains to get fiber, B vitamins, and energy. Make at least half your grains whole.

• Healthy fats – Include healthy fat sources like olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado, and fatty fish in moderation. They provide essential fatty acids for brain development.

• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water, milk, and other fluids to stay hydrated. Try for around 10 8-oz cups of fluids per day.

Focusing your diet on nutrient-dense foods like these will help ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you and baby need for a healthy pregnancy.

The Verdict on Eating Pork Pie

Can you indulge in delicious pork pie when you have a bun in the oven? In most cases, yes. As long as you take precautions like:

• Checking the pork pie is thoroughly cooked
• Avoiding unpasteurized cheese or raw eggs
• Reheating to safe temperatures
• Eating in moderation

An occasional slice of hearty pork pie can be part of a well-rounded pregnancy diet. But, always put food safety first and get nutrition from wholesome sources like lean proteins, fruits and veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats.

With the right balance, you can safely satisfy a pork pie craving on your pregnancy journey. Just be mindful of portions and preparation. As long as you follow basic food safety principles, both you and your growing baby can enjoy this British classic.