Is Uncured Ham Safe to Eat During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy comes with a lot of dos and don’ts around food safety One frequent question is whether uncured ham is safe to eat during pregnancy With confusing advice about cured versus uncured meats, it’s understandable that expectant moms may be unsure.

This article breaks down what exactly uncured ham is the potential risks and how to enjoy it safely during pregnancy.

Defining Uncured Ham

Uncured ham refers to ham or other pork products that do not use sodium nitrite or nitrate during processing, These are common curing agents used to preserve meats and give them their characteristic pink color,

Instead of nitrites/nitrates, uncured ham may use:

Sea salt
Natural preservatives like lemon or cherry juice

Celery juice or powder (contains natural nitrates)

While touted as more “natural,” uncured meats use alternative curing methods to achieve a similar shelf life and taste as traditional cured meat. They are not necessarily safer.

Is Uncured Ham Risky During Pregnancy?

Like other luncheon meats, both cured and uncured ham may pose a small risk of contamination from bacteria like Listeria or Toxoplasma.

When pregnant, contracting these illnesses can lead to:

Miscarriage
Preterm labor

Fetal abnormalities

However, avoiding all higher risk foods does not guarantee safety. Practicing proper handling and cooking helps minimize exposure.

Safely Enjoying Uncured Ham While Pregnant

Here are some tips for safely eating uncured ham in pregnancy:

Purchase Quality Brands

High-end, reputable brands adhere to stricter safety protocols during processing. Check labels for:

USDA/FDA certification
Quality ingredient sourcing

Proper preservation methods

Choosing quality uncured ham reduces potential contaminants.

Cook Thoroughly Before Eating

Heating uncured ham to 165°F internally kills any lurking pathogens. Reheating until steaming is recommended before consuming.

Avoid Cross-Contamination

Use separate plates and utensils for raw versus cooked uncured ham. Wash hands, surfaces, and knives that touched raw meat before reuse.

Check Ingredient Labels

Some uncured hams may still contain small amounts of sodium nitrite from included celery powder/juice. Check labels if trying to avoid nitrites completely.

Refrigerate Promptly

Refrigerate fresh or cooked uncured ham within 2 hours of purchasing or preparing. Toxins can grow if left at room temperature too long.

Freeze for Long-Term Storage

Freeze uncured ham expected to last beyond 3-5 days. Freezing prevents spoilage and bacteria growth.

Verify Best By Dates

Check uncured ham packages for expiration or “use by” dates. Do not consume past these dates when bacteria risk is higher.

Reheat Leftovers

Leftover uncured ham should be reheated fully when taken out again. Do not eat cold leftovers as bacteria can regrow.

Following basic food safety guidelines reduces the already low risks of illness from uncured ham in pregnancy.

Health Benefits of Uncured Ham

When safety protocols are followed, uncured ham can be incorporated into a healthy pregnancy diet in moderation. It provides key nutrients like:

Protein – For baby’s growth and development as well as maintaining maternal muscles and tissues.
Iron – Preventing maternal anemia and promoting blood volume expansion.

Choline – Important for baby’s brain and spinal cord development.
Vitamin B6 & B12 – Supporting red blood cell production and energy levels.
Zinc – Aiding fetal immune system and enzyme function development.

Phosphorus – Helping build baby’s bones and teeth.

Uncured ham can be an occasional part of a well-rounded pregnancy diet when properly handled. Some even prefer its flavor over cured options.

Healthier Ways to Enjoy Uncured Ham

For moms hoping to limit nitrates/nitrites or sodium from traditional cured meats, uncured ham can be a better choice during pregnancy when used in moderation.

Some healthier recipes to try:

Ham & Swiss Omelet – Eggs provide extra protein and choline. Use just a little shredded uncured ham.
Ham Salad Wrap – Mix ham with Greek yogurt, celery, onion, mustard, salt and pepper.

Ham & Pineapple Skewers – For a light grilled option, thread ham/pineapple chunks onto skewers. Brush with honey.
Veggie Ham Soup – Dice a small amount of uncured ham to flavor a vegetable bean soup.
Ham & Fruit Salad – Toss ham pieces into a salad with melon, berries, apple, greens, nuts and light dressing.

While deli meats should not be a dietary staple, the occasional uncured ham sandwich, salad topping, or soup mix-in can be a safe and nutritional choice during pregnancy when following proper precautions.

Signs of Listeria or Toxoplasmosis

Despite best efforts to prevent illness, pregnant women should still watch for symptoms of Listeria or Toxoplasmosis which may indicate infection. These include:

Fever

Muscle aches
Fatigue
Vomiting

Diarrhea
Stomach pain

Promptly contact your doctor if experiencing multiple symptoms for evaluation and treatment. Early intervention is key to avoid pregnancy complications.

The Bottom Line on Uncured Ham in Pregnancy

Can you eat uncured deli meat while pregnant? With proper handling and cooking, uncured ham poses minimal risks and can be safely enjoyed during pregnancy. Choosing quality brands, heating thoroughly, avoiding cross-contamination, and monitoring expiration dates are key.

While not 100% risk-free, uncured ham provides health benefits when consumed occasionally as part of a balanced prenatal diet. Being informed on proper selection, preparation, storage and reheating allows expectant mothers to confidently incorporate uncured ham.

As always, check with your own doctor about any dietary restrictions or concerns. With some common sense precautions, even moms-to-be craving a tasty ham sandwich can fulfil their craving during pregnancy!

Are deli meats safe during pregnancy? Dietitian explains

FAQ

Is uncured meat safe to eat when pregnant?

During pregnancy, you should be careful what foods you eat in order to get your protein. In particular, it is advised that you avoid eating meat and cured meats that are raw, just as you should avoid eating raw fruit and vegetables, if they’re not washed properly.

What ham can I eat when pregnant?

It is safe to eat cold, pre-packed meats such as ham and corned beef. Although the risk is low, you may also prefer to avoid raw cured meat, such as parma ham, chorizo, pepperoni and salami. Cured meats are not cooked, so they may parasites in them that cause toxoplasmosis.

Can I eat deli ham while pregnant?

The safest course of action to protect your baby is to avoid deli meats until after pregnancy. If you plan to eat deli meats anyway, we highly suggest cooking them until they are steaming. If the meat is heated to steaming, any present Listeria bacteria should no longer be alive.

Can you eat fully cooked uncured bacon when pregnant?

You can enjoy bacon safely during pregnancy. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly, until it’s steaming hot. Avoid ordering bacon at a restaurant because you don’t know how well it’s cooked. If you want to avoid all risks completely, there are meat-free bacon alternatives available, like soy or mushroom bacon.

Can you eat ham during pregnancy?

Here’s the bottom line on ham (and other deli meats) during pregnancy: Nearly all types of food can carry listeria, not just deli meats. According to the CDC, pregnant women are ten times more likely to get sick from listeria. However, listeriosis, while very serious, is still extremely rare.

How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?

Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.

Are cold ham slices safe during pregnancy?

Cold ham slices that you get pre-packaged or from the deli counter are more likely to host bad bacteria. They also contain nitrites/nitrates, preservatives that are likely not the best to have too much of during pregnancy, if at all.

Can you eat Parma ham during pregnancy?

The NHS advises being cautious with Parma ham or other cured meats during pregnancy, unless it is cooked throughly. This is because cold cured meats like Parma ham are not typically cooked before serving, so may contain the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, an infection which can cause miscarriage.