Eating sausages during pregnancy (2023)

Sausage tastes delicious and can enhance the flavor of soups and sandwiches. Many women crave it during pregnancy and it is safe to include in a pregnancy diet as long as it is thoroughly cooked and consumed in moderate amounts. However, certain unwanted pregnancy complications can also occur. So, should you include it in your pregnancy diet or not? Read on to learn the benefits and side effects of eating sausage when pregnant and to make an informed decision.

Can pregnant women eat sausage?

Yes, sausage can be eaten without hesitation during pregnancy. But like any other meat, it is necessary that you cook it at the right temperature and time so that it is cooked through without the juice in the core. As mentioned, it is safe to eat but not the healthiest choice as it can lead to some unnecessary pregnancy complications. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before including it in your pregnancy diet.

Types of sausage – safe and unsafe

Here are some of the common types of sausage. Some of them are safe to include in a pregnancy diet and some are not. Read on to find out which ones to include in your diet. However, eat it in moderate amounts.

1. Dry or semi-dry sowsage

Dry or semi-dry sausage is usually mixed with meat (either chopped or ground), cultured well, and then preserved by adding sodium nitrite and salt. Sausage casings are then used to enclose the filling where it is fermented and then dried. Many popular sausages such as bologna or pepperoni fall under the raw or semi-dry sausage category.

safety tips

In most processes by which these sausages are prepared, such as fermentation and drying, the dehydration results in the killing of any disease-causing bacteria. But some of them can still stay. Therefore, it is best not to eat raw sausages during pregnancy.

2. Boiled or smoked sausage

Everyone likes well-seasoned, boiled and smoked sausage made from minced or ground beef. A wide range of sausages such as cooked bratwurst, salami, bologna, hot dogs and the like are either boiled or smoked.

safety tips

The cooking process frees these sausages from bacteria. So if they are not well cooked and not hot, avoid eating them.

3. Fresh sausage

Fresh sausage is made from shredded cuts of meat that have been properly cured and seasoned to be freshly prepared. Most sausages that are made with pork, beef, or other sausages that are great for breakfast and originated in Italian cuisine tend to be fresh sausages.

safety tips

These sausages are safe for consumption during pregnancy. However, care must be taken to ensure that they are properly chilled when stored and thoroughly cooked before consumption.

Benefits of Eating Sausage During Pregnancy

Sausage is known to contain amino acids that provide high-quality protein, making it a healthy option overall. It is also a rich source of vitamins, especially vitamin B12. Another key element present in significant amounts in sausage is iron. This complements the retention of theblood hemoglobin levelto an optimal level that prevents the occurrence ofAnämie.

Side Effects of Eating Sausage During Pregnancy

Below are some side effects of eating sausages during pregnancy.

1. Preterm birth or miscarriage

Eating sausage during pregnancy can lead to a risk of listeria.Listeriais a specific bacterium that can affect pregnancy, resulting in consequences such aspremature birth,miscarriagesand in the worst case, stillbirth.

2. A higher likelihood of developing other diseases

The symptoms of salmonella infection are severe. Nausea, severe abdominal pain followed byDiarrhea, vomiting and frequent dehydration are also some complications that can occur if you eat sausage while pregnant and contract salmonella. This can be further aggravated by high fever and body aches. Another parasite that causes toxoplasmosis can lead to premature birth, jaundice and convulsions in the mother.

3. Heartburn

Many spicy sausages can cause thisheartburn, and you may have trouble sleeping.

4. Pregnancy complications

There is always a high chance of microbes living in meat, which can lead to unwanted pregnancy complications. It is therefore recommended that you cook it properly before including it in your pregnancy diet and avoid complications.

5. An increased amount of sodium and fat in the body

Almost 27% of sausage consists of fat, of which 10% is saturated fat. Likewise, 1.2% of the sausage consists of sodium. Eating too much sausage can increase sodium and fat levels in your body and lead to unwanted complications.

Tips for safe consumption of sausages during pregnancy

If you want to eat sausages during pregnancy, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

• Always consume the sausage when it is piping hot. If not, keep reheating to the appropriate temperature and then consume.

• Avoid eating sausages that are not well cooked.

• Do not store sausages in the refrigerator for more than two days. If consuming after the specified length of time, ensure they are fully reheated and cooked hot.

• Be careful not to let any raw meat come near the sausage you plan to eat. The meat juices could get into the sausage and allow bacteria to thrive.

• Some sausages are uncooked, others are ready to eat. Make sure you cook both at the right temperature before consuming them.

• Always opt for sausages that are less spicy and contain significantly less sodium.

Tasty sausage recipes you can try

If you want to enjoy delicious sausage dishes, here are some recipes you can try.

1. Baked sausages with butter beans

Baked sausages with butter beans taste delicious. Here's how you can craft them.

Ingredients

• Sausages - 4-5
• Drained Butter Beans - 2 cups
• Brown Onion (chopped) – 1
• coriander leaves
• tomatoes(chopped) – 1
• Garlic Cloves – 2-3
• Pepper hacked – 2

How to prepare

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C for about 20-25 minutes.
2. Place the onions and peppers in a baking sheet and then the sausages on top. Leave the sheet in the oven and bake for about 18-20 minutes.
3. Once cooked, add the butter beans, garlic, and tomatoes and mix well.
4. Add some water until the mixture is juicy.
5. Follow it with sausages and cover with foil. Place the sheet in the oven and bake for the same amount of time.
6. Before serving, remove and garnish with coriander.

2. Sausage casserole

Sausage casserole tastes delicious and also fills you up. Here is the recipe for sausage casserole.

Ingredients

• Sausages - 6-7
• Boiled Potatoes – 2
• Cheddar Cheese - 1 cup
• Tomato puree - 1 cup
• Currypulver – 1 TL
• chicken broth
• Sunflower Oil – 1-2 tbsp
• Drained beans - 1 cup
• Bean sauce - 1 cup
• Carrots - 1/2 cup
• Chopped Onion (medium) – 1
• Water

How to prepare

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Heat some oil in a pan and fry the sausages in it. Transfer them to a plate and sauté the onions and carrots in them.
3. Add the beans, tomato puree, curry powder and chicken broth to the mixture and cook over low heat for 8-10 minutes.
4. Mash the boiled potatoes in a separate bowl.
5. Take a casserole dish and put some sausages in it. Add the bean sauce and mashed potatoes, then the bean and tomato curry mixture, followed by some more sausages.
6. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes and then enjoy.

3. Sausages glazed with honey

Would you like to eat something sweet and spicy? Make honey glazed sausages. Check out the recipe below –

Ingredients

• Wurst – 4
• Honig – 3 EL
• Vinegar – 1 tsp
• Cinnamon - 1/2 tsp
• Olive oil – 1 tbsp
• Brown Sugar – 1 tsp
• Sesamsamen – 1 TL
• Water
• oil for cooking

How to prepare

1. Put some oil in a pan and cook the sausages for about 20 minutes.
2. In another pan, take some honey and sugar and bring to the boil.
3. Remove the fat from the sausage pan and cook again over medium heat.
4. Pour the vinegar-honey-sugar mixture into the pan with the sausages. Stir constantly so the sausages don't stick.
5. Once they're done cooking, combine them with mashed potatoes and serve.

frequently asked Questions

1. Is It Safe To Eat Chorizo ​​When Pregnant?

Since it is a pork sausage, it should be consumed in moderate amounts. However, it is best avoided.

2. Can I eat bratwurst when pregnant?

Hot sausage tastes delicious, but consuming it in large quantities can cause heartburn. Therefore, it is best to avoid in pregnancy. If you want to enjoy hot sausages, consume them only occasionally.

3. Can pregnant women eat wieners?

Vienna sausages are made from pre-cooked sausages, which may contain bacteria, and they also contain elevated levels of nitrite and sodium nitrate. Therefore, they are best avoided in pregnancy.

4. Is It Safe to Consume Italian Sausages?

Occasional consumption is not harmful because it contains a lot of fat and calories.

Sausages can be eaten during pregnancy, but cooking them properly is extremely important to avoid harm to the baby. By consuming them occasionally and taking all precautions, you can feast on your favorite foods and have a healthy pregnancy.

Also read:

Eat chicken during pregnancy
Eating eggs during pregnancy
Eat fish when pregnant