{"id":25352,"date":"2025-02-06T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T08:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=25352"},"modified":"2025-07-30T13:38:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T13:38:20","slug":"cured-meats-during-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/pregnancy\/cured-meats-during-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Cured meats during pregnancy: what are the risks?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During pregnancy, there is a significant list of dietary restrictions to follow. It can sometimes be difficult to know which foods are safe to eat. What about cured meats? Raw or smoked ham, rillettes, sausage, bacon, p\u00e2t\u00e9, foie gras\u2026 can you enjoy them without risk?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnancy and cured meats: let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nutrition during pregnancy<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foods to avoid<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your diet during pregnancy requires some adjustments. The goal is to avoid the risk of contracting infections such as <strong>listeriosis<\/strong> or <strong>toxoplasmosis<\/strong>. Here is a list of foods to avoid:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw or smoked fish,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw shellfish,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft or fresh cheeses made from raw or unpasteurized milk,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Undercooked meats,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw, unpasteurized eggs,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gelatinous meats (rillettes, foie gras, p\u00e2t\u00e9s\u2026),<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cured meats.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Precautions to take<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to dietary precautions, here are some hygiene practices to adopt to protect yourself from foodborne infections:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cook meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 68\u00b0C to kill parasites and bacteria.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash your hands before and after handling raw food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clean kitchen surfaces and utensils carefully to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Store raw food separately from cooked food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clean your refrigerator regularly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitor expiration dates and food storage conditions to avoid bacterial growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The risks of eating cured meats during pregnancy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During pregnancy, diet becomes a crucial subject. Among the foods to avoid: <strong>cured meats.<\/strong> There is indeed a potential risk of contamination by <strong>listeriosis<\/strong> and <strong>toxoplasmosis<\/strong>. Let\u2019s explore why these infections are concerning and how they can affect both your health and your baby\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listeriosis<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listeriosis is an infection caused by the Listeria bacterium. It can go unnoticed in healthy individuals but can have more serious consequences for pregnant women. This bacterium can be found in many foods such as cured meats\u2014whether raw or cooked (e.g., raw ham or rillettes)\u2014and also throughout your home and environment (hence the importance of hygiene practices in food handling). After an incubation period of about two months, the main symptoms of listeriosis usually include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High fever (often the first noticeable symptom)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headaches,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes digestive issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, or infection at birth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Listeria is a bacterium, it\u2019s not possible to be immune to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toxoplasmosis<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that is usually <strong>mild<\/strong> and <strong>asymptomatic<\/strong>, but can be concerning during pregnancy because it can cross the <strong>placental barrier<\/strong>. It is often transmitted through undercooked pork or other meats or contact with contaminated surfaces. If you are not immune to toxoplasmosis, it is strongly recommended to undergo <strong>serological monitoring<\/strong> during your pregnancy. Contracting toxoplasmosis while pregnant can increase the risk of<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> congenital birth defects in the fetus, particularly neurological and ocular disorders.<\/span><span style=\"color: #152e2d; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 1.85rem;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/1pblulz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download the May app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10028\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-pregnant-woman-eats-fruit-selective-focus-2024-12-19-12-16-27-utc-scaled.webp\" alt=\"charcuterie grossesse\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1481\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-pregnant-woman-eats-fruit-selective-focus-2024-12-19-12-16-27-utc-scaled.webp 2560w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-pregnant-woman-eats-fruit-selective-focus-2024-12-19-12-16-27-utc-300x174.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-pregnant-woman-eats-fruit-selective-focus-2024-12-19-12-16-27-utc-1024x592.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-pregnant-woman-eats-fruit-selective-focus-2024-12-19-12-16-27-utc-768x444.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-pregnant-woman-eats-fruit-selective-focus-2024-12-19-12-16-27-utc-1536x889.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-pregnant-woman-eats-fruit-selective-focus-2024-12-19-12-16-27-utc-2048x1185.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>Alternatives to cured meats during pregnancy<\/span><span style=\"color: #152e2d; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 1.85rem;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you\u2019ve probably understood, you\u2019ll unfortunately have to skip cured meats for a few months! But don\u2019t worry\u2014there are still plenty of foods you can safely enjoy during pregnancy. Here are a few examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can go for well-cooked meats such as roasted chicken or braised beef, which reduce the risk of pathogen contamination.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can choose fish, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">always well-cooked, which are excellent sources of protein essential for fetal development.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can eat legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, or beans, which are rich in protein and fiber.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can eat hard cheeses or those made from pasteurized milk.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can eat eggs, also well-cooked, which are an excellent source of nutrients.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, during pregnancy, it&#8217;s recommended to take precautions to avoid the risks of listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, particularly by avoiding cured meats. By opting for well-cooked meats, maintaining strict hygiene in the kitchen, and choosing prepackaged products, you can safely enjoy your meals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10029\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/smiling-pregnant-woman-in-kitchen-2024-01-29-22-13-41-utc-scaled.webp\" alt=\"charcuterie grossesse\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/smiling-pregnant-woman-in-kitchen-2024-01-29-22-13-41-utc-scaled.webp 2560w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/smiling-pregnant-woman-in-kitchen-2024-01-29-22-13-41-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/smiling-pregnant-woman-in-kitchen-2024-01-29-22-13-41-utc-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/smiling-pregnant-woman-in-kitchen-2024-01-29-22-13-41-utc-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/smiling-pregnant-woman-in-kitchen-2024-01-29-22-13-41-utc-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/smiling-pregnant-woman-in-kitchen-2024-01-29-22-13-41-utc-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US\/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>**<br \/>\nPhotos : yanadjana | seventyfourimages<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During pregnancy, there is a significant list of dietary restrictions to follow. It can sometimes be difficult to know which foods are safe to eat. What about cured meats? Raw or smoked ham, rillettes, sausage, bacon, p\u00e2t\u00e9, foie gras\u2026 can you enjoy them without risk? Pregnancy and cured meats: let\u2019s take a closer look. Nutrition [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":19317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[186],"tags":[165],"class_list":["post-25352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy","tag-pregnancy-nutrition"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25352"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25358,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25352\/revisions\/25358"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}