Is pepperoni safe during pregnancy

Can Pregnant Women Eat Pepperoni? On Pizza, Raw, and More

A lot of us eat what we love without giving too much thought to what’s in it — that is until those two pink lines on a home pregnancy test change our perspective on everything.

And while we’re pretty sure pepperoni doesn’t contain any of those major off-limits ingredients we’ve been warned about — like alcohol and raw tuna — we wonder if there’s anything cautionary about this popular pizza topper that we should know.

Pregnant pizza lovers rejoice: That pepperoni topping your sliced savory pie is typically fine. But there are a few things you should know before you open a cold snack pack and chow down.

Because pepperoni is, well, delicious, we don’t tend to give it the somewhat offensive moniker of “mystery meat.” But how many of us really know what it is?

It’s a type of salami.

If that didn’t clear things up enough, here’s a bit more about pepperoni:

It’s typically made from beef and pork trimmings. No, we can’t tell you what part of the animal these come from.
It’s heavily spiced up with chili peppers, cayenne, paprika, salt, and perhaps other seasonings.
It’s dried and cured (read: raw), often using nitrates and nitrites as preservatives.

We’re guessing that last one got your attention!

When is it OK to eat raw meat when pregnant? When it’s cooked.

And because pizza is typically baked in a super-hot pizza oven (or reheated in your microwave if previously frozen) after toppings are added, the pepperoni on your pie is just fine. (We’ll look the other way if you have a particular affinity for the kind that curls into little oil-filled meat cups once baked.)

But as we’ll elaborate on in a moment, pepperoni isn’t the healthiest food on the planet — and that pizza it’s sitting on isn’t exactly a bed of lettuce. So eating cooked pepperoni in moderation is probably a good plan.

Unlike with that piping hot pizza pie, there are a few problems with consuming cold pepperoni slices if you’re pregnant.

As a cured deli meat, pepperoni is technically uncooked. Uncooked meats can harbor bacteria and parasites like listeria and toxoplasma, respectively.

When a person who isn’t pregnant consumes foods contaminated with these toxins, they’re typically unaffected. But a pregnant person has a weakened immune system and is more likely to get sick with food poisoning, like listeriosis or toxoplasmosis. This can be dangerous for you and your baby.

Another thing to consider is the nitrates and nitrites often used to preserve pepperoni. While the jury is out on whether these are truly problematic, many pregnant people prefer to avoid them.

If you’re not bothered by preservatives and really want to eat a few slices, you can zap them in the microwave or put them in a baked dish — or fry them up with your scrambled eggs. But it’s best to avoid pepperoni out of the bag or sliced at the deli counter.

As mentioned, raw meats can harbor bacteria and parasites that can lead to infections — and these infections can, in rare cases, cause harm to your developing baby.

If you believe you’ve consumed unsafe meat, or if you notice any of the following symptoms — particularly in the first trimester — contact your doctor right away:

fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
nausea or vomiting
diarrhea
muscle aches
swollen glands

Although rare (with an estimated 300 to 4,000 cases annually), toxoplasmosis that reaches your baby can cause developmental delays, hearing loss, or vision problems.

If you have listeriosis, especially during the first trimester, your risk of miscarriage increases. In the third trimester, you may experience premature labor or have a low birth weight baby. If your baby gets the infection late in your pregnancy, their risk goes up for health problems like developmental delays, seizures, and other impairments.

As you probably can guess, pepperoni — while safe for you to consume on a pizza or otherwise cooked — isn’t the healthiest snack. A single ounce portion of one popular brand of this sliced meat contains:

140 calories
5 grams of protein
13 grams fat (17 percent of the recommended daily amount)
5 grams saturated fat (25 percent of the recommended daily amount)
500 milligrams sodium (22 percent of the recommended daily amount)

Although protein is important in pregnancy (and so is fat!), we’re going to give it to you straight: Lean proteins and healthy fats are better choices in pregnancy and in life. But as they say: Everything in moderation.

Like other cured salamis, pepperoni is a raw food. Whether from the deli counter or out of the bag, you should avoid eating it cold because it can harbor bacteria that can harm your developing baby.

However, cooked pepperoni is fine. So when that triple meat lover’s pizza craving hits, you can feel safe indulging — just be mindful that it probably shouldn’t be an everyday thing, and that a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats will serve you well during these 9 months.

Can You Eat Pepperoni When Pregnant?

No matter how hygienically prepared, eating pepperoni when pregnant warrants caution.

Research-backed

MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us.

Image: Shutterstock

Pepperoni is an Italian-American variation of salami and is prepared with cured beef and pork seasoned with different spices. While relishing its spicy flavor isn’t a cause for concern in general, knowing about the safety of eating pepperoni during pregnancy is vital if you are pregnant.

Pepperoni can increase your risk of foodborne infections if consumed raw or undercooked. Since pregnant women have naturally lower immunity, knowing about the safety of pepperoni before adding it to your diet is necessary. Keep reading to know about the safety of pepperoni for pregnant women, including its side effects and safer alternatives.

Related: Eating Spicy Food When Pregnant: Safety, Risks And Tips

Is It Safe To Eat Pepperoni During Pregnancy?

Image: Shutterstock

Pepperoni is not a healthy food you should have during pregnancy. It is high in fats, salts, and spices. But if you have a strong craving for it, you might take it in moderate amounts.

The cured meat could be vulnerable to the exposure of toxoplasmosis bacteria. Therefore, eat the pizza or pasta topped with pepperoni that is cooked thoroughly or is piping hot (heat could kill the bacteria) (1).

Some of the possible risks of overeating pepperoni include indigestion, weight gain, ulcers, and water retention. You may eat the one that does not have nitrates and nitrites or use shredded chicken or lean ground beef as toppings.

Quick fact

Heating dishes containing pepperoni to an internal temperature above 165°F may make it suitable for consumption during pregnancy.

Related: 5 Reasons Why It Is Unsafe To Have Deli Meats In Pregnancy

Possible Side Effects Of Pepperoni During Pregnancy

Think before you extensively add pepperoni to your diet. The ingredients and preservatives used in it could affect you and your baby.

Pepperoni is a high-fat food that offers around 141 calories and 13g of fat in a one-ounce serving (2). They are mostly saturated fats that may result in unhealthy weight gain and other problems such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and heart disease.
Cured and salted meats contain nitrite and nitrate They could react with meat components and produce nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic (3).
The spicy content of pepperoni is likely to cause heartburn.

Image: Shutterstock

One ounce of pepperoni contains around 443mg sodium (2). It increases the salt content in the body, and a study has found that high sodium intake during pregnancy can adversely affect fetal renal functions (4). If you are worried about the side effects of taking pepperoni, you may try some alternatives.

Did you know?

Pepperoni may contain several spices such as paprika, black pepper, mustard seeds, Cayenne pepper, and red pepper.

Safer Alternatives To Pepperoni

Go for pepperoni made of turkey as it contains fewer fats and saturated fats.
Read the label before you buy commercial pepperoni. Take the one that has no nitrates and nitrites.
Image: Shutterstock
Make your pizza with whole-grain tortilla or pita, and substitute pepperoni with lean meats such as grilled chicken breast and lean ground turkey.

Next, we answer some common queries raised by our readers about pepperoni and pregnancy.

1. Can I eat cold pepperoni during pregnancy?

Cold pepperoni is safe to eat only if the label says the product is ready to eat. The risk of bacteria is reduced when it is frozen (5). But the risk of getting toxoplasmosis or listeriosis from cold meats can’t be completely ruled out. Therefore, you may consider eating topped pepperoni that is hot and properly cooked.

2. Can I eat raw pepperoni when pregnant?

Raw pepperoni poses the risk of toxoplasmosis that is usually associated with raw meat. Toxoplasmosis could increase the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage and cause congenital disabilities in babies (6).

3. Does pepperoni contain listeria?

Pepperoni is a cold cured meat and holds less chance of carrying listeria bacteria as freezing kills the parasite.

4. Is uncured pepperoni safe during pregnancy?

Uncured meats are cured with natural products such as celery powder rather than nitrates. There is no evidence to say that uncured meat is safer than cured one.

5. Can I have Hormel pepperoni when pregnant?

Hormel pepperoni contains nitrite preservatives, high saturated fats, added sugars, and high sodium content. Therefore, it is good to avoid it for your overall health.

Pepperoni is prepared from beef or pork and contains high amounts of fats, spices, and salt. Further, improper handling, storage, or cooking of pepperoni can lead to food infections. Hence, eating pepperoni when pregnant is not recommended since it may negatively affect the fetus. Instead, you could pick healthier alternatives, such as lean meats or pepperoni made from turkey. Be careful to avoid commercial pepperoni that is rich in nitrites and nitrates. Finally, discuss the safety of consuming pepperoni when pregnant with your healthcare provider or nutritionist.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Food prep for pregnancy; Northwell Health; 2018
https://www.northwell.edu/news/food-prep-for-pregnancy
Pepperoni beef and pork sliced; Basic Report 174575; USDA
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174575/nutrients
Caiping Mao et al.; High-salt diets during pregnancy affected fetal and offspring renal renin–angiotensin system; J Endocrinol (2015)
https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4406098/
Foods to avoid in pregnancy; NHS (2017)
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/foods-to-avoid-pregnant/
Erin Digitale; NIH study supports screening pregnant women for toxoplasmosis; Stanford Medicine (2012)
https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2012/04/13/nih-study-supports-screening-pregnant-women-for-toxoplasmosis/

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Is it possible to eat pepperoni during pregnancy?

Contents

What is pepperoni?
When to eat pepperoni during pregnancy
When not to eat pepperoni during pregnancy
Risks of eating raw pepperoni during pregnancy
Nutritional value of pepperoni during pregnancy
Conclusion

overthinking what they contain—until those two pink lines on a homemade pregnancy test change the way we look at everything. nine0003

And while we're pretty sure pepperoni doesn't contain any of the major banned ingredients we've been warned about, like alcohol and raw tuna, we wonder if there's anything cautionary about this popular pizza we know .

Pregnant pizza lovers rejoice: This pepperoni topping a sliced savory pie is usually good. But there are a few things you should be aware of before you open a package of cold snacks and eat it. nine0003

What is pepperoni?

Since pepperoni is, well, we don't tend to give it the somewhat offensive nickname "mystery meat". But how many of us really know what it is?

This is a type of salami.

If that's not enough, here's more about pepperoni:

It's usually made from beef and pork trimmings. No, we cannot tell you what part of the animal they came from.
It is heavily seasoned with chili, cayenne, paprika, salt and possibly other seasonings. nine0006
It is dried and cured (read: raw), often using nitrates and nitrites as preservatives.

We guess the last one caught your attention!

When can you eat pepperoni during pregnancy

When can you eat raw meat during pregnancy?

And since the pizza is usually baked in a very hot pizza oven (or reheated in the microwave if it was pre-frozen), toppings are added, the pepperoni on your pie is just perfect. (We'll look the other way if you have a particular affinity for the kind that rolls up into little butter-filled meat cups after baking.)

But as we'll get to in more detail a little later, pepperoni isn't the healthiest food on the planet, and the pizza it's sitting on isn't exactly a lettuce leaf. So eating boiled pepperoni is probably a good plan.

When Not to Eat Pepperoni While Pregnant

Unlike this hot pizza pie, there are a few issues with eating cold pepperoni slices when you're pregnant.

As a cured deli meat, pepperoni is not technically cooked. Raw meat may contain bacteria and parasites such as Listeria and Toxoplasma, respectively. nine0003

When a woman who is not pregnant eats foods contaminated with these toxins, she usually does not suffer. But a pregnant woman has a weakened immune system and is more likely to get food poisoning, such as listeriosis or toxoplasmosis. This can be dangerous for you and your child.

Another thing to consider is nitrates and nitrites, which are often used to preserve pepperoni. While it is not known whether this is really problematic, many pregnant women prefer to avoid them. nine0003

If you don't care about preservatives and really want to eat a few slices, you can warm them up in the microwave, put them in a casserole, or fry them with scrambled eggs. But it's best to avoid packaged pepperoni or sliced at the deli counter.

Risks of eating raw pepperoni during pregnancy

As mentioned, raw meat can contain bacteria and parasites that can lead to infections, and these infections can rarely harm your developing baby. nine0003

If you think you have eaten unsafe meat, or if you notice any of the following symptoms, especially in the first trimester, seek immediate medical attention:

fever above 100. 4°F (38°C)
nausea or vomiting
diarrhea
muscle pain
swollen tonsils

Although rare (with an estimated 300 to 4,000 cases per year), toxoplasmosis, which affects your child, can cause developmental delay, hearing loss, or vision problems. nine0003

If you have listeriosis, especially in the first trimester, your risk of miscarriage increases. In the third trimester, you may have a premature birth or a low birth weight baby. If your baby gets an infection late in pregnancy, there is an increased risk of health problems such as developmental delays, seizures, and other disorders.

Pepperoni Nutritional Value During Pregnancy

As you might have guessed, pepperoni - while safe to eat on pizza or otherwise cooked - is not the healthiest snack food. One ounce serving of one popular brand of this sliced meat contains:

140 calories
5 grams protein
13 grams fat (17 percent DV)
5 grams saturated fat (25 percent DV)
500 mg sodium (22% DV) 906

While protein is important during pregnancy (as is fat!), we're going to tell you straight out: lean proteins and healthy fats are the best choices during pregnancy and throughout life. But, as they say: everything in moderation. nine0003

Conclusion

Like other dried salami varieties, pepperoni is a raw product. Whether it's from a deli counter or a bag, you should avoid eating it cold because it can contain bacteria that could harm your developing baby.

However, boiled pepperoni will do. So when this triple meat lover gets pizza cravings, you can feel safe—just remember that this probably shouldn't be an everyday thing, and that a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fat will help you. serve you well during these 9months.

Is it possible to eat pepperoni pizza during pregnancy?

June 26, 2019 by Eat Pregnant

We are slowly moving up the list of foods that are allowed or not recommended during pregnancy. It's easy to get lost in what you can and can't eat during pregnancy. None of us wants to cause a child health problems. So can we eat pepperoni pizza when we are pregnant? We will firstly focus on whether you can eat pepperoni pizza while pregnant and secondly on 9 food safety tips0115 pizza .

Can I eat pepperoni pizza while pregnant?

It will happen to us any time we want a delicious crispy pizza! However, in all our questions during pregnancy, pizza is part of it. Is it safe to eat pepperoni pizza while pregnant without any problems for the baby? The answer is YES, BUT you need to watch out for two or three things before you eat it. It is important to be able to enjoy your pregnancy without risk. Pizza with properly cooked food is not a problem for a toddler. However, everything must be cooked without adding risky ingredients after cooking. In Part 2, we explain the ingredients at risk in order to correctly identify them. nine0003

What are the suggestions if you want to eat pepperoni pizza while pregnant?

It's important to be aware of the issues with pizza ingredients. Every well-prepared pizza with well-prepared ingredients will not be risky for the little one. Therefore, you have the opportunity to eat pepperoni pizza during pregnancy when it is well cooked. It seems to be recommended to eat pizza at the end of the oven, rather than a few hours spent outdoors.

Eat pepperoni pizza during pregnancy containing vegetables or fruit

Almost anything that may come into contact with the ground will be at risk of toxoplasmosis. It is a parasite that grows in the soil. The vast majority of fruits and vegetables should be washed well before consumption. Vegetables can be put right after cooking (arugula, lettuce, ...), but washed thoroughly.

Eat pepperoni pizza during pregnancy with cheese or cream

All creams used for the base should preferably be pasteurized milk. The vast majority of high-risk cheeses are those made from raw milk, soft milk, or undercooked cheese (Roquefort, Gorgonzola). nine0115 listeriosis (disease caused by bacteria). The advantage of baking pizza on high heat will allow you to kill this bacterium. The only condition for eating pepperoni pizza while pregnant cheese is that the pizza must be cooked at a high temperature. No problem with other cheeses like cheddar or conte, you can eat them cooked or undercooked. Mozzarella is made from pasteurized milk, so there is no risk.

If you want to know which cheese is susceptible to listeriosis, use our search engine for women during pregnancy.

Eating pepperoni pizza when pregnant with deli meats

It seems highly inappropriate to eat pizza for which you are not sure how to prepare deli meats (ham, cheese, Parma ham, bacon, etc.). If it is possible to check that the sausage was put in at the beginning of the pizza baking process, in this case the Listeria bacteria and toxoplasmosis have been killed. So yes, you can eat pepperoni pizza while pregnant or with cold cuts as long as everything is well cooked.