Beef jerky can seem like the perfect snack when you’re pregnant. It’s portable, protein-packed, and satisfies salt cravings. But is it actually safe to eat during pregnancy? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Beef Jerky?
Beef jerky is thin strips of beef that have been seasoned and dried but not cooked. This drying process helps preserve the meat and gives jerky its chewy salty flavor. Jerky can be made from other meats like turkey and buffalo as well.
The drying and smoking process kills some bacteria but not all. So beef jerky should not be considered a fully cooked meat.
Potential Risks of Eating Beef Jerky During Pregnancy
There are two main risks associated with eating beef jerky during pregnancy:
1. Foodborne Illness
Pregnant women need to avoid consuming raw or undercooked meats to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses like salmonella, listeria, and toxoplasmosis.
These illnesses are caused by bacteria that can be present in uncooked meat. In healthy adults foodborne illness may just cause digestive upset. But during pregnancy, it poses risks to both mother and baby.
Foodborne illness can increase risk of:
- Dehydration and hospitalization of the mother
- Preterm delivery
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Birth defects
So while the drying process of making jerky reduces bacteria, it does not eliminate the risk fully. There is still a chance of contamination and foodborne illness.
2. Nitrites
Many beef jerky products contain nitrites to help preserve color and add flavor. Nitrites can form nitrosamines in the body, which are associated with an increased cancer risk.
There is not yet conclusive evidence on how nitrites may impact a developing baby. But many health organizations recommend pregnant women limit nitrite intake as a precaution.
So nitrites commonly added to jerky are another reason for caution. Checking for nitrite-free options can help reduce the concern.
Benefits of Beef Jerky During Pregnancy
There are a few potential benefits beef jerky can offer during pregnancy:
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Protein – Jerky is high in protein, providing 10-15 grams per ounce. Protein is vital for baby’s growth and development.
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Iron – Jerky provides small amounts of iron, which is important for healthy blood and preventing anemia.
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Portability – Jerky requires no refrigeration, so it’s an easy protein snack to pack while out and about.
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Cravings – Jerky can help satisfy cravings for salt, meat, or savory flavors that are common during pregnancy.
However, these benefits could likely be achieved through other protein snacks that may be safer.
Alternatives to Beef Jerky
If you are craving the protein and flavor of jerky, consider these safer alternatives:
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Cooked beef, pork, chicken – Bake, grill, or pan-fry lean cuts of meat.
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Deli meat – Heat deli meats like turkey and roast beef to steaming to reduce bacteria risk.
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Peanut butter – Look for all-natural options without added salt or sugar.
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Nuts and seeds – Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds are all healthy, portable options.
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Greek yogurt – High in protein, calcium, and probiotics. Choose plain, unsweetened varieties.
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Protein bars – Look for options with at least 10g protein and low in sugar.
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Bean dips – Hummus, edamame dip, and black bean dip provide plant-based protein.
Is Homemade Beef Jerky Safe During Pregnancy?
You may wonder if making your own beef jerky is safer than store-bought. Unfortunately, homemade jerky poses the same risks.
Even when thoroughly drying meat, bacteria can still survive without proper cooking. And homemade jerky recipes also often call for curing ingredients like nitrites.
So while homemade allows you to control the ingredients, the uncooked meat still makes jerky risky during pregnancy. Thoroughly cooking meat before dehydrating would reduce risks, but alters the usual texture and flavor.
Tips for Safe Eating During Pregnancy
While jerky may be tempting, it’s best avoided. Here are some other tips for safe eating during pregnancy:
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Cook meats to recommended internal temperatures. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness.
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Avoid unpasteurized dairy products. Stick to pasteurized milk, cheese, and yogurt.
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Do not eat raw cookie dough or cake batter. Eggs must be fully cooked.
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Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
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Reheat deli meats, hot dogs, and leftover foods until steaming hot.
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Avoid raw or undercooked eggs, meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish.
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Check with your doctor before eating spicy foods. They can trigger heartburn in some women.
The Bottom Line
While the risks are not guaranteed, most experts recommend avoiding beef jerky during pregnancy. The concerns about foodborne illness make jerky a risky choice compared to other protein-rich snacks.
However, if you are craving jerky, talk to your doctor about your diet and risk factors. They can best advise if small amounts may be safe for your individual pregnancy. With precautions like reheating to reduce bacteria, some women may be able to occasionally satisfy jerky cravings.
In the end, it comes down to your comfort level with the small but present risks. You know your body best. Focus on an overall balanced diet, and discuss any questionable foods with your healthcare provider.
Foodborne illness and toxoplasma
Although anyone can get sick with foodborne illness (aka food poisoning), your chances are higher because pregnancy can wreak havoc on the immune system. And as a result, your body may have difficulty fighting off bacteria that can make you sick.
This includes bacteria that causes illnesses like toxoplasma. Not only can you get sick, but your baby may be affected, too.
You’re probably thinking: Beef jerky isn’t raw, so what’s the big deal?
While it’s true that jerky isn’t raw, it’s also not cooked in the traditional sense.
Cooking meat at a high temperature helps kill bacteria that can make you sick. Jerky is dried meat, and the reality is, drying meat might not kill all bacteria. When you buy jerky at the store, you can’t be sure of the temperature it was dried at.
So each time you take a bite of jerky, you’re essentially gambling with your health.
Toxoplasmosis is a common infection, and in healthy people, it doesn’t usually cause serious problems. Some people don’t even realize they have the infection, especially since it can clear up on its own.
But since this illness can lead to birth defects, it’s important that you do what you can to avoid toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. This includes washing fruit and vegetables before eating, washing your hands after handling undercooked meat, and yes, avoiding beef jerky.
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Eating beef jerky during pregnancy isn’t a definitive yes or no; it depends on a couple things, the first being the type of jerky.
Some jerkies are fully dried and sold as shelf-stable, while other varieties might be sold in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Those that are sold in the deli section are an easy no, because even though the meats are cooked and/or cured, the risk of bad bacteria growing on them is increased, as they are more likely to fall into what we call the ‘temperature danger zone’. This is basically a temperature range where bacteria are more likely to thrive.
The shelf-stable jerky is possibly safe to consume in moderation, but because there is some variability around the temperature it is dried/cooked at (depending on the brand), there is a potential risk of foodborne illness with this variety as well.
Jerky also tends to be very high in sodium and often contains nitrates/nitrites, which aren’t the greatest for your overall health anyway. The last thing you need to worry about managing while preparing for a baby is high blood pressure!
Can Pregnant Women Eat Beef Jerky? – Exploring Campgrounds
FAQ
Is it safe to eat beef jerky while pregnant?
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Healthlinehttps://www.healthline.comIs It Safe to Eat Beef Jerky If Pregnant? Plus, What to Eat & Avoid
Can you eat dry cured meat when pregnant?
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Thorough cooking is key:If you choose to eat dry-cured meats during pregnancy, ensure they are cooked until steaming hot, removing any trace of pink or blood.
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Avoid raw or undercooked:Raw or undercooked meat can be a source of various foodborne illnesses, including listeria, which can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy.
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Toxoplasmosis risk:Some cured meats may carry the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, which can be harmful to the developing fetus.
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Freezing as a precaution:Nottinghamshire County Council suggests that freezing cured meats for at least four days can help to kill off parasites, making them safer to eat.
Is it safe to eat Slim Jims while pregnant?
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Sodium Content:Slim Jims are high in sodium, which can contribute to increased blood pressure and swelling during pregnancy.
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These additives, often used as preservatives in processed meats, have been linked to potential negative effects on fetal development and may be associated with increased risks of premature birth, according to People’s Choice Beef Jerky.
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Foodborne Illness:As with other deli meats, there’s a greater risk of foodborne illness when consuming Slim Jims, especially if they haven’t been stored or prepared properly, according to Healthline.
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Processed Food:Slim Jims are heavily processed, which means they may contain additives and preservatives that are not ideal for a healthy pregnancy, according to Expectful.
Is beef jerky cooked or raw?
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People’s Choice Beef Jerkyhttps://peopleschoicebeefjerky.comIs Beef Jerky Cooked? Everything You Need to KnowAug 30, 2023 — Jerky is a fully cooked product and is never raw. During the dehydration process, most of the moisture is taken out of the jerky which allows it to …
Can pregnant women eat beef jerky?
The risk of a foodborne illness isn’t the only reason to avoid beef jerky in pregnancy. While a bite of jerky can curb a craving, it’s also high in salt. Depending on how much you consume, your blood pressure could spike, which isn’t healthy for you or your baby. Too much salt can also increase discomfort due to swelling.
Does jerky affect pregnancy?
And even though that may affect everyone, pregnant people’s chances are higher due to pregnancy causing damage to their immunity system. Therefore, jerky can cause, for example, toxoplasmosis to them more likely, and that may affect their babies as well. Besides this BIG risk, there’s also the enormous amount of salt jerky contains.
What happens if you eat beef jerky?
To be fair, probably nothing if you take just a little bite or two. That doesn’t make it safe, though – eating a big portion of beef jerky will nearly surely result in you feeling sick and can have even serious consequences.
Is beef jerky safe?
A study conducted for Georgia University also found that beef jerky that relies solely on smoking and drying to kill bacteria “may not be as safe as previously thought” (source: Semantic Scholar). The upshot of this is that jerky is complicated to make and requires several precise steps to ensure its safety because it’s not cooked.
Can I eat steak If I’m Pregnant?
You can also get ‘wet aged’ meat that is aged in vacuum-sealed bags. If you’re pregnant, you should follow this guidance on eating steak when you’re pregnant as it doesn’t matter whether the beef is dry-aged or not – what matters is how much it’s cooked when you come to eat it.
Can you eat chipped beef during pregnancy?
Therefore you can eat chipped beef during pregnancy if it’s fully heated and cooked. It shouldn’t be eaten cold, ‘as is’, without cooking. If you’re able to measure the temperature (and the best way is with a food thermometer), then the temperature should reach 165F / 74C to make it safe.