Beef jerky may 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 beef jerky during pregnancy?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Here’s why pregnant women should avoid beef jerky and what to eat instead.
What is Beef Jerky?
Beef jerky is meat that has been sliced or ground then salted and dried. This drying process reduces the meat’s moisture content, which helps preserve it.
Commercial beef jerky is dried at low temperatures over many hours or days. It is essentially uncooked meat, even though the drying process kills some bacteria.
Jerky can be made from various meats like beef, turkey, venison or buffalo. It’s a popular snack due to its portability, long shelf life, and intense flavor.
Risks of Eating Beef Jerky During Pregnancy
There are two main risks associated with eating beef jerky during pregnancy:
1. Foodborne Illness
Beef jerky may contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. These bacteria can cause foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning.
Listeria monocytogenes is especially dangerous during pregnancy. It can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, potentially leading to:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Preterm labor
Pregnant women are up to 20 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. Your weakened immune system makes it harder to fight off infections.
So even if beef jerky is properly dried and stored, it could still harbor Listeria or other dangerous bacteria. Consuming it puts you and your baby at risk.
2. High Sodium Content
Beef jerky is very high in sodium, with a 1-ounce serving providing around 600 mg of sodium – 25% of the daily recommended intake!
Eating too much sodium during pregnancy can cause:
- Water retention
- Swelling
- High blood pressure
High blood pressure increases your risk of complications like preeclampsia, placental abruption, preterm birth and low birth weight.
So regular beef jerky consumption is not recommended, especially if you already have high blood pressure.
Healthy Beef Jerky Alternatives
If you have serious beef jerky cravings during pregnancy, there are some safer alternatives:
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Cooked Beef or Steak: Grilled, broiled or pan-fried beef provides the savory flavor without the risks. Use lots of spices and black pepper to give it that jerky taste.
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Turkey or Chicken Jerky: As long as it’s from a reputable brand, poultry jerky may be safer than beef jerky during pregnancy. Choose low-sodium options.
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Vegetarian “Jerky”: There are many plant-based jerkies made from ingredients like mushrooms, eggplant or jackfruit. Watch the sodium content.
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Microwave Beef Jerky: Microwaving beef jerky may kill some bacteria, but there’s no guarantee it kills everything. Use caution with this method.
In moderation, these alternatives can satisfy your beef jerky craving in a safer way. But for optimal health, focus on a balanced diet with lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.
Other Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Unfortunately beef jerky isn’t the only risky food during pregnancy. Here are some other foods pregnant women should avoid:
- Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, fish and eggs
- Deli meats, hot dogs and lunch meats (unless reheated to 165°F)
- Unpasteurized milk and dairy products
- Soft cheeses like feta, brie and blue cheese
- Raw cookie dough or cake batter
- Raw sprouts like alfalfa
- Unpasteurized juices
- Raw fish and shellfish like sushi, oysters and clams
- Certain high mercury fish like swordfish, shark, tilefish and king mackerel
Always cook meats thoroughly to recommended safe internal temperatures. And steer clear of raw or unpasteurized foods that could harbor dangerous bacteria.
When in doubt, check with your doctor about which foods are safe or should be avoided during your pregnancy.
Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy Diet
Here are some general tips for eating well during pregnancy:
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Choose lean proteins like skinless poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds.
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Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These provide vitamins, minerals and fiber.
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Include low-fat or non-fat dairy products for calcium.
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Drink lots of water and limit caffeine and sugary drinks.
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Take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, iron and other important nutrients.
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Avoid processed junk foods and empty calories.
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Indulge cravings in moderation with healthier alternatives when possible.
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Check with your doctor about supplements like fish oil or probiotics.
With some modifications, you can enjoy a delicious, wholesome diet during pregnancy. Just be mindful of foods that could cause harm.
Can You Eat Beef Jerky After Pregnancy?
The risks of eating beef jerky are mainly pregnancy-related. Listeria and high blood pressure affect pregnant women more severely.
So after giving birth, it’s fine to occasionally enjoy beef jerky in moderation. Nursing mothers may also want to minimize risks by choosing properly handled brands.
For optimal postpartum health, focus on nutritious whole foods over processed snacks like jerky. But the occasional piece likely won’t cause harm after pregnancy.
Key Takeaways
Beef jerky may seem like an ideal snack during pregnancy, but it poses health risks including foodborne illness and excessive sodium. The drying process doesn’t guarantee it’s bacteria-free.
To satisfy cravings, opt for cooked beef or jerky alternatives made from chicken, turkey or plants. And avoid other raw or unpasteurized foods that could contain pathogens.
With some adjustments, you can still enjoy delicious, nutritious meals during pregnancy. Just steer clear of potentially unsafe foods like beef jerky for a healthy pregnancy diet.
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!
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FAQ
What if I ate beef jerky while pregnant?
… has high levels of sodium which can put you at risk for gestational hypertension (high blood pressure) and preeclampsia (swelling of the face, feet, or hands)Mar 13, 2023
Is beef jerky cooked or raw?
Beef Jerky is not raw, it’s actually dried (dehydrated). Here’s a few ways to prepare it. Packaged beef jerky has been cooked in one of a few methods: Dehydration: Low heat and airflow is applied for 8-12 hours (depending on many factors) until the water is removed from the beef.
What happens if you accidentally eat raw meat when pregnant?
If the meat/seafood is infected with certain bacteria or parasites and a person who is pregnant becomes ill from eating it, there might be an increased chance of pregnancy loss. High fever can also increase risks to the baby.
Is it safe to eat Slim Jims while pregnant?
No you shouldn’t be worried. The risk of contracting listeria is substantially higher in fresh fruits and veggies. Take a deep breath and enjoy your slim jim’s.
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.
What happens if you eat jerky during 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. High blood pressure during pregnancy increases risk for preterm labor, as well as preeclampsia.
Can jerky cause a miscarriage?
While that is quite rare, if it does pass to the baby it can cause birth defects in your unborn baby. In the first trimester it can cause a miscarriage. Jerky may give you a parasite like toxoplasma gondii from uncooked meats (which will give you toxoplasmosis). There are likely other foodborne illnesses you could get from it as well.
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.
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.
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.