In some ways, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to be pregnant. Think about it: Nobody's gonna give you the side-eye when you go back for a third helping of mashed potatoes, and maternity clothes mean not having to worry about popping your top button on your jeans after dessert. But in other ways, everybody's favorite feast can be a challenge for moms-to-be.
Pregnant women are more susceptible to food poisoning than most people, and the risks can be much more severe, so there are some Thanksgiving food you'll want to avoid during pregnancy. So not everything on the holiday buffet table is safe to eat when you're expecting; in fact, you might be surprised to hear which classic dishes are off-limits.
Of course, there are still plenty of perfectly harmless treats to indulge in this year (and pumpkin pie is one of them, phew!). As for the others, here are 15 traditional items you're better off avoiding until next time.
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Stuffing Cooked in the Turkey
Many of us grew up with our moms cooking the stuffing, well, stuffed inside the turkey. That was before the frightening truth about this popular preparation method became common knowledge: While cooking, juices containing salmonella can seep into the stuffing from the turkey. To kill the bacteria, the stuffing would have to be cooked to a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which means overcooking the turkey.
You don't have to give up stuffing altogether, thankfully — just make sure it's prepared separately from the bird.
Soft Cheeses
Before you park yourself by the fruit and cheese platter, make sure you're not spreading anything potentially dangerous onto your cracker. Soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, feta, Mexican queso fresco, and blue-veined cheeses are often unpasteurized, which means they can harbor listeria (a particularly dangerous bacteria for pregnant women that can lead to miscarriage or pre-term labor).
Hollandaise
Mmm, who doesn't love hollandaise sauce over asparagus (or pretty much anything else)? Tragically, because the egg yolks in hollandaise aren't fully cooked, this brunch staple is another potential source of salmonella.
Sheesh.
Smoked Salmon
As enticing as a smoked salmon appetizer might be (especially when you feel like you might pass out from hunger waiting for the turkey to be ready), smoked salmon — and other fish — can harbor the dreaded listeria. (One way to have your lox and eat it too: Pop it in the microwave until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 F.)
Cider
Nothing says seasonal like orchard-fresh apple cider. Sadly, this festive fall beverage is oftentimes unpasteurized, and has been linked in recent years to outbreaks of E. coli (yikes!). If you're really craving the drink, make sure that the label says "pasteurized" to be safe.
Pâté
Another danger lurking on the appetizer table, pâté can contain high levels of listeria (even the vegetarian versions). Most often listeria only causes mild symptoms, which can be uncomfortable, but it can be especially dangerous to an unborn baby, so it's best to be err on the side of caution.
Unwashed, Raw Vegetables
You might think you're making a healthy choice by filling up on crudités, but you'll want to make sure those carrot sticks and broccoli florets are thoroughly washed: Raw vegetables can be contaminated with the dangerous parasite toxoplasma.
The FDA suggests cleaning the raw vegetables with a soft vegetable brush before eating.
Uncooked Batter or Dough
Tempting as it is to lick the beaters when you're whipping up a Bundt cake or a batch of brownies, uncooked batter and dough contains raw eggs, which — you guessed it! — equal the possibility of salmonella. Sorry! It's not safe for anyone to really eat uncooked egg, but it can be extra dangerous for a pregnant person and their babe.
Alcohol
If getting through a big family gathering without a few drinks seems unthinkable, you're not alone. But while some obstetricians say the occasional glass of wine won't hurt your baby, the studies about drinking during pregnancy are still scary enough to make many moms-to-be take the "better safe than sorry" route when it comes to alcohol. Sparkling (pasteurized) cider, anyone?
Leftovers (Yes, Seriously!)
Everybody loves turkey sandwiches the day (week?) after Thanksgiving! How do we know? Because every year, over 400,000 people get food poisoning from Thanksgiving leftovers (in many cases, because the food was left out at room temperature for over two hours and/or improperly stored in the refrigerator). Kinda makes you want to call out for pizza!
Raw Seafood & Shellfish
Some families go all out for Thanksgiving and that means appetizers before the big meal. It’s important for pregnant people to make sure they steer clear of any raw seafoods or raw shellfish bites that may be offered. While these are generally safe to eat when not pregnant, experts suggest avoiding them during pregnancy out of concern for food poisoning, which can be devastating while pregnant.
Deli Meats
According to the American Pregnancy Association, deli meats aren’t as big of a concern now as they were in the past. With more procedures and safety checks in place to reduce the risk of contracting something like listeria from deli meats, it can still be risky. If there are appetizer plates of deli meat at the family Thanksgiving, it may be best to avoid — not only for the risk of listeria, but having meat sit out too long before eaten can be hard on the immune system, too.
Undercooked Turkey
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving, in a traditional meal, is the turkey. It’s the big centerpiece of the gathering and it’s so enjoyable to eat large amounts of it. But for anyone who is pregnant, it’s especially important to make sure any meat that’s being eaten is fully cooked. This means it's time to take out the meat thermometer and make sure it’s at least past 165 degrees.
Giblet Gravy
Some people look forward to the gravy at the Thanksgiving table, but anyone who is pregnant should be slightly more cautious. We’re not saying every gravy isn’t good to eat, but in some cases it may be. Not only is store-bought gravy often very high in sodium, which may not be good for a pregnant person, but giblet gravy — which is made from the heart, throat, and liver of the turkey — can be a risk, too.
Custard Pie
It’s so hard to resist pie and for some people that’s the best part of Thanksgiving dinner. For pregnant people though, not all pies are equal and it's best to be cautious when it comes to custard pies. The reason ties back to the uncooked, raw eggs again. It’s a bummer, but it won’t be forever.
When in Doubt, Go Without
This might sound like a lot of stuff to avoid eating at Thanksgiving during pregnancy, but don't worry! Most of these are totally doable or can be avoided with some quick and easy substitutions. But if it's not clear how something was prepared and it's on this list, it might be best to go without. Of course, a chat with a medical care provider is a good plan, too.
And, hey, look at the bright side: At least there's always the pie!
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
