Can I eat clam chowder while pregnant? – Clam chowder is a favorite of many and a common meal in many households. It’s also nice to eat this delectable meal out at a restaurant. But can you eat clam chowder while pregnant? Will it make you sick, and worse, will it harm your unborn child? Let’s examine this delectable dish and find out if you can eat clam chowder while pregnant.
Everyone enjoys clam chowder, which is a creamy, rich, and thick soup depending on personal preference. This beloved dish, which is a favorite of many families, especially those who live near the coast, is prepared with clams, potatoes, milk or cream, and so much more. Many women who are pregnant miss out on the delectable flavor of clam chowder because they believe they cannot eat it.
Many people claim to crave clam chowder during pregnancy. Delicious clams and the creamy soup can hit the spot. Clam Chowder is a great source of protein. You might be craving protein if you find yourself yearning for your favorite clam chowder recipe. You might want to look for other high-protein food sources if you can’t eat clam chowder.
Let’s examine the components of a typical bowl of clam chowder. So you can enjoy clam chowder knowing exactly what you are eating. The ingredients include or may include:
Can Pregnant Women Eat Cooked Clams?
Clams can be consumed while pregnant as long as they are cooked.
No matter if you are pregnant or not, eating raw clams carries some risk because they can contain bacteria and other pathogens like the saltwater-found bacteria Vibrio vulnificus.
Clams with this bacteria do not differ in appearance, flavor, or odor from those without it. Since most bacteria are killed during cooking, thoroughly cooking seafood makes it much safer.
According to the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, or ISSC, there are a number of variations when it comes to the term “cooked.”
| Clam Cooking Method | Time/Temperature |
| Boiled this includes soup or chowder | At least 3 minutes |
| Fried | At least 3 minutes at 375f |
| Broiled/ Grilled | Thre inches from the heat for 3 minutes |
| Baked in the over | Ten minutes at 450f |
| Steamed | 5-10 minutes when the water is already steaming. The time does depend on the size of the clam. |
Clam chowder is typically served as a stew or soup and includes clams, salt pork, onions, vegetables, and a variety of sauces.
Typically, clam juice is used to make a clear broth-based sauce. Others use milk to make it thicker and creamier.
Clam chowder has grown in popularity across the nation and is thought to have been invented in the early 18th century.
Precautions to Take While Eating Clam Chowder During Pregnancy
The best options are grilled flounder filets or clam soup. Take the following precautions:
Raw or undercooked fish and shellfish are more prone to parasites and microbial contamination. They may spread listeriosis, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella when consumed. Pregnancy weakens the immune system, making it less able to protect against infections caused by food. Your infant’s immune system is not fully developed. Raw or undercooked fish may cause birth defects or miscarriages.
Most fish contain levels of mercury that are high enough to harm your baby’s developing neurological system. The FDA advises against eating these items.
In comparison to albacore (white) tuna, the FDA offers canned light tuna for less mercury. However, you should only consume six ounces of canned tuna per week. Because mercury accumulates in the blood over time, pregnant women should exercise caution. Women who are pregnant and believe they may have been exposed to mercury should consult a doctor right away.
Most shellfish contain the naturally occurring element mercury. On the other hand, eating a variety of fish and shellfish may help to reduce your intake of mercury. It is considered safe for pregnant women to eat up to 12 ounces of fish every week. Keep in mind that 3-6 ounces of fish constitute a typical serving size.
When prepared correctly, seafood is safe to eat during pregnancy. As a result, use caution in making your selections. Uncooked or raw fish might be hazardous to your health. Cooking destroys the majority of parasites and bacteria. Thus, maintain a hot supper. To guarantee correct cooking, use a food thermometer. Return lukewarm restaurant meals. Whether you are cooking at home, eating out, or having food delivered, stay away from raw fish and meat when preparing your meal. This reduces the likelihood that parasites or pathogens will be present in your food.
Food handling, preparation, and storage have an equal impact on food safety. The following tips can help increase the longevity and safety of your seafood:
Tips for Eating Seafood During Pregnancy
Salmonella, Toxoplasmosis, and Listeriosis infections are a few examples of food-borne illnesses that can be contracted from raw or undercooked seafood. As a result, stay away from raw seafood like sushi, sashimi, ceviche, and raw oysters, scallops, or clams. Additionally, stay away from seafood that is labelled as “nova style,” “lox,” “kippered,” “smoked,” or “jerky,” as these are all uncooked.
Only when used as a component in cooked dishes is smoked seafood safe to consume. Cook fish to an internal temperature of 145oF or 63oC. Fish is considered to be cooked when it flakes and becomes uniformly opaque.
Boil shellfish for 3 to 5 minutes after the shells have opened. Discard any that do not open during cooking. Cooking too many shellfish at once could result in undercooked shellfish in the middle.
FAQ
Is clam safe to eat during pregnancy?
Avoid raw fish and shellfish to prevent the spread of dangerous bacteria or viruses in seafood. Avoid foods like sushi, sashimi, ceviche, raw oysters, scallops, and clams as they are raw or undercooked. Avoid refrigerated, uncooked seafood.
Can I eat seafood soup while pregnant?
While there are numerous ways for pregnant women to obtain omega-3 fatty acids, the majority of experts advise eating seafood for this purpose. Despite the fact that mercury can harm a baby’s developing brain, studies have shown that consuming typical amounts of low-mercury seafood while pregnant haven’t led to any issues.
Can you eat clams when pregnant NHS?
Seafood and shellfish that has been cooked, such as mussels, lobster, crab, oysters, scallops, clams, and cold, pre-cooked prawns, are safe to consume. Unless you are allergic, eating nuts while pregnant has no impact on whether or not your unborn child develops a peanut allergy.
