Can Pregnant Women Eat Clam Chowder

Looking forward to eating clam chowder every second week of the month is one of the unique traditions we have as a family. We love seafood, and the refreshing taste of clams has made us excited every time we plan to make one for dinner.

But, when I got pregnant, I heard stories of how seafood must be avoided to prevent complications. Can pregnant women eat clam chowder? I wanted to know if it is safe for me before I indulge in them.

I have listed here some helpful information I found out about clam chowder and what it will do during pregnancy.

A clam is a type of shelled sea creature with its shells attached by a muscular hinge. It burrows its body into the sand using its foot and has a double-tubed siphon that draws water to extract oxygen in their body and filter food while also expelling water and waste from their digestive tracts.

Clams are harvested along the coasts of the Pacific, Gulf, and Atlantic. These shells are cooked into varieties of dishes. What we eat is the siphon of the clams, the foot and the muscles that closes and opens its shell. Its meat is the color of creamy white and can be sweet and chewy when eaten.

Clam chowder is a cooked soup made of clams or fishes and mixed with milk, onion, tomatoes, salt pork, carrots, potatoes and other vegetables. It was originated in the Eastern part of the United States and is commonly served in many restaurants all over the country.

There are varieties of clam chowder, often depending on the region it is served. For instance, the Manhattan version of clam chowder is tomato-based and has red broth instead of milk. In New Jersey, they add paprika, bacon, light cream, asparagus, and parsley and celery powder.

In New England, milk or cream is the base in the chowder, and it is thicker than the traditional thin soup chowder. In Seattle, smoked salmon is added in place of smoked pork. For people in San Francisco, clam chowders are best served in a sourdough bread bowl.

Tips for Cooking Unshucked Clams to Make Them Pregnancy-Safe:

  • When cooking live clams, gently tap the clam – if it’s still alive and healthy, it should close. Discard any that don’t close.
  • Scrub or clean the clam under running water to remove sand or debris.
  • Depending on where you got the clams, you might need to soak them so they discharge any grit. To do this, soak in 1/3 cup of salt per gallon of water. Leave for 25 minutes and repeat 2-3 times. Rinse.
  • Cook the clam according to the timings above.
  • After cooking, you’re now looking for clams that don’t open. Discard any clams that didn’t open during the cooking process.
  • Can Pregnant Women Eat Cooked Clams Safely?

    Clams are made safe in pregnancy by cooking them. Raw clams are risky to eat, whether you’re pregnant or not. This is because raw clams can harbor bacteria and pathogens like Vibrio vulnificus, which is a type of bacteria found in saltwater.

    Vibrio vulnificus can be present in almost all seawater, even waters that have been ‘approved’ for harvesting shellfish like clams (source: CDC). Its presence is unrelated to pollution. Affected clams (and oysters) don’t look, taste or smell any different to ones without the bacteria.

    Any raw seafood can also contain other pathogens, not just vibrio vulnificus (source: NHS). Pregnant women should avoid all raw shellfish for this reason.

    Fortunately, most bacteria are killed by cooking, which is why clams are much safer when they’re cooked. What ‘cooked’ means varies depending on the method.

    Here are some guidelines on what ‘fully cooked’ means, according to the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference:

    Clam Cooking Method Time / Temperature
    Boiled (including in soup or chowder) At least 3 minutes
    Fried At least 3 minutes at 190c/375f
    Broiled / Grilled Three inches from the heat for 3 minutes
    Baked (oven) Ten minutes at 230c / 450f
    Steamed (also called ‘Steamers’) 5-10 minutes when the water is already steaming, depending on the size of the clam (see tips below)

    If you’re not sure what temperatures your food is reaching, you might want to invest in a good culinary thermometer. They’re super useful when you’re pregnant (and beyond) – you can see my recommended ones here.

    Can Pregnant Women Eat Clam Chowder?

    Pregnant women may safely eat clams by cooking clam chowder while pregnant. Eating raw clams is never a good idea, especially if you wonder, “is clam chowder safe during pregnancy?”

  • Vibrio vulnificus, an ocean-dwelling bacterium that may cause food poisoning in humans and other animals, is a bacteria present in raw clams.
  • As far as appearance, taste, and smell go, bacterially infected clams (and oysters) are no different from their uninfected counterparts.
  • Pregnant women should avoid eating any raw shellfish because of the risk of food poisoning.
  • Heating destroys the bulk of germs, which is in their favor. As previously said, cooked clams are far safer than raw ones. Depending on the method used, it changes what it means to be ‘cooked.’
  • FAQ

    Is seafood chowder safe during pregnancy?

    It’s a great source of protein, vitamins A and D, and essential omega-3 fatty acids. It’s great for baby’s brain and eye development. It might even help combat depression during pregnancy and postpartum. So go ahead and enjoy that clam chowder or seared flounder filet.

    Can I eat clams during pregnancy?

    It’s a great source of protein, vitamins A and D, and essential omega-3 fatty acids. It’s great for baby’s brain and eye development. It might even help combat depression during pregnancy and postpartum. So go ahead and enjoy that clam chowder or seared flounder filet.

    Is clam soup good for pregnancy?

    It’s a great source of protein, vitamins A and D, and essential omega-3 fatty acids. It’s great for baby’s brain and eye development. It might even help combat depression during pregnancy and postpartum. So go ahead and enjoy that clam chowder or seared flounder filet.

    Is clam chowder safe to eat?

    It’s a great source of protein, vitamins A and D, and essential omega-3 fatty acids. It’s great for baby’s brain and eye development. It might even help combat depression during pregnancy and postpartum. So go ahead and enjoy that clam chowder or seared flounder filet.

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