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🍝 Prepared Foods - Pregnancy Food Safety
🍝 Prepared Foods - Pregnancy Safety
65 prepared foods items checked for pregnancy safety
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Food Safety
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Prepared Foods
beef tartare
Raw ground beef carries risk of E. coli, Salmonella, and Toxoplasma; dangerous during pregnancy as these infections can cause miscarriage or birth defects.
🚫 Avoid
carpaccio
Thinly sliced raw beef or fish; carries risk of Toxoplasma, E. coli, and parasites. Not safe during pregnancy.
🚫 Avoid
ceviche
Made with raw fish 'cooked' in citrus juice; the acid does not kill all parasites and bacteria. The CDC specifically warns pregnant women against ceviche.
🚫 Avoid
hijiki seaweed
Contains dangerously high levels of inorganic arsenic; multiple government agencies (UK FSA, CFIA) advise against eating hijiki, especially during pregnancy.
🚫 Avoid
lox bagel
Cold-smoked salmon (lox) carries Listeria risk; avoid during pregnancy. Swap for hot-smoked salmon or cooked fish.
🚫 Avoid
poke bowl
Contains raw fish (usually tuna or salmon); avoid during pregnancy due to Listeria and parasite risk.
🚫 Avoid
poke bowl (raw fish)
Traditional poke contains raw fish (typically tuna or salmon) which carries parasitic and bacterial risks; not recommended during pregnancy.
🚫 Avoid
sashimi
Raw sliced fish carries parasitic and bacterial risks including Anisakis, Vibrio, and Listeria; not safe during pregnancy.
🚫 Avoid
sushi (raw fish)
Raw fish may contain parasites (Anisakis) and bacteria that are more dangerous during pregnancy; the FDA advises pregnant women to avoid raw fish.
🚫 Avoid
bibimbap
Often served with a raw or runny egg on top; the egg may not cook fully from the rice heat alone, posing salmonella risk.
⚠️ Caution
burgers
Ground beef must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to kill E. coli and other pathogens; medium-rare or rare burgers are not safe.
⚠️ Caution
Caesar salad
Traditional Caesar dressing contains raw egg yolk and anchovies; restaurant versions vary. Ask about pasteurized dressing.
⚠️ Caution
Caesar salad (restaurant)
Traditional Caesar dressing is made with raw egg yolks and anchovies; restaurant preparations may use raw eggs posing salmonella risk.
⚠️ Caution
canned soup
Generally safe but high in sodium; BPA from can linings may leach into acidic soups. Choose BPA-free cans when possible.
⚠️ Caution
carbonara
Traditional recipe uses raw egg yolk mixed into hot pasta; the egg may not reach safe temperature. Ask about preparation.
⚠️ Caution
coleslaw (deli/store)
Pre-made deli coleslaw may carry Listeria risk from sitting at cold temperatures; homemade with fresh ingredients is safer.
⚠️ Caution
deli potato salad
Pre-made deli salads carry Listeria risk from preparation and storage; homemade with fresh ingredients is safer.
⚠️ Caution
eggs Benedict
Contains hollandaise sauce (partially cooked eggs) and often Canadian bacon (deli meat); both pose salmonella and listeria risks respectively.
⚠️ Caution
instant ramen
Very high sodium, preservatives, and low nutritional value; safe occasionally but not as a regular meal during pregnancy.
⚠️ Caution
kebabs
Safe when meat is thoroughly cooked all the way through; ground meat kebabs (kofta) must reach 160°F (71°C) to be safe.
⚠️ Caution
kelp/kombu
Extremely high in iodine (up to 2,984 mcg per gram vs. recommended 220 mcg/day in pregnancy); excessive iodine can cause fetal thyroid problems.
⚠️ Caution
pho
The broth is safe as it is simmered for hours, but some restaurants add raw bean sprouts and thinly sliced raw beef that cooks in the broth, which may not reach safe temperatures.
⚠️ Caution
ramen
Generally safe when proteins are fully cooked; watch for soft-boiled eggs (ajitama) which may have runny yolks that don't reach safe temperatures.
⚠️ Caution
shawarma
The meat should be freshly carved from the spit and thoroughly cooked; some shops make garlic sauce (toum) with raw egg whites which poses salmonella risk.
⚠️ Caution
spring rolls (fresh/uncooked)
Fresh rice paper rolls may contain raw vegetables and herbs that could carry bacteria if not thoroughly washed; sometimes contain raw shrimp.
⚠️ Caution
steak (rare/medium-rare)
Whole cuts of beef carry lower risk than ground beef, but undercooked meat may harbor Toxoplasma parasites; medium-well to well-done is safest.
⚠️ Caution
store-made egg salad
Pre-made egg salad from delis carries Listeria risk from sitting at cold temperatures; make fresh at home instead.
⚠️ Caution
store-made tuna salad
Pre-made tuna salad from delis carries Listeria risk; also watch mercury from tuna. Make fresh at home with canned light tuna.
⚠️ Caution
Subway
Cold deli meats carry Listeria risk; ask for your sub to be toasted/heated until steaming to reduce risk.
⚠️ Caution
wakame
Contains moderate to high iodine levels; excessive iodine can affect thyroid function in both mother and fetus. Limit to small servings.
⚠️ Caution
Waldorf salad
Often dressed with mayonnaise which may be homemade (raw egg) at restaurants; also may sit at room temperature at buffets, increasing bacterial growth risk.
⚠️ Caution
acai bowl
Safe if made with pasteurized acai puree; unpasteurized acai may carry Chagas disease risk. Watch sugar content.
✅ Safe
biryani
Fully cooked rice dish with meat and spices; safe during pregnancy. Rich in protein and carbs.
✅ Safe
buffalo wings
Fully cooked chicken; safe during pregnancy. Be cautious with blue cheese dipping sauce (check pasteurization).
✅ Safe
burritos
Safe when filled with thoroughly cooked meats, beans, rice, and pasteurized cheese and sour cream.
✅ Safe
butter chicken
Fully cooked Indian curry; safe during pregnancy. High in cream so eat in moderation.
✅ Safe
california roll
Made with imitation crab (surimi, which is cooked pollock), cucumber, and avocado; all ingredients are cooked or raw vegetables, making it safe during pregnancy.
✅ Safe
Chick-fil-A
Chicken is fully cooked (pressure-cooked or fried); sauces are pasteurized. Safe during pregnancy.
✅ Safe
Chinese food
Safe when fully cooked; most Chinese dishes involve high-heat stir-frying or deep-frying. Watch sodium intake.
✅ Safe
Chipotle
Meat is fully cooked; cheese and sour cream are pasteurized. Safe during pregnancy.
✅ Safe
dim sum
Steamed dumplings and other dim sum items are thoroughly cooked during steaming; safe when served hot and freshly prepared.
✅ Safe
dumplings (cooked)
Steamed, boiled, or pan-fried dumplings with cooked meat or vegetable fillings are safe during pregnancy when served hot.
✅ Safe
edamame
Cooked young soybeans that are safe and nutritious during pregnancy; good source of protein, folate, and fiber.
✅ Safe
falafel
Deep-fried chickpea patties are thoroughly cooked at high temperatures; safe during pregnancy. A good plant-based protein source.
✅ Safe
fish tacos
Safe when fish is fully cooked (grilled or fried); choose low-mercury fish options like cod or tilapia.
✅ Safe
fried rice
Eggs and all ingredients are fully cooked; safe during pregnancy. High in sodium so eat in moderation.
✅ Safe
kimchi
Commercially produced kimchi is safe during pregnancy; fermented and provides beneficial probiotics. Choose pasteurized or commercially produced over homemade.
✅ Safe
lasagna
Baked pasta dish; cheeses and meat are fully cooked. Safe during pregnancy.
✅ Safe
lo mein
Fully cooked noodle dish; safe during pregnancy. High in sodium and oil so eat in moderation.
✅ Safe
McDonald's
Meat is thoroughly grilled; cheese is processed/pasteurized. Safe in moderation during pregnancy.
✅ Safe
miso soup
Safe during pregnancy; the miso paste is fermented and the soup is heated. Has been associated with reduced risk of preterm birth in studies.
✅ Safe
naan bread
Baked flatbread; safe during pregnancy. Good source of carbohydrates.
✅ Safe
natto
Fermented soybeans rich in vitamin K2 and probiotics; safe during pregnancy in moderate amounts. High in vitamin K so consult doctor if on blood thinners.
✅ Safe
nori (seaweed sheets)
Low in iodine compared to other seaweeds and safe during pregnancy in normal amounts; commonly used in sushi rolls.
✅ Safe
pad thai
Generally safe when freshly cooked with well-heated ingredients; the stir-frying process kills pathogens. Contains egg, rice noodles, and typically cooked shrimp or chicken.
✅ Safe
pizza
Generally safe when freshly baked; the high oven temperature kills bacteria. Most pizza uses pasteurized mozzarella cheese.
✅ Safe
sauerkraut
Commercially produced sauerkraut is safe during pregnancy; provides beneficial probiotics and vitamin C. Choose commercially produced over homemade for safety.
✅ Safe
smoothie bowl
Safe when made with pasteurized ingredients; good source of fruits and nutrients for pregnancy.
✅ Safe
spicy food
No evidence that spicy food harms the baby; may cause heartburn or indigestion in the mother but is otherwise safe.
✅ Safe
spring rolls (fried)
Deep-fried spring rolls are thoroughly cooked at high temperatures, killing any pathogens; safe during pregnancy.
✅ Safe
sushi (cooked rolls)
Cooked sushi rolls with low-mercury seafood (shrimp tempura, crab, eel, cooked salmon) are safe during pregnancy.
✅ Safe
tacos
Safe when meat fillings are thoroughly cooked; most taco preparations use well-cooked seasoned meats.
✅ Safe
tempeh
Fermented soybean product that is always cooked before eating; safe during pregnancy and a good plant-based protein source.
✅ Safe
tikka masala
Fully cooked curry dish; safe during pregnancy. Rich in protein from chicken and tomato-based sauce.
✅ Safe
tofu
Safe during pregnancy in moderate amounts (1-2 servings per day); good source of plant protein, calcium, and iron. Contains phytoestrogens but moderate intake is not harmful.
✅ Safe
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