Can you eat baked clams when pregnant

Shellfish and crustaceans , many questions about it. Can you eat stuffed clam while pregnant? The answer is YES, you can eat it during your pregnancy. All you need to do is respect a few consumption rules, which we will explain to you now. These instructions are important, take the time to read them so you don’t make mistakes.

What are the conditions for eating stuffed clam while pregnant?

Normally, the intake of crustaceans and shellfish is limited to twice a week. To eat seafood, they need to be cooked. So to eat stuffed clam when you’re pregnant, it need to be COOKED. Here is the only condition to follow.
It is always better to buy fresh seafood and cook it yourself and store it in a clean refrigerator if necessary. Do not buy shellfish that have already been cooked and put up for sale.

If you follow these rules, you are less exposed to the risk of listeriosis. It is a disease caused by bacteria found in meat, fish, seafood and cheese. It is only killed if the food is cooked at least 70°C. So all crustaceans and shellfish can be eaten in moderation of course, so as not to bring too much mercury.

If you are thinking about other foods while pregnant, type their name in the food search engine while pregnant .

What are the benefits of eating stuffed clam while you’re pregnant?

Eating stuffed clam while pregnant provides vitamins, trace elements, …. The main one is iodine which will play a very important role in the functioning of the mother’s thyroid gland and the proper brain development of the baby. Iodine can be found in well-cooked shellfish, mussels, fish, dairy products and eggs.

If you would like to know a little more about women’s nutrition while pregnant, click on the link below: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/healthy-eating-pregnancy

Conclusion

Yes, you can eat stuffed clam while pregnant without risking your baby’s development. Make sure it is well cooked, in the best case buy the fresh one and cook it yourself.

Millie Mackintosh has unwittingly sparked a debate about whether it is safe to eat shellfish while pregnant [Photo: Getty]

A debate has been sparked on social media about whether or not it is safe to eat shellfish while pregnant.

The confusion was unwittingly sparked by Millie Mackintosh after the pregnant star shared an image of herself enjoying a plate of seafood pasta.

Following queries from some fans in the comments about whether it was safe to eat spagetthi vongole (clam pasta) while pregnant the former ‘Made in Chelsea’ star updated the caption to explain she had checked with her doctor that the tasty-looking dish was fine for her to eat.

“I am eating shellfish occasionally, I have checked it out with my obstetrician and he says it’s perfectly safe to eat as long as it’s cooked but thank you for your comments,” she wrote.

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A post shared by Millie Mackintosh (@milliemackintosh) on Jan 24, 2020 at 11:47am PST

My Expert Midwife co-founder and midwife, Lesley Gilchrist says most shellfish are safe to eat when pregnant if they are properly cooked.

“If they have not been properly cooked or not stored correctly they may contain harmful bacteria which can cause sickness, vomiting and diarrhoea,” she says.

According to Dr Diana Gall from Doctor-4-U seafood can be great for the development of an unborn baby as it is one of the only food types naturally high in omega-3, which is needed for a baby’s brain and eye development.

“Seafood can also contain protein, vitamin D, calcium and iron, so it’s a good idea to include a healthy amount of seafood in your diet while you’re pregnant,” she adds.

But there are certain types of seafood you’d be better off avoiding if you’re pregnant.

“Shellfish such as oysters, muscles, prawns, and crabs should be completely avoided unless they are cooked thoroughly. Raw shellfish is more likely to contain bacteria that can make you ill,” Dr Gall continues.

Gilchrist has cleared up some other common misconceptions when it comes to eating fish and seafood while pregnant.

“White fish are an excellent source of protein and oily fish a source of vitamin D and 'good' fats during pregnancy,” she says.

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“However, current recommendations are that pregnant women should limit their consumption of oily fish to two portions per week, as there is a risk of toxin build up in the body which could possibly affect development of the baby.

“It is recommended that shark, swordfish and marlin should be avoided during pregnancy, as they contain higher levels of mercury than other fish, which can damage a baby's development.”

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A post shared by Millie Mackintosh (@milliemackintosh) on Jan 26, 2020 at 10:10am PST

Foods you can and can’t eat during pregnancy

It can be confusing for pregnant women to know the foods they can and can’t eat when pregnant.

Foods to avoid in pregnancy

Soft cheeses with white rinds

The NHS recommends pregnant women avoid mould-ripened soft cheese (cheeses with a white rind) such as brie and camembert. This includes mould-ripened soft goats' cheese, such as chèvre.

“These cheeses are only safe to eat in pregnancy if they've been cooked,” the site explains.

Soft blue cheeses

Soft blue-veined cheeses such as danish blue, gorgonzola and roquefort, should also be avoided as soft blue cheeses are only safe to eat in pregnancy if they've been cooked.

“It's advised pregnant women avoid some soft cheeses because they're less acidic than hard cheeses and contain more moisture, which means they can be an ideal environment for harmful bacteria, such as listeria, to grow in,” the site explains.

Other than mould-ripened soft cheeses, all other soft types of cheese are OK to eat, provided they're made from pasteurised milk.

Pâté

The NHS also recommends pregnant women avoid all types of pâté, including vegetable pâtés, as they can contain listeria.

Uncooked or raw meat

Pregnant women are advised not to eat raw or undercooked meat, including meat joints and steaks cooked rare, because of the potential risk of toxoplasmosis.

“Make sure all meat is cooked through until there is no blood present,” Dr Gall adds.

Though toxoplasmosis is an infection, which can damage your baby, it is important to remember it is very rare in pregnancy.

The NHS also advises caution when it comes to cold meats, such as salami, prosciutto, chorizo and pepperoni. This is because they are not cooked, just cured and fermented, which means there's a risk they contain toxoplasmosis-causing parasites.

Foods it is safe to eat during pregnancy

Smoked fish

Smoked fish, including smoked salmon and smoked trout, is considered safe to eat in pregnancy, according to the NHS.

Sushi

According to Dr Gall it is fine to eat raw or lightly cooked fish in dishes like sushi when you're pregnant, as long as any raw wild fish used to make it has been frozen first.

This is because, occasionally, wild fish contains small parasitic worms that could make you ill. Freezing kills the worms and makes raw fish safe to eat.

“The majority of pre-packed sushi you find in shops will have already gone through a freezing process and will be safe,” Dr Gall adds.

Peanuts

Unless you are allergic to them or are advised by your doctor or health professional not to, you can eat peanuts or food containing peanuts, such as peanut butter, during pregnancy.

Caffeine (in moderation)

Caffeine is fine, in moderation. “Avoid drinking more than 200mg a day which is about 2 cups of instant coffee,” recommends Dr Gall. “Though some foods and medications can contain caffeine, it is worth reading the label. If you do exceed this occasionally, the risk is not that big.”

Milk and yoghurt

Are both fine to consume while pregnant as long as you stick to pasteurised or ultra-heat treated (UHT) milk, which is sometimes called long-life milk.

Although yoghurts including bio, live and low fat have the go-ahead stamp, it is important to check that any homemade yoghurt is made with pasteurised milk, and, if not, steer clear.

Soft ice-cream

Last year a debate was sparked about whether or not it was safe for pregnant women to eat soft ice-cream.

The confusion came after Stacey Solomon was warned by fans against eating the sweet treat while she was pregnant with her third child.

According to the NHS: “Soft ice creams should be fine to eat when you’re pregnant, as they are processed products made with pasteurised milk and eggs, so any risk of salmonella food poisoning has been eliminated.

“For homemade ice cream, use a pasteurised egg substitute or follow an egg-free recipe.”

But Tina Perridge, midwife at Private Midwives had some further advice for pregnant women considering consuming soft ice cream.

“The NHS is quite clear that as these products are made from processed pasteurised milking eggs, they are safe to eat when pregnant,” she explains.

“The only concern would be the cleanliness of the machine producing the treat. Many suppliers pasteurise/clean their machines every night to a high temperature to destroy bacteria, but a small supplier/ice cream van may not. It is therefore probably best to stick to well-known companies and outlets.”

Can I eat cooked clams while pregnant?

Can you eat clams during pregnancy? Yes, as long as they're thoroughly cooked¹ – make sure their shells open, which indicates that they're done, and discard any that remain closed after cooking.

Can pregnant people eat stuffed clams?

Clams are safe for pregnant women to eat if they are fully cooked. Clams should never be eaten raw or undercooked. They're safe in clam chowder if the other ingredients are also pregnancy-safe, like pasteurized milk and cream.

Is baked mussels safe during pregnancy?

Yes! Like mussels, clams are a type of mollusk, and both are safe to eat during pregnancy. Like other types of fish, shellfish, and meat, mussels must be thoroughly cooked to be safe to eat during pregnancy.