We’ll address the question “Can you eat eggs easily when pregnant?” and describe the benefits of eating eggs while pregnant in this post. We’ll also talk about whether or not hard-boiled eggs are okay to eat during pregnancy.
Can you eat eggs easily while pregnant?
Yes, you can eat over-easy eggs while you’re pregnant. However, before eating them, be sure they’ve been completely cooked or pasteurized.
Pathogens such as Salmonella bacteria can be found in undercooked or raw eggs, causing food poisoning and other health issues. During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system is temporarily compromised, making her more susceptible to foodborne illness.
High fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and electrolyte loss are all symptoms of Salmonella infection. In extreme cases, these symptoms can lead to premature labor or even a miscarriage.
Pasteurization and cooking kill salmonella bacteria. Pregnant women should only eat thoroughly cooked or pasteurized eggs to avoid the spread of pathogens. You should also avoid the following:
- Egg-based meals that are raw or undercooked (unless those eggs are pasteurized).
- Any dish that calls for raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided because it’s difficult to verify whether restaurant-bought eggs have been pasteurized.
- Avoid deli-deviled eggs and egg salad unless you’re convinced the dish has been properly prepared (by fully cooking, for example) and has just been hanging out for a maximum of two hours before consumption (or one hour on a very warm day). To be on the safe side, make these meals at home so you know exactly how the eggs were handled and prepared.
Are hard-boiled eggs safe during pregnancy?
Yes, if hard-boiled eggs are adequately cooked, handled, and kept properly, they are safe. To make sure your hard-boiled egg is safe to eat, follow these steps:
Make sure the yolk and white are totally firm before serving. In most cases, this entails cooking the eggs for at least 12 minutes.
Refrigerate (in the shell or peeled) for up to a week after cooking and use within a week.
Hard-boiled eggs should not be left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the weather is warm)
Refrigerated hard-boiled eggs should be reheated to 165°F before eating.
How to prepare eggs safely during pregnancy?
Here are some safety considerations when boiling eggs:
- Cook scrambled eggs until they are firm to the touch (no moisture or sliminess)
- Cook fried eggs in a covered pan for 4 minutes or 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Check the firmness of the yolks and whites.
- Food should be handled and stored safely, and leftovers should be eaten as quickly as possible.
- Cook any egg-based dish (such as a quiche or soufflé) to 160°F before serving, and reheat any previously cooked dish to that temperature just before serving. Make sure the meal is steaming if you don’t have a thermometer.
- If you’re making undercooked eggs or dishes with raw eggs (such eggnog, ice cream, custard, or Caesar salad dressing), or if you want to taste cookie dough or cake batter before cooking it, use pasteurized eggs.
Have you ever bought pasteurized eggs before?
Pasteurized in-shell eggs look like conventional eggs in a carton, but they will be labeled as such. Instead, non-pasteurized eggs frequently have “safe handling instructions” printed on the container.
Keep eggs refrigerated, cook them until the yolks are hard, and fully cook meals using eggs, according to these guidelines.
The benefits of eating eggs during pregnancy
Because of their great nutritional value, eggs are an excellent way to help a pregnant woman meet her daily nutritional needs.
Eggs are high in protein and include 13 minerals and vitamins, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and radicals, all of which are essential for a child’s healthy development. In only one dish, eggs provide nearly all of a woman’s enhanced protein requirements during pregnancy.
They’re also high in choline, a nutrient that, when paired with other nutrients, aids brain and spinal cord growth during pregnancy.
In addition to getting folic acid supplements, eating choline during pregnancy may reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
Vitamin A, which is found in eggs and helps to create healthy eyesight, hair, and an immune system, is one of the vitamins found in them. They also contain salt, folate, and iron, all of which are essential elements for expecting mothers.
How to enjoy eggs during pregnancy
To gain all of the nutritive value of eggs while maintaining food safety during pregnancy, follow these guidelines:
- All egg dishes must be cooked fully.
- Verify the sell-by date on packaged eggs before eating them.
- It’s best to avoid eggs with cracked or filthy shells.
- Freeze your egg in the carton in which they were purchased.
- Separate your eggs from those other foods and keep them in a dish.
- Within 3 days of cooking, the hard-boiled egg should be consumed.
Read about the 12 best foods for pregnancy. (Eggs lead the list!)
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Can you eat eggs easily while pregnant?” and discuss the benefits of eating eggs while pregnant. Moreover, we are going to discuss whether hard-boiled eggs are safe during pregnancy or not.