If you’re expecting, then congratulations! Being pregnant is an amazing feeling, and bringing a child into the world is such an amazing experience. However, as I am sure you know now, pregnancy can affect your body in a variety of ways, including changes in your appetite and food cravings.
If you’re pregnant and enjoy eating pizza, you’ll want to be mindful of the pizza toppings to avoid when pregnant, to ensure that you and your baby stay healthy.
It isn’t all doom and gloom though; there are plenty of other toppings you can still eat, when getting your pizza fix. I’ll go through those as well.
First off though, here are a few pizza toppings to avoid when pregnant, just to be on the safe side.
Pizza toppings to avoid when pregnant
Our parents and their parents will tell you they ate all of these, and you turned out fine, however there was a higher rate of pregnancy related issues back then; do you really want to take the chance? Here’s some food groups and pizza toppings that experts say you should avoid.
Deli meats
Deli meats, such as ham, bacon, and salami, may be high in sodium and preservatives, which can be harmful to your baby.
Additionally, deli meats can sometimes be contaminated with listeria, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness in pregnant women.
Soft cheeses
One of the most common pizza toppings to avoid when pregnant is sadly, soft cheese. Soft cheeses, such as feta, brie, and camembert, may be high in bacteria that can be harmful to your baby.
These types of cheeses are often made from raw or unpasteurized milk, which can increase the risk of bacterial contamination. Read on to find out which cheeses you can eat though.
Raw or undercooked meats
It is important to avoid raw or undercooked meats while pregnant to reduce the risk of food poisoning. This includes raw or undercooked toppings like pepperoni, sausage, and chicken.
You should always be sure to cook these toppings thoroughly before adding them to your pizza.
Pineapple
Weirdly, one of the pizza toppings to avoid when pregnant is Pineapple, believe it or not. Pineapple contains an enzyme called Bromelain, which can soften the cervix and cause contractions.
While many experts say it is reasonably safe to eat pineapple in moderation while pregnant, you may want to avoid it on your pizza, just to be on the safe side.
Raw Eggs
A lesser known food that you should avoid when pregnant is raw egg. You should be careful to avoid anything with raw or undercooked eggs as well. If you do enjoy eating egg on your pizza, then perhaps use slices of hard boiled egg during your pregnancy?
Pregnant women and the general population should avoid consuming raw and undercooked eggs. They should store eggs in the refrigerator and wash their hands as well as any utensils or surfaces after contact with raw eggs.
(Source: Food safety during pregnancy)
Caffeine
While a little bit of caffeine is generally considered safe during pregnancy, you may want to avoid caffeine-heavy toppings like coffee-marinated meats or chocolate. It’s amazing what can contain coffee or chocolate, so always check if you are unsure.
Too much caffeine can cause restlessness, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping, which can be unpleasant for both you and your baby.
Why avoid deli meats when pregnant?
Deli meats, such as ham, bacon, and salami, are very common pizza toppings around the world. Unfortunately, they are pizza toppings you should avoid when pregnant because they may be high in sodium and preservatives, which can be harmful to your baby.
Additionally, deli meats can sometimes be contaminated with listeria, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness in pregnant women.
Here are a few reasons why you may want to avoid deli meats while pregnant:
Listeria contamination
Listeria is a type of bacteria that can be found in a variety of foods, including deli meats. While listeria infections are rare, they can be serious, especially for pregnant women.
Listeria infection during pregnancy can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, and it can also lead to complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature delivery.
High sodium content
Deli meats are often high in sodium, which can be harmful to your baby.
Consuming too much sodium during pregnancy can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, which can be dangerous for both you and your baby. It can also lead to fluid retention and swelling, which can be uncomfortable.
Processed foods
Deli meats are typically processed, which means that they have been treated with chemicals to preserve them. These chemicals can be harmful to your baby and may contribute to the risk of birth defects and other health problems.
While deli meats may be convenient, they may not be the best choice for pregnant women due to their potential for contamination with listeria. Not to mention their high sodium content and processed ingredients.
By choosing healthier protein sources such as the ones I list below, you are helping to ensure the health and well-being of both you and your baby.
Foods to eat when pregnant
We’ve heard all about pizza toppings to avoid when pregnant, but what about some toppings that are actually good for your pregnancy and overall health?
If you’re pregnant and looking for protein-rich foods to include in your diet, there are plenty of healthier alternatives to deli meats. Some good options to try include grilled chicken, grilled fish, and tofu. You can also try using beans, nuts, and seeds as protein sources.
Here are a few pizza toppings that you can safely include in your diet while pregnant, so you continue to enjoy pizza:
Cooked vegetables
Vegetables are an excellent source of nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they can be a healthy and delicious addition to your pizza. Some good options to try include cooked bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
Women should also consume plenty of folate from foods like dark-green vegetables and beans, peas, and lentils during pregnancy.
(Source: Health.gov)
Cooked proteins
Proteins are an important part of a healthy pregnancy diet, and there are plenty of cooked protein options that you can use as pizza toppings.
Grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, and tofu are all good choices. You can also try using beans, nuts, and seeds as protein sources.
Hard cheeses
Hard cheeses, such as mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan, are generally considered safe to eat while pregnant. These cheeses are made from pasteurized milk, which reduces the risk of bacterial contamination.
Pineapple (in moderation)
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which can soften the cervix and cause contractions. While it is generally considered safe to eat pineapple in moderation while pregnant, you may want to avoid it as a pizza topping in large quantities to be on the safe side.
Basil and oregano
Basil and oregano are aromatic herbs that can add flavor and nutrition to your pizza. These herbs are high in antioxidants and have a range of health benefits, including the potential to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.
Summary: pizza toppings to avoid when pregnant
Overall, while pregnancy can affect your appetite and food cravings, there are plenty of healthy and delicious pizza toppings that you can include in your diet. It’s easy to know what pizza toppings to avoid when pregnant, and replace them with even healthier options.
By choosing toppings that are rich in nutrients and low in potential risks, you can help to ensure the health and well-being of both you and your baby. All the best for your pregnancy and child!
