Can Pregnant Women Eat Salami?

Pregnancy can be full of questions. Should I find out the sex of the baby? Do I really have to name them after my great-grandfather? And what about an epidural?

It’s tough out there. We can’t answer everything.

But if your big question for today is can pregnant women eat salami?, that’s one question we can definitely answer.

Though if you’re craving that tasty deli sandwich for lunch, it might not be the answer you want.

In this article 📝

Is it safe to eat salami when pregnant?

Generally speaking, the advice is to avoid deli meats like salami during pregnancy.

So if you’re asking can you eat salami when pregnant?, the answer is kind of a no. Sorry.

But why the “kind of”? Well, pregnancy advice can be full of gray areas, and this is no different.

While the only way to totally avoid any risks that come from eating salami when pregnant is to skip it completely, there may be some ways you can enjoy salami.

We’ll get to them later…

So what are the risks of eating salami while pregnant?

Salami is typically made of pork, although can also be made from beef, lamb, venison, or poultry.

Traditionally, salami isn’t cooked — instead, cuts of meat along with seasonings and additional fats are cured, fermented, and air-dried into a sausage. It’s then typically sliced and served cold.

The risks that come from eating salami while pregnant are due to the possible presence of bacteria within the meat, which can cause food poisoning.

Salami can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria due to the way it is usually processed, stored, and served cold.

Food poisoning — including listeriosis, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella — can seriously affect the health of pregnant women and their babies, and can even cause miscarriage, preterm labor, and stillbirth.

What deli meats can I eat while pregnant?

As we’ve said, all deli meats rank pretty highly on the foods to avoid list, so if you’re unsure, it’s best not to indulge in this craving.

So what should you do if you’ve mistakenly eaten some salami before reading this article?

First up, don’t panic.

Deli meat is one of the riskier foods for pregnant women, but the likelihood of getting sick from it is low with the increasingly stringent food production guidelines.

However, our advice is to avoid these meats.

The effects of salmonella, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, typically occur within a day or two of eating affected foods, whereas illnesses from listeriosis and toxoplasmosis can take longer to emerge (up to 2 months).

Keep an eye on how you’re feeling, and if you notice any symptoms outside of the “normal” pregnancy woes, like vomiting and diarrhea, but also fatigue, body aches, fever, and confusion, it’s essential to check in with your doctor.

What kind of salami can you eat when pregnant?

So is there any way you can eat salami while pregnant?

We’re going back to that “gray area” we mentioned at the beginning.

While some pregnant women will choose to avoid salami entirely, salami can be made safe to eat by cooking it.

So, can pregnant women eat cooked salami? Yes.

Cooking salami to an internal temperature of 165℉ (75℃) will kill any bacteria.

If you don’t have a meat thermometer on hand, this temperature can also be described as “steaming hot.” We’re looking for sizzling, bubbling, crispy salami.

It should also be noted that, like any processed meat, salami contains little nutritional benefit.

Although high in protein, it’s also super high in fats and salt.

So if you do choose to cook your salami and eat it, it should be enjoyed in moderation.

Can you eat salami and pepperoni when pregnant?

Rules around pepperoni are much the same as salami, so you know the drill. Either get cooking or leave it for now.

Can pregnant women eat salami on pizza?

And finally, we need to talk about pizza.

Salami and other deli meats are commonly found on pizzas, and if they’re part of the cooked pizza topping, then you should be fine.

But look out for meats like capicola, prosciutto, or parma ham, which are sometimes added cold onto already-cooked pizzas, meaning they’re not safe for pregnant women.

More on pregnancy foods:
Can Pregnant Women Eat Hot Dogs?
Can Pregnant Women Eat Pork?
Can Pregnant Women Eat Pepperoni?
Can Pregnant Women Eat Deli Meat?
Can Pregnant Women Eat Bacon?
Can You Eat Medium Rare Steak While Pregnant?
Can You Eat Seafood While Pregnant?
Can You Eat Beef Jerky While Pregnant?