Can I Eat Clam Chowder While Pregnant?

When you’re pregnant, there are a lot of foods you should avoid, and seafood is certainly one of them.

Seafood and shellfish always require some research because their safety almost always depends on how they’re prepared.

Do you want to satisfy a craving and wonder, can I eat clam chowder while pregnant?

When you are pregnant, your diet becomes a significant consideration for everyday living.

Not only do you have to eat healthy for you, but you also need to keep your baby in mind.

Some foods can be harmful to your baby while pregnant, even if you like eating them very much.

Even if you are craving it right now, you may find yourself wondering, can I eat clam chowder while pregnant.

Well, this is what you should always keep in mind when thinking about eating some.

Can I Eat Clam Chowder While Pregnant

For lovers of seafood, clam chowder is right there at the top of the list.

This unique shellfish is soft, chewy, and very tasty.

It is also a great source of protein, essential vitamins, and minerals and has a low-calorie count.

This soup-like dish is also a great addition to your pregnancy diet when it’s cold, or you just want to hydrate a little differently.

Pregnant women can eat clam chowder and reap all these benefits with no problem.

However, before getting to a pregnancy-safe situation, you must meet several conditions. These include:

It would be best if you cooked the clam chowder thoroughly. When you’re pregnant, raw or undercooked clams and any other type of seafood is a big no-no. Raw clams contain lots of harmful bacteria, like Vibrio vulnificus, which is in seawater. Cooking kills these and all other pathogens in the clams. However, which is why it is essential to make sure that your clam chowder is well cooked. Your clam chowder should boil for at least three minutes before you even think of eating it when you’re pregnant. You should also make sure you’re having the soup hot, whether you are having it at home or a restaurant so that you can be sure that all the bacteria are dead.
The ingredients used in the clam chowder are also essential. It is the best way to know to ensure that everything is good for the baby. At home, you can make your clam chowder just how you like it and know exactly what you put in. If you are at a restaurant, you can request the recipe or ask for what you want to be added to your clam chowder. You can also ask for less salt since the clams are naturally salty, which will be good for you and the baby.
It doesn’t matter whether you use fresh or canned clams in your chowder when you’re pregnant as long as they are well prepared. Canned clams come pre-cooked, but that doesn’t mean that you should reduce the standard cooking time for making them pregnancy safe.
When cooking unshucked clams, which means they are still in their shell, you need to ensure you remove all the dirt and sand. The best way to do this is to soak them in salty water multiple times in half-hour intervals while rinsing them out in between. After cooking, all the shells should be open, and you need to get rid of any that are still closed.

There is a lot to be said about seafood not being safe for consumption when you are pregnant.

The misinformation and the wrong preparation methods are some of the items driving misinformation.

If you are among the pregnant ladies wondering, can I eat clam chowder while pregnant, it can be confusing trying to sort out the truth from the lies.

However, by following a set of simple precautions, clam chowder can be a great addition to your pregnancy diet that helps both you and your baby.