Can you eat gizzard when pregnant?
In this brief article we are going to answer the question can you eat gizzard when pregnant, what are gizzard, what side effects of eating too much gizzard, and better protein options for pregnant women?
Can you eat gizzard when pregnant?
Yes, you can eat gizzard when pregnant but always in moderation. Gizzard contains too much cholesterol. Also, you should double-check that they are in good condition and cooked to prevent food poisoning.
What is a gizzard?
The gizzard is a muscular stomach that has some animals like fish, insects, mollusks, invertebrates, and chickens. Is a small organ that helps to digest food. They are highly valued in cuisines all over the world.
They are the low cost per pound, they are prep quickly, taste like dar meat, and are packed with a lot of nutrients. They are one of the healthiest portions of chickens. They are rich in protein, easy to digest, and high in a variety of vitamins, principally vitamin B12.
Because they are made up of muscle, they tend to be chewed and taste like dark meat. One serving of gizzard fulfills the 25% RDI of B12. Vitamin b12 is so important for brain function and neural development in a baby.
| 1 cup / 145 g | %DV | |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g | 0% |
| Fats | Total fat 3.9 gSaturated fat 1 g | 6%5% |
| Protein | 44.1 g | 88% |
| Cholesterol | 537 mg | 179% |
Are gizzard and liver the same?
They are not the same, the gizzard is a muscle that serves as a stomach and helps in the digestive process of animals. The liver has a different function. It serves as a clearinghouse for substances and packs more nutrients than a gizzard.
Gizzard
- Protein from the gizzard builds and maintains muscle and cell growth
- Rich in iron, prevents anemia
- Has vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, and b12: helps to maintain healthy blood circulation and health of mother’s skin, hair, and eyes.
Liver
- More nutritious than gizzard
- Caution when eating it when pregnant, it has too much vitamin A.
What is the bad thing about eating gizzard when pregnant?
The caution that lies from eating gizzard when pregnant is that it has too much cholesterol and it can have bad long-term effects on health. Also, if you don’t cook completely you can have food poisoning.
There are two main risks of eating gizzard when pregnant, toxomoplasmosis and listeriosis. Pregnant women should not eat uncooked gizzard.
Listeriosis
Listeria monocytogenes are the main bacteria that can be found in undercooked ham. It causes listeriosis. If you let the bacteria go too far, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and other health problems.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, approximately 2,5000 people will get infected with listeria every year. It means that it’s very rare to get infected but pregnant women are in a more delicate condition and need to be a little more careful because it could lead to fatal health conditions
Toxomoplasmosis
Toxoplasma Gondii is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. For a normal, healthy person, it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms but for pregnant women, it’s too risky, it can cause serious health problems. One important thing to add is that once you contract toxoplasmosis you can’t contract it again.
Which meat or protein sources are better for pregnant women?
When pregnant is very important to maintain a good intake of protein. Is essential for our building blocks. Eating enough protein support baby’s correct development. You should aim for approx 71 grams of protein per day. Here are some protein options for you when pregnant:
- Chicken breast (23 grams of protein per 3 ounces)
- Eggs (12 grams of protein per 2 eggs)
- Greek Yogurt (17 grams of protein per 6 ounces)
- Lean ground beef ( 22 grams of protein per 3 ounces)
- Salmon (22 grams of protein per 3 ounces)
- Legumes (15 to 30 grams per cup, cooked)
- Nuts (4 to 9 grams per 1 ounce)
How can I cook a gizzard?
The gizzard is very famous in French cuisines. Before its prepared, it should be emptied and clean. They can be added to almost everything: tacos, enchiladas, salads, lasagna, soups, etc. Here are some recipe ideas, click here.
Conclusion
In this brief article we answered the question can you eat gizzard when pregnant, what are gizzard, what side effects of eating too much gizzard, and better protein options for pregnant women?
