Can you eat guinea fowl when pregnant?
In this article we are going to answer the question: can you eat guinea fowl when pregnant, is guinea fowl healthy when pregnant, can you eat guinea fowl eggs, and how to cook guinea fowl.
Can you eat guinea fowl when pregnant?
Yes! You can eat guinea fowl when pregnant. They are a healthy source of protein and folic acid. Just remember, it needs to be fully cooked so you don’t catch any food poisoning disease such as listeria.
What is guinea fowl?
It is a small domesticated fowl similar to chicken in flavor but with darker, slightly dryer, and gamier-tasting meat. They are raised for meat and egg production. Young guinea’s meat is tender. The meat is lean and high in protein. Guinea eggs can be eaten just like chicken eggs.
They are the same taxonomic family as chicken and turkeys but are native to Africa. They are endemic in some parts of Africa.
Is guinea fowl healthy when pregnant?
Guinea is a super healthy choice because it has low cholesterol and low-fat content. It has 3 times less fat than beef. Guinea fowl eggs are also super healthy, they have vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin D.
| Portion 85 g | |
| Calories | 94 calories |
| Total Fat | 2.1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 54 mg |
| Sodium | 59 mg |
| Total carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Calcium | 9.4 mg |
| Iron | 0.7 mg |
| Potassium | 187 mg |
What is the risk of eating guinea fowl?
The risk of eating guinea fowl undercooked and other meat and poultry is to catch a food poisoning disease. Although nowadays it’s very difficult to catch an infection, you should avoid eating undercooked meat and poultry when pregnant.
You should also take care when handling raw meat and poultry and store it separately to avoid cross-contamination. The three main diseases you can contract if you eat uncooked meat and poultry are toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and 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.
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.
Salmonella is a bacteria that can be very dangerous in pregnant women. It also causes digestive symptoms like the other pathogens listed above. One important thing about salmonella is that it can cause bacteremia, a condition where there is bacteria in the blood and can be fatal to pregnant women.
So why are pregnant women more likely to get infected? Because their immune system is compromised and does not work as well as for a healthy person. Also, remember that while the baby is not fully developed, the baby it’s at risk too.
Listeria monocytogenes, Toxoplasma Gondii, and salmonella are killed by pasteurization and cooking. This is because of the heat.
You need to cook up to 145 degrees for whole meats plus a 3-minute stand time for safety. According to the USDA, “3-minute stand for safety refers to the time that the product remains at the final temperature after it has been removed from the oven, grill, or stove. During the 3 minutes after it has been removed, its temperature remains constant and continues to rise, to kill pathogens’’
Also, it’s important to know that listeria grows at refrigerator temperature (approx 2-4 degrees) and there can be contamination from one food to another. That’s why you should always wash your hands before and after you cook any food.
Is guinea fowl healthier than chicken?
They are very similar because they are from the same family. The meat is darker and more flavorful than chicken. You just need to be extra careful when cooking it because it is leaner and might be overcooked easily.
Can I eat guinea fowl eggs when pregnant?
Yes!, They are super healthy and have a similar taste to chicken eggs but they have a higher yolk to white ratio and they are creamier and richer than chicken eggs. They are rich in protein, fat, calcium, and sodium. They are super healthy for baby growth and development.
How can I cook guinea fowl when pregnant?
As said above, it needs to be cooked at 165 C degrees. Usually, they take about 60 minutes to be fully cooked. Here are some recipes for you!
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Other FAQs about Chicken that you may be interested in.
How to fry frozen chicken breast?
How to fry frozen chicken wings?
Conclusion
This article answered the question: can you eat guinea fowl when pregnant, is guinea fowl healthy when pregnant, can you eat guinea fowl eggs, and how to cook guinea.
Citation
https://www.motherandbaby.co.uk/pregnancy/health-and-wellness/foods-to-avoid-in-pregnancy/
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/guinea-fowl-glossary
https://www.dartagnan.com/what-is-a-guinea-hen.html
