Can you eat Heinz mayonnaise when pregnant?

In this article we are going to answer can you eat Heinz mayonnaise when pregnant, what is mayonnaise, the types of mayonnaise in the market, whether Heinz mayonnaise is healthy to eat and how to add Heinz mayonnaise to your healthy diet when pregnant. 

Can you eat Heinz mayonnaise when pregnant?

Yes, Heinz mayonnaise is safe to eat when pregnant because it is made with pasteurized eggs. According to the brand, Heinz, all their products are made with high-quality ingredients and go through pasteurization to ensure there are no bacteria in them. Even juices are pasteurized according to Heinz Australia. 

Mayonnaise should be eaten in moderation when pregnant because it can lead to weight gain. You can also choose Heinz light mayonnaise for less fat and calories. 

What is mayonnaise?

Mayonnaise is a thick creamy dressing consisting of emulsification of eggs, oil, and lemon juice. It can have herbs or other flavors like garlic or chipotle. It is used as a dip or in preparations of snacks like burgers, sandwiches, salads, cupcakes, and dips combined with herbs. 

What types of mayonnaise are on the market?

  • Real mayonnaise: Fat content 78.5% and egg 6%
  • Full-fat mayonnaise: contains 65-75%
  • Light mayonnaise: Fat content 20-30% and around 3% and includes agents such as xanthan gum
  • Extra mayonnaise: contains less than 10% fat and 4% egg

Is Heinz mayonnaise pasteurized?

All mayo that is sold at the supermarket is made with pasteurized eggs. If you are buying at your local store or street market, ask about the origin of the ingredients. If not sure, better not to buy it. 

According to the brand, all eggs that are used in their facilities go through pasteurization. 

What type of mayonnaise should I avoid?

Mayonnaise should be avoided when made with unpasteurized eggs.  

  • Homemade mayo: If you are doing it, make sure you are buying pasteurized eggs. 
  • Specialty stores: farmer’s market, pop food shop, and specialty stores
  • Restaurant: the chance is that it is made with pasteurized eggs, but you better double-check.

What is the risk of eating mayonnaise when pregnant? 

Although nowadays it’s very difficult to catch an infection, you should avoid eating mayonnaise made with unpasteurized eggs. The three main diseases you can contract are toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and listeriosis. 

Listeria monocytogenes cause 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. 

Is Heinz mayonnaise healthy when pregnant?

Heinz mayonnaise is not healthy food and it should be eaten in moderation. Mayonnaise is high-fat, high-calorie content food. As you can see from the nutrition label, it has only fat and sodium. 

1 tablespoon has:

  • 90 calories
  • 10 grams of total fat
  • 1.5 grams saturated fat
  • 10 mg cholesterol
  • 70 mg sodium
  • 0 grams carbohydrates
  • 0.2 grams protein

Heinz mayonnaise is made with soybean oil, water, whole eggs, egg yolks, vinegar, salt, sugar, lemon juice concentrate, calcium disodium EDTA, and natural flavors. 

Because it has a lot of fat and minimum amounts of vitamins, you should use it just once in a while. It is also a significant source of sodium, if you have preeclampsia or high blood pressure when pregnant do not eat too much mayo. It can alter your blood pressure levels. 

My recommendation is to include Heins mayonnaise in a healthy balanced diet, you can also choose Heinz Light mayonnaise. Is as simple as eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. 

A few nutrients need special attention during pregnancy, like folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids. 

  • Ideally, 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables every day
  • Increase your intake of whole grains and cereal foods. Choose high fiber options
  • Milk, hard cheese, and yogurt are great options because they are high calcium foods.
  • Choose low-fat options and good fats: fats from vegetable sources like almonds, olive oil, and avocado. 
  • Choose lean proteins and choose low mercury fish options. 
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Always stay active

Want a more healthy option? You can try some healthy substitutes to keep your calories down. 

Conclusion

This article answered can you eat Heinz mayonnaise when pregnant, what is mayonnaise, the types of mayonnaise in the market, whether Heinz mayonnaise is healthy to eat and how to add mayonnaise to your diet. 

Conclusion 

https://www.nutritionix.com/i/heinz/mayonnaise/5478e730fb51561224943cf6

https://www.peanut-app.io/blog/can-you-eat-mayo-when-pregnant

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!