Can you eat knockwurst when pregnant?

In this article we are going to answer: can you eat knockwurst when pregnant, what is knockwurst, is knockwurst healthy to eat when pregnant, what is the risk of eating knockwurst when pregnant and how to safely cook knockwurst to eat when pregnant.

Can you eat knockwurst when pregnant?

Knockwurst can be eaten when pregnant only if it is cooked thoroughly up to 160 F or 70 C. If it has been cooked, you need to reheat it to prevent food poisoning. According to some organizations, all types of sausages are safe to eat in moderation only if well cooked. 

Processed meats like knockwurst are not recommended for pregnant women who have high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or water retention problems. 

What is knockwurst?

Knockwurst or knackwurst is a type of thick sausage that originated in Germany. It contains ground pork, veal, and sometimes beef and garlic. All the ingredients are minced and put into a casing and aged for days. 

After age, it is smoked over oak wood and then cooked. After all the process, knockwurst becomes very crisp, plump, and juicy. 

What is the difference between bratwurst and knockwurst?

Knockwurst sausage is made with pork meat, veal meat, and garlic while bratwurst is made with finely minced pork and beef.  The color of knockwurst tends to be red or orange, unlike bratwurst which tends to have a more pink color. 

Is knockwurst healthy to eat when pregnant?

Depending on the ingredients, 1 knockwurst of about 72 grams made with pork and beef contains 221 calories, 8 grams of protein, 20 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 43 mg of cholesterol, and 670 mg of sodium. 

Of 221 calories, 81% come from fat, 4% from carbs, and 14% from protein. You can add knockwurst to your healthy and balanced diet if eaten in moderation. It does have a high content of fat and sodium but if you don’t overeat them they are fine. 

What is the risk of eating Knockwurst when pregnant?

If you eat knockwurst that has not been cooked fully or you didn’t reheat it after being cooked, there is a risk of food poisoning. According to the FDA, knockwurst can be contaminated with listeria after being processed and packaged at the plant. You need to reheat and cook it always. 

Although nowadays it’s very difficult to catch an infection, knockwurst is a risk. The three main diseases you can contract if you eat uncooked knockwurst are toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and listeriosis. 

Listeria monocytogenes are the main bacteria that can be found in undercooked or raw knockwurst. 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. 

Symptoms include

• Náusea

• Vomiting

• Chills and fevers

• Muscle pain

• In pregnant women, it may cause flu-like symptoms with fever and chills 

How can I prepare a knockwurst that is safe to eat?

To be safe you need to heat your knockwurst to at least 160 F, you can use a thermometer or wait until it is steaming hot. You can use

• Oven: bake your knockwurst for about 10 minutes at over 160 F. 

• Boil: boil for about 2 to 3 minutes until is steaming hot

• Use a microwave: it is not the best option but heats the knockwurst for about a minute or two. Use a thermometer to be sure it is over 160 F  inside. 

• Use a grill: just make sure that is over 160 F inside. 

Want to try some recipes with knockwurst? Follow this link.

Other FAQs about Sausages that you may be interested in.

Can you eat kabana when pregnant?

Can you cook hotdogs in the air fryer?

Can you cook brats in the air fryer?

Can you cook breakfast sausage in the oven?

Conclusion

This article answered can you eat knockwurst when pregnant, what is knockwurst, is knockwurst healthy to eat when pregnant, what is the risk of eating knockwurst when pregnant and how to safely cook knockwurst to eat when pregnant.

Citation

https://www.thedailymeal.com/what-knockwurst

https://www.tasteatlas.com/knockwurst