Can You Eat Pepperoni Pizza When Pregnant?

Can you eat pepperoni pizza when pregnant?

In this article, I will answer the question “Can you eat pepperoni pizza when pregnant?’’ and explain what happens if you eat.

Yes, you can eat pepperoni pizza when pregnant. Pepperoni pizza is completely safe to eat when you are pregnant, but it is important that it is well cooked to avoid the risk of food poisoning. Despite being preserved, they are not free from the risk of contamination by bacteria and worms, which can cause serious discomfort and be a great risk for pregnant women.

What is pepperoni?

Pepperoni is a spicy Italian and American variant of salami, consisting of a mixture of pork, cured beef and a spicy flavor, caused by the use of cayenne pepper, white pepper, allspice, salt and pepper. Its red color is given by the paprika in its composition, in addition to the use of nitrates and nitrites for preservation.

Pepperoni is a food used in various preparations, such as pizzas, sandwiches, salads, pasta… And they are all very delicious. However, it is important to warn: this is not a really nutritious food, as it is considered ultra-processed.

Ultra-processed foods: They are foods modified by the industry, which go through a process of adding substances such as salt, sugar and fats, making them tastier and more preserved, but with low nutritional value. These foods are associated with the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke and obesity.

What are the risks of eating these foods while pregnant?

There are some risks associated with pregnancy and overeating ultra-processed foods such as pepperoni. These are some of them:

Excess fat in pepperoni can affect a woman’s weight, causing her to gain more weight than allowed and develop obesity. Obesity is very dangerous for pregnancy, as it is associated with diseases such as hypertension, eclampsia and preeclampsia, which can lead to the death of the baby.
The nitrates and nitrites present in pepperoni to increase shelf life are also carcinogenic substances, that is, they are associated with the risk of developing various types of cancer for pregnant women, which is very dangerous. The spices present in pepperoni can also affect the mother, causing symptoms such as nausea, nausea and discomfort in the abdomen.
Pepperoni contains a high sodium content in its composition. Excessive consumption of salt is extremely dangerous for pregnancy, causing risks to the baby and the placenta, as well as increasing blood pressure.

How to eat pepperoni in a healthy way?

There are a few alternatives that a pregnant woman can adopt if she has a frequent craving for pepperoni. You can look for a more natural pepperoni in the supermarket, such as those that do not have nitrate and nitrite in their composition, lower fat and salt content. This information is present on the product label.

There are also vegan pepperoni. That’s right! Several restaurants and markets already sell alternatives to traditional pepperoni, making this type of food with completely vegan ingredients. This is a great alternative, as these types of pepperoni are healthier and taste very close to regular pepperoni.

And you can also make a pepperoni pizza at home. This is a good alternative and not too difficult. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients: 1 cup tomato and basil sauce; 1 package pre-baked whole wheat thin Italian pizza dough; ¼ cup turkey pepperoni slices (about 24); 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese.

How to cook: Spread the tomato and basil pasta sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Top with half of the pepperoni slices. Sprinkle it with cheese. Top with the remaining pepperoni. Bake the pizza at 450° directly on the oven rack for 11 to 12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted. Cut into 6 slices. Serve immediately.

Nutritional information

Per serving: 260 calories; fat 9.5g; saturated fat 3.9g; monofat 2.1g; polyfat 0.7g; protein 19.2g; carbohydrates 26.9g; 4g fiber; cholesterol 40 mg; iron 2mg; sodium 861mg; calcium 280mg.

How should a pregnant woman be fed during the day?

You already know that eating pepperoni pizza is not a problem, as long as it is something punctual, without exaggeration. It is important that, even with intense desire, the pregnant woman has balance and does not eat a whole pizza, for example.

Feeding during pregnancy should be as simple as possible. The mother should always prioritize eating natural and unprocessed foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruits. Meat, eggs, cereals and seeds are also important. Despite the desires that may exist, the expectant mother must be careful with her child.

Other FAQs about Pizza that you may be interested in.

Can marinara sauce be used as pizza sauce?

Can You Use Pizza Crust Yeast For Making Bread?

Do I have to preheat the oven for pizza?

Conclusion

In this article, I answered the question “Can you eat pepperoni pizza when pregnant?’’ and explained what are the dangers of eating pepperoni in excess, how to eat healthier and what the diet should be like while pregnant.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on this subject.