Is it Safe to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?

Nisha is fond of chicken since her childhood. She is in her 4th month of pregnancy and cooks many types of chicken dishes on regular basis. She even likes to have chicken in different types of salads. She knows that chicken has lots of benefits during pregnancy but at the same time she wants to know if there is any health concern associated with consumption of chicken during pregnancy. In many households pregnant women are advised against eating chicken during the 1st trimester of pregnancy as it is one of the heat inducing food items. In this articleHarmful Effects of Eating Chicken during PregnancyIs it Healthy to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?Can I Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?Is it Harmful to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?Is it Good to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?Benefits of eating chicken during pregnancyHarmful Effects of Eating Chicken during PregnancyFor a pregnant woman, it is mandatory to know what she should eat and what she should not during her pregnancy period so that she remain healthy and can have healthy baby. Consumption of chicken is considered as beneficial during pregnancy but would-be mothers should be extra alert about how it is cooked.It is important that chicken used for cooking is fresh and it is cooked well. Uncooked meat may get contaminated with Listeria, a kind of bacteria. Listeria is harmful for the would-be mothers and babies both. Though cases of Listeria infection in pregnant women are rare but pregnant women are much more prone to any kind of infection as compared to non-pregnant women.Listeriosis in pregnant women can increase the risks of miscarriage, preterm delivery, newborn infection and even death of the newborn. Studies have shown that approximately 22% of pre-natal Listeriosis results in neonatal death or stillbirth.Is it Healthy to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?It is absolutely healthy to eat chicken during pregnancy because chicken is the source of varieties of nutrients like proteins, minerals and vitamins. Chickens are helpful in increasing body metabolism and also to increase energy level in the pregnant women. Chicken liver contains iron and folate so it is helpful in preventing illness associated with neural tubes in babies. Consumption of chicken helps in the cell, organ and bone development of foetus.Can I Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?Yes, of course a pregnant woman can eat chicken during pregnancy but it should be fresh and well-cooked. Raw or semi-cooked chicken can have bacterial contamination caused by Listeria. When chicken is cooked at the right temperature it kills the bacteria and provides the required nutrition to a pregnant woman.Is it Harmful to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?As such chickens do not have any harmful ingredients in them so it is considered as a safe food for the pregnant women. The risk associated with chicken is the infection caused by the bacteria Listeria which are found in contaminated chicken. When chicken is cooked at 160 0F, it is free from Listeria Contamination. During pregnancy it is advisable that would-be mothers avoid eating deli meats which are generally used in sandwiches, burgers or other instant food items. There are chances of contamination in chicken after cooking or during the processing of deli meat. So, during pregnancy, it is better for the pregnant mothers to avoid eating deli meat.Is it Good to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?Chickens get consumed in different forms. Fried chicken, chicken soup, sandwiches, burgers, salads etc. are various ways pregnant women consume chicken. Because of health benefits that chickens provide, it is good to eat chicken during pregnancy.Benefits of eating chicken during pregnancyEating chicken during pregnancy has lots of benefits. Chicken contains niacin or Vitamin B3 which plays important role in keeping the brain healthy. Chicken is a rich source of lean protein and has got nine essential amino acids in it. So, it is helpful in muscle building and is a must-to include food item in the diet chart of a pregnant woman. As chicken contains low fat, it does not cause obesity and can be safely included in the diet plan of a pregnant woman. Chicken contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acid. Chicken has low cholesterol content and contains Vitamin A and E. By consuming 1 cup of cooked chicken, a pregnant woman can have her 87% of protein requirement fulfilled. Although, most doctors do not advise against eating chicken during pregnancy, you must consult your doctor before including it in your diet as each pregnancy is different and it is better to be safe.

Harmful Effects of Eating Chicken during Pregnancy

For a pregnant woman, it is mandatory to know what she should eat and what she should not during her pregnancy period so that she remain healthy and can have healthy baby. Consumption of chicken is considered as beneficial during pregnancy but would-be mothers should be extra alert about how it is cooked.

It is important that chicken used for cooking is fresh and it is cooked well. Uncooked meat may get contaminated with Listeria, a kind of bacteria. Listeria is harmful for the would-be mothers and babies both. Though cases of Listeria infection in pregnant women are rare but pregnant women are much more prone to any kind of infection as compared to non-pregnant women.

Listeriosis in pregnant women can increase the risks of miscarriage, preterm delivery, newborn infection and even death of the newborn. Studies have shown that approximately 22% of pre-natal Listeriosis results in neonatal death or stillbirth.

Is it Healthy to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?

It is absolutely healthy to eat chicken during pregnancy because chicken is the source of varieties of nutrients like proteins, minerals and vitamins. Chickens are helpful in increasing body metabolism and also to increase energy level in the pregnant women. Chicken liver contains iron and folate so it is helpful in preventing illness associated with neural tubes in babies. Consumption of chicken helps in the cell, organ and bone development of foetus.

Can I Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?

Yes, of course a pregnant woman can eat chicken during pregnancy but it should be fresh and well-cooked. Raw or semi-cooked chicken can have bacterial contamination caused by Listeria. When chicken is cooked at the right temperature it kills the bacteria and provides the required nutrition to a pregnant woman.

Is it Harmful to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?

As such chickens do not have any harmful ingredients in them so it is considered as a safe food for the pregnant women. The risk associated with chicken is the infection caused by the bacteria Listeria which are found in contaminated chicken. When chicken is cooked at 160 0F, it is free from Listeria Contamination. During pregnancy it is advisable that would-be mothers avoid eating deli meats which are generally used in sandwiches, burgers or other instant food items. There are chances of contamination in chicken after cooking or during the processing of deli meat. So, during pregnancy, it is better for the pregnant mothers to avoid eating deli meat.

Is it Good to Eat Chicken during Pregnancy?

Chickens get consumed in different forms. Fried chicken, chicken soup, sandwiches, burgers, salads etc. are various ways pregnant women consume chicken. Because of health benefits that chickens provide, it is good to eat chicken during pregnancy.

Benefits of eating chicken during pregnancy

Eating chicken during pregnancy has lots of benefits. Chicken contains niacin or Vitamin B3 which plays important role in keeping the brain healthy. Chicken is a rich source of lean protein and has got nine essential amino acids in it. So, it is helpful in muscle building and is a must-to include food item in the diet chart of a pregnant woman.

As chicken contains low fat, it does not cause obesity and can be safely included in the diet plan of a pregnant woman. Chicken contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acid. Chicken has low cholesterol content and contains Vitamin A and E. By consuming 1 cup of cooked chicken, a pregnant woman can have her 87% of protein requirement fulfilled. Although, most doctors do not advise against eating chicken during pregnancy, you must consult your doctor before including it in your diet as each pregnancy is different and it is better to be safe.