Is It Safe To Eat Pancetta During Pregnancy?

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Pancetta is an Italian meat cut made of pork belly. This seasoned and salt-cured meat is used in several soups and pasta. If you have enjoyed eating this cut in the past and are currently skeptical since conception, here’s more on pancetta during pregnancy. The meat cut is rich in fat and proteins. However, since it is a cured and thinly sliced meat, most people consume it raw. However, during pregnancy, consuming such raw meats could increase Toxoplasmosis ListeriosisⁱAn infection spread through contaminated meat, causing fever and diarrhea. risk. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeriosis is estimated to infect 1,600 people yearly, and pregnant women are ten times more likely to get an infection than other people due to their weak immunity. Hence, in this post, we help you weigh the pros and cons of eating pancetta so you can make an informed decision to enjoy a safe and healthy pregnancy.

In This Article

What Is Pancetta?

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Pancetta is popular Italian bacon that you prepare using pork belly meat. The meat is salt-cured and spiced with black pepper and other delicious spices. Pancetta is available as a slab or a roll of thin slices with a strong flavor of pork. Pancetta is highly beneficial for maternal health and is a nutritious food to consume during pregnancy. However, many moms have questions and doubts about eating pork during pregnancy. Are these mere rumor-mongers or genuine concerns? So, let’s have a look at the health benefits and how safe it is to consume pancetta in pregnancy (1).

Health Benefits Of Pancetta During Pregnancy

1. Calorie-rich

Pregnant women can eat pancetta in moderation

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Just one serving of Italian pancetta offers about 212 calories. The meat provides you 10.5% of daily intake of calories, which is 2,000 calories. So you can have an appropriate amount of calories to regulate weight gain, have a nutritious diet, and stay healthy while expecting (2).

2. Offers proteins

You need proteins to have during prenatal care for good cell growth and cell and tissue repair. Also, proteins are essential for good growth and fetal development. Pancetta contains a high amount of proteins (3). One serving of the meat provides you with 1.5 to 2 grams of proteins. So consuming pancetta during pregnancy helps you fulfill your protein intake and meet your nutritional needs while you satisfy your craving for pancetta.

3. Ensures good fat intake

Pork meat provides a rich amount of fats that are necessary for your health and nutrition.

Just one serving of pancetta offers 22.5 grams of fats, of which 10.5 grams are monounsaturated fatsⁱFatty acids with use in the prevention of conditions such as heart disorders and high blood pressure. , 2.5 grams are polyunsaturated fatsⁱEssential fatty acids required for the proper functioning of the cells, brain and prevention of diseases , and 8 grams are saturated fatsⁱ An unhealthy dietary fat found in meat, dairy, and specific oils such as coconut and palm . Consuming one serving of pancetta helps you get more than 51% of your recommended daily intake of fat during pregnancy. So eating two servings of pancetta can help you meet an average daily recommended intake of fats while expecting. However, it is advisable to eat pancetta in moderation to prevent overload or excess weight gain during pregnancy (4).

Be watchful

The saturated pork fat in Pancetta may lead to increased cholesterol levels and put you at high risk for cardiac conditions and diabetes. Therefore, it is best to avoid eating pancetta whenever possible, especially during pregnancy (3) (5).

Can You Eat Pancetta When Pregnant?

Consume only well-cooked pancetta during pregnancy

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Yes, you can enjoy eating pancetta or Italian bacon during pregnancy only if you cook the meat fully before eating. Make sure that you cook pork to at least 160°F. You need to make sure that you cook the pork at high temperature; it does not contain any nitrites and nitrates. Your food preparation should involve cooking pancetta at a high temperature to eliminate the risk of the presence of harmful bacteria. Avoid eating any raw or undercooked pancetta since it is more likely to contain harmful bacteria and microbes that cause foodborne illness. When handling raw, uncooked pancetta, ensure you practice good kitchen hygiene. Wash your hands, kitchen counter, knives, utensils, and everything you use before and after cooking and handling it. It is advisable to cook the pork until it turns crispy and red in color. Also, examine it for spots where it is left raw all the way (5).

Quick tip

If you have bought ready-to-eat cold cured meat like pancetta, freeze it for at least four days before eating to reduce the risk of parasitic infection (6).

Pancetta is rich in saturated fat and hence is among the high-risk foods. Therefore, keep its intake limited since excess fat intake may lead to unwanted weight gain, which increases the risk of other complications like gestational diabetes. Consult your doctor before eating pancetta during pregnancy. The doctor will suggest the appropriate amount of meat that you can enjoy while expecting and prevent you from consuming an excess quantity that may prove harmful to you and your unborn baby.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is pancetta healthier than bacon?

Pancetta and bacon are made from pork belly, but pancetta contains less fat than bacon and is not smoked. Furthermore, unlike bacon, pancetta is only cured with no added flavoring agents or sugars, making it safer and healthier to consume (2).

2. Is pancetta the same as prosciutto?

No, pancetta and prosciutto are different traditional Italian cured pork products. Pancetta is made from cured pork belly, whereas prosciutto is made from pork legs.

3. How can I know when pancetta is cooked?

If the pancetta has turned brown and crisp on both sides after 10 minutes of being placed in a pan over medium-low to medium heat, it is cooked and ready to eat.

4. Is pancetta a good source of iron for pregnant women?

Pork is not mentioned as a good source of iron for pregnant women. It may provide five percent of the daily required value of iron in the non-pregnant population (4).

6. Are there any special storage instructions for pancetta during pregnancy?

Pancetta may be stored in the refrigerator (after the original package is opened) for about a week. It may last up to two weeks in the fridge if stored in an airtight container or individually wrapped in plastic film.

Pancetta is a form of salt-cured meat rich in vital nutrients, such as protein, vitamins including folic acid, and minerals. Pregnant women following healthy eating techniques and a balanced diet can safely consume well-cooked pancetta in moderation as a part of a well-balanced pregnancy diet. However, one should avoid eating raw or undercooked pancetta as it could contain harmful bacteria like Listeria, which could adversely affect maternal health and fetal health. Speak to your doctor before adding pancetta to your pregnancy diet. The doctor can tell you the appropriate quantity of pancetta expecting mothers can safely eat to enjoy its benefits. They can also inform you about the proper food safety measures you should take to avoid health risks.

Infographic: Essential Points About Pancetta In Pregnancy Diet

Pancetta is an Italian cured meat product and can have some potential benefits if eaten in moderation. However, it also contains sodium and other preservatives. Therefore, if you plan to eat pancetta during pregnancy, check out the infographic below for certain precautions to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

benefits and precautions of eating pancetta in pregnancy (infographic)

Key Pointers

Pancetta is a type of cured meat that is made from pork belly.
It is calorie-rich and contains saturated fats, protein, and poly and mono-unsaturated fats.
It should be consumed in moderation to avoid risks to the mother and baby.
Regular pancetta consumption can help regulate weight, and promote cell growth and repair.
To eliminate harmful bacteria like listeria, pancetta must be cooked at high heat until red and crispy.

Illustration: Can You Eat Pancetta When Pregnant?

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Pancetta italian bacon by Carando Inc.
https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Pancetta_italian_bacon_by_Carando_Inc._581224_nutritional_value.html?size=1+slice+%3D+20.0+g
Bacon and Food Safety.
https://extension.usu.edu/fscreate/files/2020-22-staff/FFU_Bacon_and_Food_Safety.pdf
Pancetta.
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/726110/nutrients
Vitamins and minerals in pork.
https://newyorkpork.org/all-about-pork/vitamins-and-minerals-in-pork/
What NOT to Eat During Pregnancy: Foods You Should Avoid While Pregnant and Why.
https://www.fhcsd.org/prenatal-care/what-not-to-eat-during-pregnancy-foods-to-avoid/
Food To Avoid In Pregnancy.
https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planningsearch/DisplayImage.aspx?doc=cmVjb3JkX251bWJlcj01OTUyJmZpbGVuYW1lPVxcbnMwMS0wMDI5XGZpbGVkYXRhMiRcREIwMy0wMDMwXFNoYXJlZEFwcHNcZGxnc1xQbGFuc1xQTEFOTklOR1xFUy0yOTUwXEFwcGVuZGl4IDYgVHJhZmZpYyBBc3Nlc3NtZW50LnBkZiZpbWFnZV9udW1iZXI9MjQ2JmltYWdlX3R5cGU9cGxhbm5pbmcmbGFzdF9tb2RpZmllZF9mcm9tX2Rpc2s9MDMvMTIvMjAxMyAxMzoxOTo1Mg==

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Jyoti BenjaminMS, RD, CSO, FAND, CD

Jyoti Benjamin has 25 years of experience as a clinical dietitian and currently works in Seattle. She focuses on teaching people the value of good nutrition and helping them lead healthy lives by natural means.Benjamin has a masters in Foods and Nutrition, and has been a longtime member and Fellow of AND (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) and the International Confederation of Dietetic Association.

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Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

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Lorraine TeronMSc

Lorraine is a postgraduate in Life Science from Mount Carmel College and previously worked as a freelance scientific illustrator. As a project associate and lab technician at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Lorraine received valuable insights into Covid-19, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and neuro-degenerative diseases.

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