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Bratwurst is a sausage usually cooked in beer or broth. It comes from traditional German cuisine. The meat sausage is generally comprised of pork and, in rare cases, veal or beef. When consuming Bratwurst during pregnancy, note that meat, if undercooked, is a source of infection-causing bacteria. However, if properly cooked, meat may provide for the body’s increased nutritional demands during this time. In this post, we tell you whether or not it is safe for pregnant women to eat Bratwurst, what its maternal health benefits are, and what its side effects are.
Key Pointers
- Pork, veal, or beef is used to make Bratwurst, a German sausage that is typically cooked in beer.
- Pregnant women can safely consume moderate amounts of Bratwurst that is cooked without beer.
- To minimize the risk of foodborne illness, it is recommended to cook Bratwurst until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Bratwurst consumption can provide numerous benefits such as boosting immunity, providing B vitamins, and offering high amounts of protein.
- Consuming raw or undercooked Bratwurst can increase the risk of infection, miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature delivery
Is It Safe To Eat Bratwurst While Pregnant?
Yes! It is safe to eat bratwurst during pregnancy. However, you need to cook it thoroughly and avoid cooking it in beer. According to the US CDC, ground meats such as pork need to be cooked at an internal temperature of 160°F to kill germs and any bacterial contamination (1). So, when cooking bratwurst, you need to heat it to a temperature of at least 165°F to avoid any health risks.
Raw or undercooked bratwurst sausage may contain harmful bacteria like Listeria, which can cause serious complications during pregnancy. Listeria leads to muscle aches, nausea, fever, and headaches. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, one in six of all Listeria cases is estimated to occur in pregnant women (2). Therefore, make sure to avoid raw or undercooked bratwurst while pregnant, and cook the sausage at a high temperature to get rid of bacteria. Also, have a word with your doctor before you eat bratwurst during pregnancy.
Experts sayNutritional Value Of Bratwurst
The following table below shows the major nutrients present in 100g of cooked pork bratwurst as per the USDA National Nutrient Database (3).
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy (Kcal) | 333 |
| Protein (g) | 13.7 |
| Total lipid (fat) (g) | 29.2 |
| Calcium, Ca (mg) | 28 |
| Magnesium, Mg (mg) | 21 |
| Potassium, K (mg) | 348 |
| Sodium, Na (mg) | 846 |
| Choline, total (mg) | 94 |
Health Benefits Of Eating Bratwurst During Pregnancy
Here are some of the health benefits of eating bratwurst while pregnant:
1. Boosts immunity
Bratwurst is a rich source of the mineral selenium, accounting for about 39.7µg per 100g of the sausage (3). A healthy selenium intake will boost your immunity during pregnancy. Thus, eating bratwurst can improve thyroid function and immune response (4).
2. Provides sufficient calories
Just 100 gms of bratwurst provides a whopping 333 kilocalories (3). Since pregnant women require an extra 340 calories per day from the second trimester, eating bratwurst can offer pregnant women the necessary amounts of calories even if they consume a limited amount of the dish (5).
3. Supplies proteins
Proteins are extremely important for you and your baby during pregnancy. Since every 100 gms of cooked pork bratwurst provides 13.7g of protein (3), eating the sausage during pregnancy can help you fulfill the protein requirement of a total of 60 g/day and ensure good growth and development of your unborn baby (6).
4. Contains B vitamins
Bratwurst is also rich in vitamin B6 (0.327mcg/100g of bratwurst) and vitamin B12 (0.73µg/100g of bratwurst) (3). Both vitamins are quintessential during pregnancy. Vitamin B12 helps prevent the risk of iron deficiency or anemia while you are expecting. Vitamin B6 helps boost your immunity and promotes the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. B vitamins are vital nutrients for the development of your unborn baby’s brain and nervous system (7).
Side-Effects Of Eating Bratwurst During Pregnancy
It is safe to eat well-cooked Bratwurst during pregnancy, but eating raw or undercooked Bratwurst can harm you and the baby as it may be contaminated with bacteria.
Potential side effects of eating undercooked or raw meat, which could be contaminated with pathogens, include infections (2). Severe infections themselves may increase the risk of other issues such as miscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth. Cooking Bratwurst can help eliminate pathogens. Remember not to cook Bratwurst in beer since alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy.Besides the risk of infections, one has to note that Bratwurst is a highly processed sausage (8). Therefore, it may increase the risk of gestational diabetes, excess weight gain, and cardiovascular diseases if consumed in excess, particularly if combined with a high-calorie diet (9).
Experts sayFrequently Asked Questions
1. Is bratwurst healthier than hot dogs?
Bratwurst may be healthier than hot dogs during pregnancy as it provides more calories and protein, which are beneficial (12).
2. What is the difference between a sausage and a bratwurst?
Sausage is ground beef, pork, veal, or chicken and is available in fresh and dried varieties. It is usually sold in casings or linked form. Bratwurst is specifically made from pork or veal. It is sold in linked form. However, food safety is an important factor to be considered when consuming sausage or bratwurst during pregnancy.
3. Can consuming Bratwurst during pregnancy lead to gestational diabetes?
Consuming too much Bratwurst during pregnancy can lead to excessive weight gain, increasing the risk of gestational diabetes (13). Hence, pregnant women should incorporate various nutritious foods into their regular diet to maintain a balance.
4. What types of sausages should I avoid during pregnancy?
Avoid raw or undercooked sausages and those containing certain ingredients like beer or unpasteurized cheese while pregnant.
5. How can I ensure bratwurst is safe to eat?
Always cook bratwurst to an internal temperature of at least 165°F and consult with your healthcare provider if unsure.
It is safe to eat bratwurst during pregnancy, provided it is properly cooked, and the recipe does not contain beer. Eating cooked meat may fulfill your nutritional requirements and provide sufficient energy. However, eating undercooked meat may lead to adverse health conditions. So, bratwurst consumption during pregnancy may enhance your immunity, provide proteins, and give optimum vitamin B12. However, before including it in your diet, ensure it is cooked correctly to avoid problems such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor before eating bratwurst.
Infographic: Benefits And Safety Measures Of Bratwurst Intake During Pregnancy
Bratwurst is a type of sausage that can be a tasty option for pregnant women looking to add protein to their diet. However, taking certain precautions when consuming bratwurst or any other type of sausage while pregnant is important. Learn the potential benefits of including bratwurst in a pregnancy diet and the precautions to take. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Is It Safe To Eat Bratwurst While Pregnant?
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Discover the answers to the most asked questions about German Bratwurst! Learn about its rich history, discover its key ingredients, and master the art of cooking it to perfection.
References
- About Four Steps to Food Safety.
https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/prevention/index.html - Listeria (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be).
https://www.fda.gov/food/health-educators/listeria-food-safety-moms-be - Bratwurst, pork, cooked.
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171620/nutrients - Alicja Hubalewska-Dydejczyk et al.; (2019); Pregnancy, thyroid, and the potential use of selenium.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7033058/ - Nutrition During Pregnancy.
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy - 19 Protein and Amino Acids.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235221/ - Roles of Vitamin B in Pregnancy.
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/vitamin-b-pregnancy/ - Processed Meat (Sausages, Ham, Bacon, Hot Dogs, Salami).
https://www.aicr.org/cancer-prevention/food-facts/processed-meat/ - Alessandro Leone et al.; (2021); Pre-Gestational Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods and Risk of Gestational Diabetes in a Mediterranean Cohort. The SUN Project.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8308322/ - About Trichinellosis.
https://www.cdc.gov/trichinellosis/about/ - Listeria During Pregnancy.
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-concerns/listeria-during-pregnancy/ - A Guide to Hot Dog and Sausage Nutrition.
https://hot-dog.org/resources/Hot-Dog-and-Sausage-Nutrition-Guide - Managing your weight with gestational diabetes
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/gestational-diabetes/managing-your-weight-gestational-diabetes
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