Pregnancy Guide to Thanksgiving

• Posted on 21 October 2019
• 0

Being pregnant during Thanksgiving can either be a blessing or … not so much. It really depends on where you are at during the pregnancy. 

Let’s face it, the best thing about Thanksgiving is the food. If Thanksgiving is a family tradition for you and you’re pregnant this year, you might have a lot of questions. What can I eat? What should I avoid? Is it okay to have a drink for toasts? How do I make sure I don’t overdo it? 

To help ease your worries, we put together a short guide to one of our favorite holidays that will walk you through the Do’s and Don’ts!

To Eat or Not to Eat

We aren’t going to tell you not to eat the turkey, but if you aren’t normally involved in the cooking you might want to make sure the cooks know to roast the bird fully, so it is safe for you and the baby. It’s recommended that the turkey is between 160 – 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Unfortunately, we can’t recommend that you eat the stuffing. We know it’s one of the best parts of the meal, but stuffing cooked inside a turkey doesn’t get hot enough to kill off the bacteria. So, if you absolutely love stuffing, there’s good news! Just throw some in a separate pan and cook to 165 degrees. 

In general, making sure the vegetables are washed, not eating any raw eggs or food (this includes custards, mousses, and homemade ice cream), and not eating any cold meat (so reheat any leftovers and avoid the deli!) are good habits to get into during pregnancy.

Drinks to Avoid

Say goodbye to eggnog for a while; even if Uncle Mike didn’t spike it this year, eggnog contains raw eggs and can be bad for your health. 

Apple cider is another drink to be careful of. Unpasteurized cider can expose you and/or the baby to salmonella, so unless you find one that is pasteurized, it is best to avoid ciders. 

Alcohol. Enough said? 

General Tips & Tricks

1. Stay hydrated. 

2. Be careful how many you eat for – Thanksgiving gives us all an excuse to stuff our tummies to the limit, but did you know that digestion slows during pregnancy? Eating too much can make you prone to heartburn and other digestive discomfort. 

3. Avoid extra sodium. 

4. Bland foods are better in the beginning – if you’re only in your first trimester, sometimes food is the last thing you want to see or smell. Try just eating the potatoes or simple pastas, they can be easier on you!

5. Don’t do too much; delegate tasks if you’re hosting to help with any fatigue.