If you’re pregnant during the time of the year when the weather is warm, chances are you’ll be invited to a backyard barbecue or you’ll even want to throw one yourself. However, before you enjoy all the foods that are often on the menu for a cookout, it’s important to know which items may pose a risk for you during pregnancy. That doesn’t mean you don’t get to eat any of your favorite entrees and side dishes at a barbecue, though. You just have to know what to look out for.
Deli Meats and Hot Dogs
Consuming these foods increases your risk of being exposed to Listeria, a bacteria that can lead to a rare and very serious infection. Listeria has also been connected to birth defects, miscarriages and stillborn birth. If you want to enjoy cold cuts or a hot dog at a barbecue, make sure that the meats are cooked to at least 165 F. As a good rule to follow, you can tell whether the hot dog is done if it’s steaming when you cut into it. If you get to the party and there’s already a tray of cooked hot dogs on the serving table, warm your hot dog in the microwave before eating it to make sure it’s thoroughly cooked.
Pasta Salad and Potato Salad
If these barbecue side dishes are left out in the sun for extended periods of time, they could carry Listeria. If you get to a cookout and don’t know how long the potato or pasta salad has been on the table, it’s best to pass. These foods shouldn’t be out for longer than two hours if the temperature is below 90 F, and no longer than an hour if the temperature is above 90 F.
Burgers
If you like your burgers medium-rare, you should make sure the beef is cooked a little longer when you’re pregnant. During pregnancy, you have a weaker immune system, which means it’s easier to get food poisoning. In addition to Listeria, you could also be exposed to harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli when you consume meat that has not been fully cooked. If you get sick as a result of eating rare or medium-rare meat, this could lead to dehydration and could bring on premature contractions. Make sure your burger is well-done and use a thermometer if possible to see that the meat has an internal temperature of 160 F. Make sure that all cooked burgers are placed on a clean plate so that there’s no cross contamination with uncooked meat.
Sprouted Veggies
If you’re attending a barbecue with a variety of healthy options like alfalfa or bean sprouts for salads or burger toppings, you should probably skip the sprouts if you’re pregnant. Sprouts grow in damp environments, which are also breeding grounds for bacteria like E. coli and salmonella.
BBQ Chicken
This is a staple at most cookouts, and just like with burgers, you have to make sure your chicken is cooked all the way through in order to enjoy it safely. Chicken should be at least 165 F before you consume it. Even if barbecue chicken is one of your favorites, keep in mind that the journal Nutrition warns that eating lots of barbecued meat could cause low birth weight, since grilled meat contains PAHs or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. PAH compounds occur when meat is cooked at high temperatures, and these could affect your baby’s development. You can avoid being overly exposed to PAHs by cooking your chicken in a skillet or in the oven before placing it on the grill. This way, you won’t have to grill it as long and can still get the smoky barbecue taste you’re craving.
Ice Cream
Finally, enjoying some homemade ice cream for dessert while at a barbecue is pretty common, and may be one of the treats you’re looking forward to. However, be aware that some ice creams could make it easier for you to get salmonella. Custard-based ice creams are made using raw eggs, and even chilling the ice cream won’t eliminate the bacteria. If you want to add some whipped cream to your ice cream, be sure it’s pasteurized and not raw to reduce the chances of bacterial contamination.
Healthy Fiesta Salad
Ingredients:
2 C chopped romaine lettuce
1 C canned black beans (rinsed, drained)
1/2 of 1 medium baked (or microwaved) sweet potato (cubed, with skin)
1/3 C diced tomato
1/4 C frozen and thawed corn kernels
1/4 C reduced fat shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp chopped garlic
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Top chopped romaine lettuce with black beans, sweet potato, diced tomato and corn kernels.
To make the lime vinaigrette combine lime juice, olive oil and garlic in a bowl or shaker. Add salt and pepper to taste and top off salad. Top off salad with a sprinkle of shredded Mexican blend cheese.
Pumpkin Spice Parfait
Ingredients:
1/3 C canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp of maple syrup
1 C of nonfat plain yogurt
4 tbsp granola
2 tbsp raisins
4 tsp chopped cashews
Directions:
Stir canned pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and maple syrup into nonfat plain yogurt. Put half of the pumpkin-yogurt mixture into a mug or glass, top with 2 tablespoons of granola, 1 tablespoon of raisins and 2 tablespoons of chopped cashews. Pour on remaining yogurt mixture and top with remaining granola, raisins and chopped cashews.
Pork and Pineapple Kebobs
Ingredients:
4 oz of pork tenderloin or boneless top loin roast
1/2 lime, juiced
1/2 clove of chopped garlic
1/4 C pineapple juice
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 of a medium red bell pepper
1/4 of a medium onion
1/2 C pineapple chunks
1/2 C cooked bulgur wheat
2 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Cut pork tenderloin or boneless top loin roast into 1/2-inch pieces.
Create marinade in a zip-lock bag by combining lime juice, chopped garlic, pineapple juice and olive oil. Add cut meat pieces to marinade and set in refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Cut red bell pepper and onion into 1-inch pieces. Thread meat, pepper, onion and pineapple chunks, onto 2 skewers.
Grill on a medium high flame until meat is cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Serve over cooked bulgur wheat tossed with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients:
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
olive oil
1 red chili, finely chopped
1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
2oz dark brown sugar
1¾ fl oz dark soy sauce
10 fl oz tomato ketchup
salt and pepper
Directions:
Fry the onion and garlic in olive oil with the chili, fennel seeds and sugar.
Add the soy sauce and ketchup and season with salt and pepper.
Bring to the boil and simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavors. Use as a dip or to coat spare ribs, chicken or sausages.
Pork and Apple Burger
Ingredients:
1lb 10oz pork mince
3oz fresh breadcrumbs
2 tsp finely chopped fresh sage, or 1 tsp dried sage
1 sweet apple, coarsely grated
2 spring onions, finely chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Burger Condiments
4 burger buns
1 head Little Gem lettuce, leaves separated
2 tomatoes, thickly sliced
½ small red onion, cut into rings
English mustard, to taste
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking tray with foil.
Place pork, breadcrumbs, sage, apple, onions, egg and salt and pepper into a bowl. Mix and combine thoroughly.
Divide the mixture into multiple burger shaped patties.
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan until medium hot, then add the burgers and fry on each side for 45-60 seconds until just browned. Lift out and place onto the lined baking tray.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until cooked through to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
Serve the burgers in buns with mustard, lettuce, tomato and onion and mustard, or other condiment favorites.
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