How much chicken Should a pregnant woman eat a day?

Q: How much meat does a pregnant woman need?

Its recommended that pregnant women should eat at least five ounces of legumes and lean meat daily. This adds up to two three-ounce servings of fish, poultry or meat. Pregnant women who are vegetarians can consume enough protein by eating low fat dairy, tofu, nuts and beans.

Well-cooked chicken and other poultry are safe to eat while you’re pregnant, as long as they’re still hot. But you should avoid cold cooked chicken and processed chicken meat from the deli.

Table of Contents Show

Eating Chicken During Pregnancy
Is It Safe to Eat Chicken During Pregnancy?
Harmful Effects of Eating Chicken
How much chicken can I eat pregnant?
Can I eat chicken daily during pregnancy?
How much should a pregnant woman eat in a day?
How much meat does a pregnant woman need?

Chicken is a good source of protein during pregnancy. About 100g of lean chicken will give you one of your recommended 3.5 daily servings of protein. But if it’s not thoroughly cooked and eaten while hot, it can be contaminated with harmful bacteria.

Raw and undercooked chicken, turkey and other poultry can carry salmonella. These bacteria can cause salmonellosis food poisoning. Symptoms of salmonellosis include nausea, vomiting, tummy cramps, diarrhoea, fever and headache. In rare cases, the illness may even cause miscarriage.

Cooking chicken and other poultry until they reach 71 degrees C in the thickest part kills bacteria, making the meat safe to eat. The juices should run clear when you cut into the thickest part.

If you let cooked chicken, turkey or other poultry cool before you eat it, though, it can become contaminated with listeria bacteria. The cold chicken used in sandwich bars may also be contaminated with listeria. Listeriosis infection is a mild illness for you, but it can be very harmful to your baby. It can even cause miscarriage or stillbirth.

You can store leftover cooked chicken and other poultry in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Re-heating it until it’s piping hot throughout should kill the bacteria, making it safe to eat.

If you buy a hot, barbecued or roast chicken, either eat it immediately, or refrigerate it and heat it again just before serving. And steer clear of any stuffing, unless it was cooked separately and is thoroughly hot.

Processed chicken meat, such as the slices you can buy at the deli counter, can also be contaminated with listeria bacteria. So it’s best to avoid it, unless you cook it and eat it while it’s still hot.

Find out whether it’s safe to eat other meats during pregnancy.

Megan Rive is a communication, content strategy and project delivery specialist. She was Babycenter editor for six years.

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Eating Chicken During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is important for the mother to ensure a balanced diet for the well-being of her baby. There are many physical changes that take place in the body during pregnancy that warrant a change in dietary habits. It is, therefore, essential to know what food items can be included in the diet and what should be avoided. Chicken is one of the foods recommended to be consumed by a pregnant woman, as it is a good source of protein and it provides other essential vitamins and minerals.

Is It Safe to Eat Chicken During Pregnancy?

Chicken is a highly nutritious food that is packed with proteins and nine essential amino acids – both of which are the building blocks of muscles. Chicken has low fat content and does not cause obesity, making it a rich source of necessary nutrients for a pregnant woman.

It is important for the chicken consumed by pregnant women to be well-cooked. Raw, uncooked chicken should be avoided as it can be contaminated by a bacteria called Listeria. Heating the chicken above 160 degrees Fahrenheit can kill the bacteria, making chicken safe for consumption.

Chicken is packed with lean protein and other important vitamins and minerals. Eating chicken during early pregnancy will provide the necessary nourishment to aid the healthy development of the baby in the womb.

Following are some more benefits of eating chicken during pregnancy:

Chicken is a rich source of niacin or vitamin B3, which stimulates brain development and keeps the brain healthy.
Chicken contains nine essential amino acids that provide the necessary support for muscle building and strengthening.
Chicken is low in fat content. It provides important nutrients and prevents the build-up of waste fat. Chicken should be consumed without the skin to lower the fat content.
The consumption of 100 g of chicken per day fulfils 50% of the daily protein requirements of a pregnant woman.
Chicken is a rich source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and is low in cholesterol content.
Chicken liver is a good source of the vitamin choline. It helps in brain and memory function of babies in the early years after birth.
Chicken liver also contains folate, which helps prevent neural tube defects in babies.
Chicken contains vitamin A and E, selenium, and thiamine. These vitamins and minerals have antioxidant properties that promote metabolism and boost energy levels.
Chicken supplies the body with iron and zinc, which help in the development of new cells. The iron present in chicken is easily absorbed by the body.

These nutrients assist in the development of organs, cells, and bones of the baby. Chicken provides protection from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cholesterol, and heart ailments.

100 grams of cooked chicken meat is the recommended daily intake for a pregnant woman.

Here are some delicious ways you can enjoy eating chicken during pregnancy:

1. You can pan-cook some skinless, boneless chicken breast and add it to your salad for some much-needed protein.

2. You can cook delicious chicken curry and consume it with rice, rotis, or bread.

3. You can mix cooked, shredded chicken with some homemade mayonnaise and use it as a delicious filling in a sandwich.

4. You can boil the chicken with some spices and consume it in the form of healthy soup.

5. If you feel like experimenting, you can make minced chicken patties at home and treat yourself to a delicious, homemade grilled chicken burger.

Harmful Effects of Eating Chicken

Chicken does not have any harmful substance or mineral that is unsuitable for a pregnant woman and is considered to be a safe food during pregnancy.

The only risk associated with chicken is the infection-causing bacteria called Listeria. It is found in contaminated chicken, and it causes an infection known as Listeriosis. Listeriosis in pregnant women increases the risk of preterm delivery, miscarriages, infection in the newborn, or even premature death. As per studies, 22% of pre-natal listeriosis cases result in neonatal deaths.

The cases of Listeria infections in pregnant women are not common. However, pregnant women are more prone to any disease or infection than women who aren’t pregnant.

This bacteria cannot survive in temperatures higher than 160 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why it is advisable to cook the chicken above this temperature before eating it, in order to eliminate the bacteria. A pregnant woman should only consume well-cooked chicken and avoid the consumption of raw or semi-cooked chicken.

Mothers-to-be should also avoid deli meat that is used in the preparation of sandwiches, burgers, and other instant food items. This is because there are high chances that the chicken has been contaminated during the processing of the deli meat.

It is best to consult your doctor before deciding to include any food item in your diet at the time of pregnancy.

Resources and References: Baby Med

Also Read: Consuming Fish during Pregnancy

How much chicken can I eat pregnant?

Chicken is a good source of protein during pregnancy. About 100g of lean chicken will give you one of your recommended 3.5 daily servings of protein. But if it's not thoroughly cooked and eaten while hot, it can be contaminated with harmful bacteria.

Can I eat chicken daily during pregnancy?

100 grams of cooked chicken meat is the recommended daily intake for a pregnant woman. Here are some delicious ways you can enjoy eating chicken during pregnancy: 1. You can pan-cook some skinless, boneless chicken breast and add it to your salad for some much-needed protein.

How much should a pregnant woman eat in a day?

For most normal-weight pregnant women, the right amount of calories is: About 1,800 calories per day during the first trimester. About 2,200 calories per day during the second trimester. About 2,400 calories per day during the third trimester.

How much meat does a pregnant woman need?

It's recommended that pregnant women should eat at least five ounces of legumes and lean meat daily. This adds up to two three-ounce servings of fish, poultry or meat. Pregnant women who are vegetarians can consume enough protein by eating low fat dairy, tofu, nuts and beans.