Is Alfredo Sauce Safe During Pregnancy? Let’s Find Out!
You may look at an Italian restaurant’s menu and start craving alfredo sauce. But, while alfredo pasta is on the menu, you may wonder whether alfredo sauce is safe during pregnancy! It’s safe as long as the ingredients don’t include raw eggs!
Pregnancy is a time to cherish and giving in to your cravings is okay. But, at the same time, you must ensure what you are eating or drinking this time is safe for you and your baby. Read on for more information.
What Is Alfredo Sauce?
Alfredo sauce is a classic creamy sauce that’s common in pasta dishes. You may have heard about alfredo pasta and may even love it.
The ingredients include a bit of butter, parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. In addition, some people can add garlic, salt, and pepper to add flavor.
Some people may also add egg yolks, depending on the recipe. You can prepare alfredo sauce at home or buy it from the stores.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a 100-gram portion of the dry alfredo-mix sauce consists of the following:
- Protein 15.3 g
- Calcium 467 mg
- Iron 0.94 mg
- Magnesium 32 mg
- Potassium 254 mg
- Phosphorus 415 mg
- Copper 0.064 mg
- Zinc 1.49 mg
- Sodium 2590 mg
- Manganese 0.054 mg
- Niacin 2.07 mg
- Thiamin 0.156 mg
- And more!
Alfredo sauce seems high in nutrients and contains vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and more.
Of course, it’s best to know the nutrients in a sauce or any other food. It helps you decide whether it’s worth trying and buying!
When expecting a child, you need to be aware of the ingredients in the alfredo sauce recipe. When you doubt a particular ingredient, it would be best to discuss with your doctor whether it’s safe!
Also, always read the instructions and ingredients on the bottle if you buy the alfredo sauce from the store.
Is It Safe to Eat Alfredo Sauce During Pregnancy?
Generally, it’s safe for pregnant women to eat alfredo sauce during pregnancy as long as it doesn’t contain raw eggs. You can purchase the store-bought alfredo sauce that’s safe for the consumption of pregnant ladies.
Mostly there are no eggs in most of the recipes, but you never know. It never hurts to be safe and check the ingredients in advance.
On the other hand, if you are preparing the alfredo sauce at home, you can control the ingredients. So, you must ensure you are not using raw eggs. The preparation process needs to be top-notch, and where you prepare the food must be neat and clean. You don’t want to take any chances.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnant women must maintain a well-balanced diet during pregnancy. They need to avoid certain foods, such as raw eggs. There is a risk of exposure to Salmonella because of the raw eggs. The homemade mayonnaise and many other recipes may include raw eggs, so avoiding it would be better!
A lot depends on your recipe. So, as long as your recipe contains safe ingredients for pregnant women, you can eat the alfredo sauce.
How to Prevent Foodborne Illness or Sickness During Pregnancy?
While pregnancy is a time to prepare for the big journey of parenthood, you also need to be wary of the food you eat and the environment in which you prepare the food.
Whether preparing the food of homemade version or ordering from a restaurant, you must ensure it’s safe for your consumption.
The place where you cook has to be thoroughly clean. When considering the restaurants during pregnancy for dinner, select the best in your area. You can check the reviews to understand the ambiance and the place’s cleanliness.
Let’s say you want chicken alfredo pasta; you must know the ingredients. Plus, the chicken must be cooked thoroughly.
You must wash your hands and the surface where you prepare the food often. You must cook food to the right temperature and also store it properly. For example, the minimum internal temperature for all poultry is 165 ℉, and for the eggs is 160 ℉.
Cleanliness is important to prevent foodborne illness. So, when preparing the food, you must maintain cleanliness.
Talk to Your Doctor:
If you have any concerns or doubts about your health or overall well-being during pregnancy, it’s best to talk to your doctor about it. Your doctor knows what’s best for your health during this time.
For example, if you feel sick after consuming alfredo sauce or other food, contact your doctor immediately. It’s best to be on the safe side.
FAQs
Can you eat tartar sauce during pregnancy?
Yes, but the store-bought one is safe. The main ingredient of the tartar sauce is mayonnaise, which is why you need to ensure that there are no raw eggs while preparing the mayonnaise for this amazing sauce.
Why avoid raw eggs during pregnancy?
Raw eggs carry the risk of Salmonella. Getting sick during pregnancy won’t be ideal. You need healthy nutrients in your body. Food poisoning can make you weak. So, always ensure that the recipes you try at home or the sauce you buy from the store contain pasteurized eggs.
Is white sauce and alfredo sauce the same?
Italians often use heavy cream, butter, parmesan cheese, and sometimes garlic to make Alfredo sauce. It is a rich sauce that is quite popular. French white sauce, sometimes called Béchamel sauce, is a kind of sauce. A roux (flour and butter) and cream are the ingredients.
Wrapping It Up
You can eat alfredo sauce when pregnant, but it must not contain raw eggs in the ingredients. If you buy it from the store, check the list of ingredients. If you prepare the homemade alfredo sauce, ensure you do so in a clean environment.