Discover with Dalili Medical the potential risks of eating pizza during pregnancy, in addition to some special cases that may allow it. If you are pregnant, it is essential to make sure to eat a variety of healthy foods that contain essential nutrients. It is recommended that a pregnant woman consume only about 300 additional calories, to avoid unwanted weight gain during pregnancy. A pregnant woman's diet should include vegetables, fruits, milk, and nuts, in addition to other healthy foods. So, the question arises: Is pizza considered a healthy and nutritious food for pregnant women? We will review this topic in the following lines.

Can pregnant women eat pepperoni pizza?

 

We have reached the point where we answer this important question. If you suffer from a strong desire to eat hot pepperoni pizza during pregnancy, should you give in and resort to the ready-made meals menu?

First, it’s important to note that it’s highly recommended to eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet during pregnancy, including lean proteins and iron. Since pepperoni is high in salt and fat, it’s best not to overdo it during this time. However, as long as it’s cooked properly and from a reputable source, you can certainly enjoy a slice of pepperoni pizza every now and then (or more, let’s be honest).

If you’re looking for alternatives, here are some common questions to consider:

What types of deli meats are safe to eat during pregnancy?

 

Like pepperoni, there are many deli meats that are not cooked but rather cured.

It’s best to avoid cold cuts and luncheon meats during pregnancy, as bacteria can continue to grow on them even when stored in the refrigerator.

Can you eat bacon on pizza while pregnant?

 

Like your favorite spicy pepperoni, bacon is okay to eat as long as it’s cooked thoroughly.

However, it should be noted that it contains a high percentage of salt and fat, so it is preferable to eat it occasionally rather than relying on it regularly.

**Pizza Cravings and the Gender of the Fetus**

 

The sex of the newborn is determined by ultrasound starting from the fourth or fifth month, while the development of the organs begins in the third month, specifically from the ninth week to the thirteenth week.

There are some beliefs that indicate the possibility of determining the sex of the fetus through cravings, which is the tendency to eat a certain type of food in large quantities. It is believed that cravings for pizza may be a sign that the fetus is male.

It is also commonly believed that the mother tends to eat salty foods when the fetus is male, while she prefers sweets if she is pregnant with a girl. The mother often feels tired during pregnancy.

What types of pizza are suitable for pregnant women?

 

Here are some types of pizza that pregnant women can eat and enjoy:

- It is preferable to choose pizza that contains a variety of vegetables, as it provides more essential nutrients, in addition to vitamins and fiber.

- It is preferable to eat pizza made from whole wheat dough or whole grains, as it contains beneficial vitamin B.

- It is recommended to focus on pizza rich in tomatoes and important vegetables such as spinach and green peppers.

What are the diseases that it is preferable to avoid eating pizza during pregnancy?

 

- Overweight or obesity

- Gestational diabetes

- Insulin resistance

- Digestive system diseases, such as cholestasis during pregnancy.

**Benefits of pizza during pregnancy**

 

**Improving mood:** Pizza is one of the foods that contribute to improving the psychological state, as it gives pregnant women a feeling of happiness and comfort, especially when eaten fresh and hot from the oven.

**Variety of ingredients:** Pizza ingredients can be customized according to the pregnant woman's desires and available ingredients, which facilitates the preparation process. You can also use a dough rich in fiber, which enhances the digestion process.

**A complete meal:** If the pizza contains fresh vegetables and meat, it becomes a meal rich in proteins and vitamins. Its nutritional value can be enhanced by serving it with a fresh salad.

**Healthy tomato sauce:** The sauce made from fresh tomatoes is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which contributes to reducing the risk of cancer.

**Benefits of cheese:** Most types of pizza contain mozzarella cheese, which is made from pasteurized milk, which provides the calcium necessary for building bones in pregnant women.

Types of pizza that are best avoided during pregnancy

In addition to knowing the benefits and harms of pizza during pregnancy, there are some types that pregnant women should avoid to maintain their health, including:

1. **Pizza rich in cheese**: Pregnant women are advised to avoid pizza that contains large amounts of cheese, especially soft and aged types and cheese with blue veins, as these types contain listeria bacteria that may cause listeriosis, which leads to serious health problems for the fetus.

2. **Fish pizza**: Pregnant women should stay away from pizza that contains different types of fish such as oysters, mussels and shrimp. If you want to eat it, you must make sure it is cooked well at high temperatures to kill harmful bacteria and viruses.

3. **Cold and uncooked meats**: It is preferable not to eat pizza that contains cold and uncooked meats such as salami and pepperoni, as they can lead to diseases such as listeria and toxoplasmosis, which pose a risk to the health of the fetus.

**Pizza toppings and pregnancy: What can you eat and what should you pay attention to?**

Every pizza lover has his own typeA favorite of this delicious dish. Some people prefer simple versions like Margherita pizza or mushroom pizza, while others prefer to add more ingredients for a richer flavor. However, during pregnancy, you need to be more careful about what you eat. So, it is important to know which ingredients pregnant mothers should focus on when choosing a pizza.

**Mushroom pizza during pregnancy**

 

Mushrooms are a popular pizza topping in Poland, and here comes the good news: edible mushrooms are safe to eat during pregnancy. They contain few calories and are a good source of valuable vitamins and minerals such as iron. Therefore, pizza with mushrooms is a safe option during pregnancy.

However, we must keep in mind that mushrooms can be difficult to digest for some people, so it is best to eat them in moderation. However, a moderate amount of mushrooms as a pizza topping will not harm the mother or the baby. If you choose mushroom pizza during pregnancy, make sure to choose the ingredients carefully to ensure your safety and the safety of your fetus.

4 Cheese Pizza and Pregnancy

How can 4 Cheese Pizza affect pregnant women? As the name suggests, this pizza contains a variety of cheeses. Therefore, it is important to address the issue of cheese consumption during pregnancy, and what types are allowed.

Cheeses made from unpasteurized milk

Pregnant women should be especially careful when consuming products made from unpasteurized milk, as their consumption may increase the risk of contracting listeria bacteria.

Because of the above, during pregnancy, you should pay special attention to such types of cheese as:

All blue cheeses - which include the famous pizza ingredient 4 cheeses, i.e. Gorgonzola or Camembert;

Type brie cheese;

Ricotta;

Soft goat cheese.

Due to the fact that the above cheeses are often produced from unpasteurized milk, there is a risk that they may contain bacteria responsible for causing danger to the fetus (especially in the last trimester of pregnancy) Listeria. If they are added to the pizza after the dough is baked and has not been exposed to a sufficiently high temperature - this dish will not be safe for pregnant women.

Cheeses made from pasteurized milk

It is important to note that we do not need to give up all types of cheese, especially since they are the main ingredient of pizza! Cheese made from pasteurized milk is safe for pregnant women. Among these types, we find mozzarella and hard yellow cheeses such as cheddar and parmesan, which are produced using less water than soft cheeses, making them less susceptible to bacterial growth.

However, we should note that all types of cheese, in addition to other ingredients used in pizza, undergo a long baking process at high temperatures, which greatly reduces the risk of bacterial infection.

Pregnant woman's pizza with salami

Pizza lovers consider ham, chorizo, pepperoni, beef cuts, ham, or salami to be among the most popular toppings. These meats are usually added to pizza before baking, which ensures that it is cooked properly, allowing salami to be eaten on pizza even during pregnancy.

Why should it be heated? During pregnancy, a woman's body becomes more sensitive to bacteria present in foods. In the case of salami that is not exposed to high temperatures (heat treatment) during its production, there is a risk of diseases such as listeriosis, toxoplasmosis or salmonella.

**Fruits and vegetables on pizza during pregnancy**

 

Fruits and vegetables during pregnancy are an excellent source of nutrients essential for the health of the mother and the fetus. In this context, pizza prepared with selected vegetables or fruits is an effective way to get more vitamins and minerals.

It is important to pay special attention to hygiene standards during pregnancy. We must be careful to wash our hands well, in addition to ensuring that food products are clean. This also applies to the fruits and vegetables that we add to the pizza, especially if they are added after the dish is removed from the oven instead of being baked with the dough.

Other toppings for pizza during pregnancy

We know that women can enjoy pizza with mushrooms without much concern, but they should be careful when eating pizza with four types of cheese during pregnancy. Eating cooked salami on pizza from time to time and in limited quantities is not considered harmful to pregnant women. However, there are some ingredients that women should avoid eating on pizza during pregnancy.

What should be given special attention?

 

Seafood lovers should be aware that eating it during pregnancy may involve the risk of contracting various types of infections, whether parasitic, bacterial or viral. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid adding these ingredients to pizza for pregnant women, especially since we cannot always be sure that the ingredients have been cooked adequately.

As for the hot sauces and spices used in pizza, they may cause irritation to the digestive system and lead to a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, which may negatively affect your health and cause, for example, heartburn.

In addition, caution should be exercised when eating meat products such as sausages or bacon, as they may raise blood cholesterol levels and cause digestive problems such as bloating or a feeling of heaviness.

You should also be careful with toppings on pre-baked pizza, such as prosciutto, which is recommended to be avoided during pregnancy. The reason for this is that this product is smoked at low temperatures during the preparation process.

**Pregnant woman pizza: what to choose and what to pay attention to?

 

- **Dough thickness**: Due to the calorie content of the dough, it is important to note that the dough is very thick and has a high calorie content.Meal, preferably thin crust.

- **Dough type**: The healthiest option would be to choose whole wheat flour, or replace the pizza dough with a cauliflower, zucchini or sweet potato base.

- **Quality of ingredients**: It is important to choose high-quality ingredients, taking into account their source, and not forgetting the ingredients that are best avoided during pregnancy.

- **Quantity of ingredients**: The fewer the ingredients in the pizza, the fewer calories and easier to digest. Especially when adding meats such as salami. It is preferable to choose a vegetarian pizza, a thin margherita pizza, or a mushroom pizza instead of a four-cheese pizza, which is recommended to be avoided during pregnancy.

**Pizza during pregnancy: What else should you consider?**

 

If we do not decide to make a homemade pizza ourselves, grocery stores provide us with a wide range of ready-made frozen dishes, including several types of frozen pizza. And when we feel like eating pizza, we may also think about ordering it from a restaurant via delivery service. So what about these types of pizza? Can pregnant women eat frozen or pre-made pizza that has been reheated without worry?

**Frozen Pizza for Pregnant Women**

 

There are no specific contraindications to eating frozen pizza during pregnancy. However, you should check the ingredients of the pizza before purchasing it, to ensure that it does not contain ingredients that are not suitable for pregnant women. As with any other product, you should check the expiration date and ensure that the product is stored properly.

**Pizza Delivery**

In addition to frozen pizza, we sometimes resort to ordering ready-made meals from restaurants. When ordering, it is preferable to ask that all the ingredients be baked with the pizza dough at the same time. This method of preparation ensures that we reduce the risk of any potential bacteria, whether from cheese or otherwise.

**Reheating Pizza During Pregnancy**

 

Sometimes, when preparing or ordering pizza, we may not be fully aware of the amount of the portion we need, which leads to getting a very large plate. In such cases, we choose to save part of the meal for later. We know that eating fresh pizza is not a problem, but what about reheated pizza?

In general, there are no restrictions on pregnant women eating reheated pizza, provided that we ensure that it is stored properly. To ensure safety, the meal must be heated to temperatures exceeding 75 degrees Celsius. However, pregnant women should avoid eating cold pizza completely, especially if we are not aware of the amount of time that has passed since its original preparation.

**The harms of eating pizza during pregnancy**

 

**Stomach disorders and infections:** Pizza may cause stomach disorders and infections, causing heartburn and negatively affecting the digestion process. If the pizza is not cooked well in the oven, it may cause health problems for the pregnant woman.

**Listeria bacteria:** All types of cheese contain the possibility of Listeria bacteria, which may cause a rare disease similar to flu symptoms, but it greatly affects the fetus and causes serious harm.

**Pepperoni and saturated fats:** If the pizza contains pepperoni, it may be harmful due to its unhealthy saturated fat content, which increases the risk of heart disease and may lead to diabetes.

**Expired or spoiled ingredients:** Some pizza ingredients may contain expired or spoiled ingredients, which increases the risk of infection and food poisoning. Some pregnant women may also be allergic to the yeast used in the dough, which makes eating pizza unsuitable for them.

**Cleanliness of ingredients and tools:** Not washing pizza ingredients well, such as vegetables, may lead to intestinal flu and typhoid. The uncleanliness of dishes, tools, and hands of pizza makers can also negatively affect the health of the pregnant woman.

**Assorted cheese pizza**: Pizza that contains a variety of cheeses, such as the quadruple pizza, is rich in calories, which may lead to weight gain for the pregnant woman and negatively affect her health during pregnancy.

**Precautions to consider when preparing pizza**

 

After learning about the benefits and harms of pizza during pregnancy, here are some important precautions and tips for eating pizza safely:

1. **Cook pizza at a high temperature**: This helps kill germs and reduce the risk of infection, which is especially important for pregnant women.

2. **Ensure complete cooking**: Make sure that all pizza ingredients, such as meat and cheese, are well cooked before eating.

3. **Choosing the right cheese**: It is preferable to use pasteurized hard cheese such as cheddar, as it is safer to consume during pregnancy.

4. **Cooking soft cheese**: If you are using soft cheese such as mozzarella, it must be cooked well before eating.

5. **Maintaining personal hygiene**: It is essential to wash hands well before and after preparing food, which helps prevent the transmission of germs.

**Why should you avoid pizza that contains raw meat?**

 

Cold meats carry the risk of contamination with listeria bacteria, which can cause complications during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to avoid eating pizza that contains cold meats such as salami and pepperoni.

**Avoid raw shellfish**: Raw shellfish may carry the risk of infection and complications during pregnancy, so it is preferable not to eat pizza that contains shellfish.

Home-made pizza usually contains fresh eggs. If its ingredients contain raw eggs, pregnant women may be at risk of salmonella. Therefore, it is best to avoid pizza that contains ingredients that contain raw eggs.