Can you eat coleslaw when pregnant? Best Guide

During pregnancy, cold-prepared meals like coleslaw and potato salad can be confusing.

Can you eat coleslaw when pregnant?

We checked the safety guidelines for foods like coleslaw and potato salad. These foods are popular in many countries.

Coleslaw Salad – What Is It Made Of?

Coleslaw salad is a popular side dish that is often served with sandwiches, burgers, and other main dishes. It is made from shredded cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables, mixed with a dressing.

The coleslaw dressing usually consists of mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and other seasonings.

However, there are also non-mayonnaise coleslaw dressings available, such as vinaigrette, yogurt-based dressings, and Asian-inspired dressings.

If you want to make homemade coleslaw, you can start by shredding cabbage and carrots using a sharp knife or a food processor.

You can also add other vegetables, such as red onion, bell peppers, and celery, for added flavor and texture.

For the dressing, you can mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper, or try other variations, such as adding mustard, honey, or hot sauce.

It is important to note that pregnant women should be cautious when eating coleslaw, especially if it contains raw eggs or mayonnaise that have been left out at room temperature for too long.

It is recommended to opt for non-mayonnaise dressings or to make sure that the mayonnaise used is pasteurized and fresh.

So, Can I eating coleslaw When Pregnant?

The safety of coleslaw salad’s ingredients determines whether it’s safe to eat during pregnancy. It’s not recommended to eat pre-packaged salads, including coleslaw, while pregnant.

This includes salads bought from stores or marketplaces.

Listeria is common in prepared meals cold dishes like coleslaw and potato salad. This is because it likes environments with high water content, low acidity, and refrigeration.

Coleslaw is typically eaten cold or uncooked. Unlike other salads, heat cannot kill germs in coleslaw. Therefore, it’s best to avoid it.

Coleslaw salads are safe during pregnancy if they are pasteurized and made with safe components.

If you make or buy a side salad with fresh mayonnaise-based salad dressing, choose pasteurized eggs to reduce the risk of salmonella.

Can Pregnant Women Consume Store-Bought Coleslaw?

During pregnancy, it’s best to avoid pre-prepared and other cold salads and meals because they promote bacterial growth.

Coleslaw is a cold salad that can’t be heated to kill the bacteria, so it’s not recommended to eat store-bought coleslaw, especially in large quantities.

It’s not recommended to eat pre-made salads from shops or supermarkets when pregnant. This can help reduce the risk of getting sick during pregnancy.

Pregnancy weakens the immune system, making it important to avoid health risks. Store-bought coleslaw should be avoided to protect both mother and baby.

Can Expectant Women Eat Coleslaw At A Restaurant?

When it comes to coleslaw, caution is necessary whether in a restaurant or store-bought. This means resisting the temptation to order coleslaw in a restaurant, despite your cravings.

Avoid eating KFC eat coleslaw while pregnant if you want to reduce your chances of health problems. This restaurant coleslaw is not recommended during pregnancy.

Do not eat coleslaw, even if the commercial mayonnaise only uses pasteurized eggs. Packaged coleslaw has high moisture, which can lead to listeria monocytogenes growth.

What About Homemade Coleslaw In Pregnancy?

If you like coleslaw, you can make it at home. The same goes for salads. It a delicious salad that’s a safe choice.

Eating homemade versions of this salad is fine, but there are some things to keep in mind.

Ensure the vegetables in the coleslaw are thoroughly cleaned and use pasteurized mayonnaise. Don’t store homemade salads alone in the fridge for too long after preparation.

To know how much coleslaw is safe during pregnancy, consult your doctor. Even safe meals should not be consumed excessively while expecting.

Overindulging can turn the best choice into the worst, so be mindful of your portions.

Reasons Why Pregnant Women Should Avoid Coleslaw

Pregnant women should avoid coleslaw for several reasons.

1. Listeriosis

Doctors advise against eating coleslaw during pregnancy due to the risk of pregnant woman developing listeriosis. This illness is caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which can be found in coleslaw.

Pregnant women have a 14 times higher risk of contracting the virus. Severe cases of listeriosis can harm the placenta and increase the risk of miscarriage.

Listeria can be present in coleslaw. Boiling can eliminate bacteria, but coleslaw is frequently consumed cold, increasing the possibility of infection.

2. Mayonnaise Made From Unpasteurized Eggs

Coleslaw with pasteurized egg mayonnaise is safe to eat. But if the mayonnaise is made from raw eggs, pregnant women should avoid it, even in coleslaw.

Homemade mayonnaise in coleslaw can cause Staphylococcus aureus and salmonella infections. These illnesses can compromise your health and that of your unborn baby.

3. Unsafe Storage

Supermarkets have large open coleslaw tubs at their counters. Coleslaw is often served in open bowls at buffets and barbecues.

Exposure to air and heat can raise the risk of infection with harmful germs like listeria. To avoid this, never consume coleslaw that has been exposed to the air or taken from a larger container.

Alternatives to Coleslaw when Pregnant

If you can’t stop eating coleslaw and salads during pregnancy, there are some options to consider.

Remember to use pregnancy-safe salad ingredients and be careful when using mayonnaise based dressing and eggs.

• Green Bean Slaw

This dish of green bean slaw uses haricots, red peppers, carrots, and parsnips. It is light and crisp.

• Lemon Brussel Sprout Coleslaw

This dish uses Brussels sprouts that are shredded in a food processor. The garnish includes lemon juice, fruit juice, and sunflower seeds.

• Crunchy Broccoli Slaw

Broccoli stems are often ignored in store coleslaw, but can be used in this dish. They work well in coleslaw with sunflower seeds and carrots when cut into thin strips.

• Fennel and Peach

This summer slaw is both sweet and salty. It’s perfect for picnics or as a delicious topping for burgers and sandwiches.

• Spicy Pickled Slaw

This slaw is spicy and pairs nicely with fried chicken, hot dogs, and hamburgers. It’s also a great side dish for hot dogs.

• Beet Slaw, Raw

This salad is super nutritious. Its main ingredients are arugula, scallions, raw diced beets, and lemon juice. For an extra kick, jalapenos can be added.

Final Thoughts

Pregnant women should avoid precooked coleslaw due to the risk of listeriosis caused by Listeria bacteria.

The pre prepared salad is typically refrigerated, which can promote bacterial growth. Prepackaged coleslaw also poses the problem of unclear vegetable washing practices.

It is difficult to determine if the vegetables were washed before use.

The American Pregnancy Association advises washing vegetables before eating to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis. Raw eggs in coleslaw are also a concern.

Pregnant women should avoid them due to the potential for salmonella contamination.

Some coleslaw recipes may contain unpasteurized homemade mayo. Due to this, pregnant women should avoid eating coleslaw to be safe.

Read more: Can you eat chicken salad when pregnant: Is it risky or safe?