Is Canned Food Safe for Pregnant Women? Here’s What You Need to Know

Is canned food safe for pregnancy? Almost all canned foods have a chemical called Bisphenol A. (BPA) which is dangerous for pregnant women.

Canned goods have saved us for so many nights in our lives. Lazy to cook? Saving up? Tired of take-out food? Sudden hunger? You can always opt to heat up a canned good or just eat it fresh from the can. What’s even great is most are everything is canned now – meat, fish, seafood, veggies, and more. 
But when you’re pregnant and your baby is in need of healthier options and a well-balanced diet, is it a good idea to consume these canned goods?

Eating Canned Food When Pregnant

Photo by Julia M Cameron

Food poisoning might be more serious in pregnant women. If they are not properly sealed or maintained, food cans may contain microorganisms that cause botulism and other bacterial infections.
Before canning, processed food is cooked to a high temperature to destroy microorganisms. They resemble junk food because most enzymes and nutrients have been removed.
Almost all canned foods have an epoxy lining manufactured of the chemical Bisphenol A. (BPA). In early childhood, endocrine disruptors like this have been linked to behaviour, cognition, and reproduction problems. 
According to research, consuming BPA while pregnant may harm the future development of the unborn kid. Childhood obesity, reproductive issues, early puberty in females, melancholy and anxiety, diabetes, and heart disease are just a few illnesses linked to prenatal BPA exposure.
Pregnant women should stay away from high BPA exposure. Choose canned goods that are lined with non-BPA materials as an option. 

Is Canned Food Safe for Pregnancy?

Is it okay to eat canned soup when pregnant? Can you eat canned corned beef when pregnant? Those are just some of the questions that pregnant women have regarding the common staples that we have in our pantry. 

While they seem to be the most accessible choice, pregnant women are advised against consuming these foods because they may contain ingredients that are dangerous for the mum-to-be and her unborn baby.

Can you eat canned soup when pregnant?

As mentioned earlier, the harmful chemical BPA can be leaked into food through these can packaging. The risk is especially high for cooked foods like canned soup, canned pasta and even meat sauce. 

Can you eat canned tuna when pregnant?

For instance, canned tuna or canned fish are not recommended due to the potentially dangerous mercury found in canned tuna and tuna salad.

According to studies, canned tuna has the same mercury content as white tuna. When large levels of mercury enter the circulation, the development of the baby’s neurological system may be damaged. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has advised pregnant women to consume no more than 170 grams of tuna per week.

Can you eat canned corned beef when pregnant?

Meanwhile, deli meat, including corned beef may be contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria before or while it was being packed, while it was being stored in the warehouse or even after being in a display case for a long period of time. Thus, consuming them may not be considered the safest and healthiest choice for mums-to-be.

How about canned fruits?

Fruits are a better option over fatty foods. However, always practice caution when buying these products. Choose the ones that has less to zero sugar and always check the expiration date before consuming them.

Is It Okay to Eat Processed Food While Pregnant

Photo by Karen Laårk Boshoff

In terms of diet during pregnancy, it is best to start eating nutrient-dense meals to benefit you, and your growing baby. You’ll need essential nutrients, including protein, folate, choline, and iron. 

Whole foods with enough nutrients to suit your needs and those of your baby should make up the majority of a healthy pregnancy diet. In general, processed junk food is high in calories, sugar, and added fats, promoting poor nutrition.

Protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables with lots of fibre should make up the majority of your meals and snacks.

Foods to Avoid When Pregnant

We have a more comprehensive article about the worst foods to consume during pregnancy, but this short list also sums it up:

  • Fish high in mercury content

Mercury is a very harmful element. There is currently no known safe exposure limit, and it is most typically detected in contaminated water.

At higher doses, it can be harmful to your kidneys, immune system, and brain. Significant developmental problems may also arise in children who eat it. Even at lower doses, negative consequences can still occur.

Fish high in mercury include shark, swordfish, tuna, marlin, orange roughly.

  • Raw or uncooked seafood

When eaten uncooked, shellfish, in particular, can transmit a number of diseases. Salmonella, listeria, vibrio, and norovirus are a few of the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause these diseases.

Some infections may only affect you, leaving you drained and weak. Other diseases could spread to your unborn kid and have serious, perhaps fatal, consequences.

Even if you are not ill, the placenta can transmit listeria germs to your unborn child. The CDC states that this can lead to early delivery, a miscarriage, a stillbirth, as well as other serious health problems.

  • Undercooked, raw or processed meat

Similarly with raw fish, undercooked, raw, or processed meat may be harmful to your and your baby. You run a higher risk of catching some pathogens or parasites, such as Toxoplasma if you consume undercooked or raw meat. E. Salmonella Listeria and E. coli.

Bacteria could harm your child’s health and cause stillbirth or catastrophic neurological disorders like epilepsy, blindness, and intellectual disability.

  • Raw eggs

Raw eggs may contain the salmonella bacteria. Salmonella infections may result in fever, vomiting, nausea, stomach aches, and diarrhoea.

On rare occasions, the infection might cause uterine cramps, which may lead to early birth or a miscarriage.

  • Unwashed produce

Unwashed or unpeeled fruits and vegetables may carry a range of bacteria and parasites on their surface. These include Toxoplasma, E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.

Contamination can occur at any time during the process of production, harvest, processing, storage, transit, or retail. 

A parasite called toxoplasma that may survive on fruits and vegetables is potentially dangerous. The majority of toxoplasmosis patients don’t exhibit any symptoms. However, a few may have flu-like symptoms for a month or more.

When babies are born with toxoplasma bacterium infection, they typically have no symptoms. However, blindness or intellectual issues may manifest later in life.

ALSO READ:

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Is Pork Good For Pregnancy? Here’s What Mums-to-Be Need to Know

Preventing the Harmful Effects of Canned Goods in Pregnancy

As much as we want to be as healthy as we can be while expecting and choosing only the cleanest, safest and healthiest of foods, there are times when we are left with no choice but to consume the ones that are easily available in our cupboard.
If you can’t avoid eating canned tuna or soup while pregnant, know how to practice caution when buying and consuming these goods. Avoid buying products with tampered or broken packaging (dents in the can, holes in the plastic). Before storing them in your pantry, make sure to wipe them clean first. Finally, always check the expiration date before consuming them. 

Image Source: iStock

If you have the luxury, always choose the freshest and healthiest foods. Not only will it be good for you, but it will ensure the safety of your unborn baby. Here are some reminders:
  • Try to get as many items, such as fruits, and vegetables, as fresh as you can. This way, your food is surely packed with authentic ingredients and minimal preservatives. 
  • The second best option is frozen food, occasionally even better than fresh food due to its longer shelf life. Frozen produce doesn’t require the same additions and chemicals as BPA that canned food does. 
  • Choose alternatively packaged food like ones packaged in glass. These products include milk, liquids, tomato paste, and many others. Paper items are still an excellent choice when accessible, even though they might not be as prevalent as glass containers. Soups, beans, and even pasta meals can be found in plastic containers, a better option than canned food (when BPA-free).
  • Cooking your meals at home ensures that you know everything that is added to your food. No canned goods, no harmful chemicals. You have complete control over the process while making meals at home, from shopping to serving. To further lower your exposure to BPA, buy fresh or frozen food and put up wholesome meals at home!
  • Purchasing vegetables directly from the growers is the best option. It’s organic and even a cheaper option!
  • Growing your own food has several benefits. It’s highly healthy and fresh and right in your backyard! No need to go out and spend more money. 
Consider using a Student portable lunch box with Spoon and chopsticks, which allows you to carry your homemade meals in style. By cooking your meals at home, you have complete control over the ingredients and can avoid harmful chemicals found in canned goods. Additionally, purchasing vegetables directly from growers or growing your own food is an organic and cost-effective option.It’s highly healthy and fresh and right in your backyard! No need to go out and spend more money. 

Eating Canned Food While Pregnant: Consult Your Doctor

While pregnant, it’s crucial to avoid foods and beverages that could harm you or your unborn child.
The majority of meals and beverages can be consumed without any issues, however, some, such as alcohol, high mercury seafood, raw fish, and raw meat, should be avoided.
Additionally, certain foods and beverages like coffee and those with a lot of added sugar should be avoided to encourage a healthy pregnancy.
For healthier options that will provide you and your developing kid with the nutrition you need, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor. 

 

Healthline, Baby Med, The Prenatal Nutritionist

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.

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theAsianparent