Introduction
Pregnant women have a lot of doubts about the foods that they can and cannot eat during pregnancy. One of the most asked questions regarding food is, “Can I eat mayonnaise during pregnancy?”.
The straightforward answer to this question is: Yes, you can eat mayonnaise during pregnancy in moderation.
Let us discuss more about eating mayonnaise in pregnancy.
Is mayonnaise healthy?
Although mayonnaise is primarily made of eggs, oil, and mustard, store-bought mayonnaise has stabilizers, preservatives, and added flavors that aren’t considered healthy, especially during pregnancy.
Risk of eating mayonnaise during pregnancy
Eating mayonnaise during pregnancy has some potential risks involved.
Apart from preservatives, added flavors, and color, the other risk that is associated with eating mayonnaise is the raw egg that is present in it.
A bacteria called Salmonella can be present in raw or uncooked eggs, which can lead to fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
Apart from this, Mayonnaise also has higher amounts of:
- Fat
- Calories
- Sodium content
- Sugar and
- Artificial preservatives.
All these can potentially increase the risk of health issues including blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and excess weight gain.
Hence it is recommended to have mayonnaise rarely and not have it on a regular basis especially during pregnancy.
How often can I consume mayonnaise during pregnancy?
A pregnant woman can consume mayonnaise or any other store-bought sauces or food, for that matter, once in a while as long as it is made with pasteurized eggs.
For safety reasons, it is better to eat mayonnaise if it is made at home than with pasteurized eggs.
Best mayonnaise to consume during pregnancy
The best mayonnaise to consume during pregnancy is homemade mayonnaise.
Instead of buying one from the store with so many preservatives and additives, you can make it at home with a few ingredients without any harmful chemicals or preservatives.
But if you are going to buy mayonnaise from the store, make sure to read the label.
Check if the eggs used to make the mayonnaise are pasteurized and there are no harmful chemicals present in it.
Healthy alternative to regular mayonnaise
Conclusion:
Although you can have homemade mayonnaise, it is better to have it in moderation. Since mayonnaise has oil, it is a high source of fat.
Hence, be cautious of the portion you consume. Instead of mayonnaise, you can use the healthier yogurt dip, which is much more nutritious and safe to consume than having mayonnaise during pregnancy.
It is recommended to consult with a gynecologist before trying out any new ingredients or food during pregnancy for the safety of both the mother and the baby.
For consultations and appointments with the best gynecologist in Chennai, Dr. Deepthi Jammi, contact Jammi Scans at 73387 71733.
