There are plenty of foods that should be avoided when pregnant, from caffeine to some cold salads and deli meat. Escargot is a pretty controversial dish at the best of times, but can you eat escargot when pregnant?
Here we’ve got all the information to help you make an informed decision about your pregnancy diet.
In this article
What Is Escargot?
Escargot is an appetizer that is very popular in European countries like France and Portugal. The dish is made up of cooked land snails, that are sometimes served alongside herb-infused oil or garlic butter. This is considered a delicacy in many cuisines and is a popular choice among tourists.
Is Escargot Safe To Eat During Pregnancy?
There is not much research around the safety of consuming escargot while pregnant, so you should definitely chat to your healthcare provider who will be able to advise you on your best options moving forward.
You might also have difficulties eating escargot if you are allergic to seafood. If you have ever had a seafood allergy, the chances are you will also have a reaction to escargot. You should avoid escargot during your pregnancy to be safe, especially if you suffer from an allergy to seafood.
Escargot And Weight Control
If your doctor is happy for you to eat escargot, you can go ahead and incorporate escargot into your diet. Escargot can also be incorporated into your diet to help you manage your weight. Here are some of the ways escargot can help you manage your weight:
- Eating 100g of escargot will give you around 90 calories, which will help you to feel full. It also contains around 16g of protein, which is a great way to keep you feeling full for longer.
- Escargot has a low carbohydrate content and is fat and sugar-free. Escargot is also rich in lean proteins and is an excellent source of iron, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, and potassium.
- This dish also provides a huge amount of vitamins and minerals that are great for your health, and also for the health of your little one. The iron, magnesium, and potassium in the escargot will also be really beneficial for your health during pregnancy.
Substitutes For Escargot
If you really feel like you can’t go without escargot, but are wary of eating it during pregnancy, or if you have a seafood allergy. There are some substitutes that will help fill the escargot gap in your diet.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms have a chewy texture like escargot and an earthy flavor that make them a perfect substitute for escargot. Remove the stems in order to leave space for the sauce to collect inside the mushrooms. Sliced mushrooms might also work, but the fuller caps give you the most authentic escargot substitute.
What Is The Best Type Of Escargot?
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There are a few different types of escargot and they work well for different reasons. Here are some of the different types and why they work.
Canned
Canned escargots are cooked and then canned in the juices they have been cooked in. This means they have sealed in flavor and they’re a great texture. Be wary of reheating them for too long, as they have a tendency to become rubbery when overcooked.
Frozen
Frozen escargots are a great way to eat fresh escargots at any time. Fresh escargots are frozen and are easily defrosted, meaning you can have escargots within a few minutes. These can be oven-baked once defrosted and you can heat your sauce on the stovetop, for fresh-ish escargot in no time.
Fresh
These snails can be prepared by boiling in salted water and are the freshest you can get. Some people even choose to raise their own snails before consuming, and you can find some more information online on how to go about doing this.
FAQs
Is it safe to eat escargot?
Snails eat a number of things that are unsafe for human consumption, such as soil, leaves, and a variety of different matters.
Some of this stuff could end up being toxic if ingested by humans, so snails must be purged, which involves starving them to remove the contents of their digestive system prior to consuming.
Can you eat lobster while pregnant?
Seafood is a great dietary staple and provides copious amounts of protein and omega-3 which are great for heart health. If you’re pregnant, you may need to avoid some of these foods, but things such as crab and lobster are generally safe.
If in doubt, consult with your healthcare provider who will be able to give you some advice on the safest foods for you to eat.
And if you are concerned about the side effects of eating seafood during pregnancy, consider trying some vegan options to get the flavor and feel of lobster, without any of the risks that might be involved.
What happens if a pregnant woman eats shellfish?
Seafood is a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which is why it is such a dietary staple for so many people.
You may have been told or have read that you should be avoiding certain types of food, and seafood usually makes an appearance on these lists.
Some fish and shellfish contain high levels of mercury, which can be very dangerous for your infant’s underdeveloped nervous system.
If you’re worried about your diet, always consult with a medical professional who will be able to put your mind at ease and offer you some guidance.
The Final Thought
If you’re worried about eating escargot during pregnancy, always double-check with your healthcare provider.
They’ll likely give you the go-ahead to carry on eating escargot as part of your diet, but if you’re a little wary, there are some substitutes, such as mushrooms, which will you give you the same flavor and texture as escargot.
And if you’re concerned about your pregnancy diet, check out Can Pregnant Women Eat Pepperoni?
