Can I eat dark chocolate when pregnant ?

During your pregnancy, doctors often advise a diversified and balanced diet. Nevertheless, you can be lost in authorized and not allowed foods. There are a number of measures you should take during pregnancy to guarantee that your baby grows as well as possible. Nevertheless, in all this, can we eat dark chocolate when pregnant ? Desserts and pastries are a sweet temptation that you don’t see being forbidden from food. We will discuss with you first of all if you can eat dark chocolate when pregnant, then the precautions to take for desserts and pastries and finally a slight explanation on weight during pregnancy.

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Can I eat dark chocolate when pregnant ?

Pastries and desserts! Can we really do without it for 9 months? Can we eat dark chocolate when pregnant ? The answer will be almost YES, you can eat dark chocolate while pregnant. BUT BE CAREFUL, there are many precautions to follow to eat them properly.

Which are the risks linked with eating
dark chocolate when pregnant ?

The risks associated with eating
dark chocolate when pregnant

There are three main risks related to two bacteria (Salmonella and Listeria) and one parasite (toxoplasmosis). The first is associated with the risk of Salmonellosis. This risk happens particularly when eating raw, undercooked or not fresh eggs. The second risk is listeriosis, which is found in dairy products (milk, cream, butter) made from raw milk that will not be cooked at more than 70°C/158°F. The third one is toxoplasmosis that may be present on fruits, which you will place on pies for example.

Suggestions to avoid contamination when eating dark chocolate while pregnant

To reduce the risk of Salmonella and Listeria infection, make your own pastries or desserts with boiled eggs. If you occasionally want to use them fresh, use eggs very close to the laying date and store them properly in a cool place. Preferably, select recipes where the eggs will be cooked properly. In the same idea, use pasteurized milk and cream. To minimize infection with toxoplasmosis, wash the fruit properly.
In bakery, pâtisserie, restaurants or friend’s houses, avoid pastries made with snow eggs or raw or undercooked eggs, so as not to take any risks (tiramisu, meringue, lemon meringue pie). The date of laying of the eggs used to make the cake and whether the pastry was properly stored is unknown. For industrial manufacturing, there is low risk. Choose lemon pie, chocolate mousse, and many other industrial recipes rather than homemade ones.
To make it less difficult to understand everything that has just been said, eat desserts or pastries that are industrial or homemade recipes but made with cooked eggs, pasteurized cream or milk.

Weight during pregnancy

You will gain weight during your pregnancy. Nevertheless, it is recommended to limit it to a certain number of kilos (12kg on average during the entire pregnancy). You will usually have increased appetite, think about a snack, but you preferably should choose fruits or yoghurts. Dessert or pastry will be very occasional, therefore you can eat dark chocolate when you’re pregnant.
Ask to your doctor or midwife if you want to ask them any questions you may have.
Consider regular exercise for your personal well-being.

You want more info on physical exercises during pregnancy :
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pregnancy-exercise/

Conclusion

For desserts and pastries, you can eat dark chocolate when pregnant, but do not forget that every precaution has been taken.
If you are interested to know if you can eat another food, enter it in our search bar for pregnant woman.