So you're pregnant. Now, along with the joys of having a miracle growing inside of your body, you get to find out all the glorious things you're no longer allowed to eat, have, or do as a pregnant woman. Goodbye, eating whatever you like. Hello, paying attention to everything you put into your body. You're no longer taking care of just yourself. You've got another life to think about, to care for. Now, you've got to pay attention to what you put on your sandwiches. Feta? Mozzarella? Condiments? Is it safe to have mayonnaise while pregnant? These are the hard hitting questions. Because sometimes, a lady's got a craving and needs to know what's OK.
From sushi to cheeses to hotdogs, the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy can get extensive, according to the Mayo Clinic. But mayonnaise? Well, that can get tricky.
The general rule of thumb for mayonnaise is: The varieties that can be found unrefrigerated on the shelf at your grocery store? Safe. Anything else? Questionable. Why is this?
Varieties such as Hellman's and Heinz are made with eggs that have been heat treated, so they're considered safe for pregnant women. "Because the product goes through processing, any potential pathogen that could cause food-born illness would be destroyed," nutritionist Kimberly A. Tessmer told Pregnancy.org. But if you're not sure what type of mayonnaise it is, it's best to avoid it and find a substitute. In some restaurants and delis, mayonnaise is still prepared from scratch, which means that unpasteurized eggs that can contain salmonella bacteria may have been used as an ingredient. You'll want to ask about any mayonnaise you find in the refrigerated aisle at the grocery store or has been made by a small batch operation.
If you'd rather play it safe, then don't fret as there are plenty of substitutes for mayonnaise. If you're looking for something close to mayonnaise, try Vegenaise, which is made without eggs. You can even opt for Miracle Whip,which still contains egg, but has a different flavor than mayonnaise.
Still skeptical? Hummus, avocado, pesto, mustard, and olive oil can all be added to sandwiches and used as spreads to liven up a sandwich, without having to worry about any eggs involved. And if you're looking for something to mix into your pasta, egg, chicken, or potato salads, try plain Greek yogurt. Baby Center notes that it typically has twice the amount of protein as regular yogurt, and is a great source of calcium — two things you'll want to maker sure you're getting plenty of while pregnant.
