We’ve all heard about pregnancy cravings, but only moms know how hard they can be to resist. “Can you eat truffles when pregnant?”, you’re asking everyone around you as you hope to get a positive answer.
Since your baby eats everything you do, you must be extra careful about what you consume. You probably already avoid drinking coffee, energy drinks, eating seafood… the list goes on. But, what about truffles? Should you stay away from them, too?
Being a foodie myself, I know how difficult it can be to resist truffle dishes even without pregnancy cravings. Truffles with scrambled eggs, truffle pasta, fries, chicken, sauce… my mouth is watering just thinking about all these delicious meals.
Okay, I’m probably not making this any easier for you, so let’s get to the point. Can you eat truffles when pregnant? If yes, how do you know they’re safe to eat and are there any alternatives? We’re here to answer all of your questions, mama, so let’s get right into it.
So, can you eat truffles when pregnant?
During pregnancy, your diet changes as the well-being of your baby becomes your top priority. Eating well is one of the most important aspects of keeping your little one healthy, so you’re constantly thinking about food that could affect her.
No matter what people tell you, make sure you always listen to your doctor first. In fact, you don’t have to give up on most foods you used to eat before you were pregnant! Unless your doctor prescribes a special diet, the main things you should focus on are eating in moderation and preparing your meals well.
There are mixed feelings when it comes to the question of whether you can eat truffles when pregnant. Although they’re safe, there’s still a chance they’re carrying bacteria that could put you and your little one at risk.
The one people are most concerned about is toxoplasmosis. Although it’s usually not a serious disease, it can be very harmful during pregnancy for both the baby and the mother. However, you can find these bacteria in any kind of unwashed vegetables, raw meat, soil, contaminated water, and more…
So, do you really have to stop eating truffles? If you make sure they’re completely clean and fully cooked – no, you don’t. Of course, you should always talk to your doctor first if you have any anxiety about the food you eat, but there’s no particular reason why you shouldn’t eat well-cooked truffles.
How to make sure your truffles are safe to eat?
Your pregnancy cravings probably won’t let you stop thinking about all the delicious truffle meals you could have, so let’s learn what’s the safest way to eat them. As I’ve mentioned, truffles contaminated with bacteria are the main reason why some pregnant women refuse to eat them.
Because of that, the first thing you should do is try to get as much dirt off them as possible. Since these bacteria can be found in soil, it’s crucial that you clean your truffles completely before preparing them.
The best way you can do this is by washing them under running water. Avoid soaking them, as that could just cause the potential bacteria to spread. Instead, simply put them under your tap and make sure you wash them as well as you can.
Get under every crease and, if there are any damaged parts, make sure you cut them off just to be sure. Take your time and don’t rush through this process, as it’s important to get all the dirt and soil out.
To make sure your truffles are completely clean and safe to eat, you should cook them fully. The high temperature will kill all the bacteria and leave you with a delicious meal you can eat. Although some chefs don’t recommend fully cooking your truffles, pregnancy is not the right time to listen to them…
You should do what’s best for you and your little one. However, to still get the best out of your meal, we recommend eating black truffles, as cooking won’t affect their flavor and amazing characteristics we all know and love.
If you don’t plan on eating all of them, you can always freeze the ones you’ve cleaned and save them for later when your cravings hit again. Freezing might also help get rid of bacteria which is a plus!
What are some alternatives to truffle products?
So, the answer to “Can you eat truffles when pregnant?” is – yes, you can. However, if you still feel nervous about it, there’s no need to put yourself through unnecessary stress. After all, what’s the beauty of satisfying your cravings if you’ll feel anxious about it the whole time?
Luckily, there are some pretty good alternatives to truffle products that might be just enough to make you happy and complete your dish. Let’s go through some of them together. Who knows, maybe you already have some of them stored in your kitchen cabinets!
1. Olive oil instead of truffle oil
Since truffles are hard to grow and find, they’re also pretty expensive. Because of that, when you buy truffle oil, there’s a high chance there are little to no truffles in them. However, drizzling some of it over your meal can give it that rich, musky aroma you crave.
Still, no matter how small the chances are, you’re probably scared of causing harm to your little one due to toxoplasmosis, and that’s completely normal. To satisfy your cravings but also keep your baby safe, you can try sprinkling your food with some extra virgin olive oil.
Although it’s not the same as the truffle-flavored one, it’ll still give your meal the strong flavor you crave. On top of that, it’s a lot cheaper and more accessible! Try mixing it with some garlic, and you’ll elevate your meal to a whole new level.
2. Porcini mushroom oil instead of truffle oil
Porcini mushroom oil is another great alternative to truffle-flavored one. Not only is it a lot easier to find, but it will also give your dish a similar texture and aroma. Just like you would use truffle oil, you can sprinkle some of it as a finishing oil on your pasta, salads, and more.
Mushrooms are generally safe to eat during pregnancy. Of course, just like it’s the case with any food, it’s important to cook them properly. When it comes to porcini oil, it’s made from a mushroom extract and olive oil, making it completely safe to consume when pregnant.
However, if you’d like to avoid any risks, you can make your own. Not only is it pretty easy to do, but it will also give you a chance to prepare your mushrooms well or maybe even experiment with some herbs and spices! And, who knows, this might become your new favorite hobby.
All you need to do is chop up your porcini mushrooms, cook them in olive oil, and let the mixture sit for a few days. Cooking them will give you peace of mind, as it will get rid of any potential bacteria, and you’ll be able to enjoy your meal without feeling any anxiety at all.
3. Avocado oil instead of truffle oil
Because it contains vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, potassium, and folate, avocado is known as one of the best fruits you can eat when pregnant. When eaten in moderation, avocados will provide your little one with the necessary nutrients she needs to grow and develop properly.
On top of being good for your baby, avocados are also good for relieving cramps and nausea! When it comes to avocado oil, although it’s not made of mushrooms, it’ll still give your meal that boost of aroma that your body craves, making it a great alternative to truffle oil.
Not only is it good for you and your baby, but it also won’t leave you anxiously thinking about the possible bacteria that could harm your little one. Because it won’t add much flavor to baked and fried food, we recommend making dressings and sauces with it or using it as a finishing oil.
4. Worcestershire sauce instead of truffle sauce
This one might come as a surprise, but Worcestershire sauce is a great alternative to truffle sauce or even truffle oil. It’s pretty commonly used for barbecue, so we doubt you’ll have trouble finding it in your local market.
Because both truffles and Worcestershire sauce have a similar umami taste, it might hit all the right spots when it comes to your pregnancy cravings. However, since it has such a strong flavor, it also contains high levels of salt, which is why you need to use it in moderation.
It would be best to use it as a way to enhance the flavor of your meal. To avoid eating too much of it, you can try mixing it with olive oil, which will add extra flavor to your dish and maybe even bring it closer to that truffle aroma you’re looking for.
Read this: Can You Drink Ensure While Pregnant? The Dos And Don’ts
