There are conflicting perspectives about eating medium well steak during pregnancy. One perspective states that medium steak is not safe at all during pregnancy due to the potential presence of harmful bacteria (like E. coli, Salmonella) and parasites (like Toxoplasma gondii) that could pose risks to both the mother and developing baby. They recommend avoiding medium steak and only eating well-done steak to ensure safety.
Another perspective says medium well steak, if cooked to an internal temperature of about 135°F (57°C), is safe to eat during pregnancy since this temperature kills harmful bacteria. This source suggests medium well steak can be part of a nutritious diet during pregnancy if safety guidelines are followed carefully.
A related source states that steaks should be cooked to at least 145°F (63°C) internally to be considered safe for pregnant women, which would be more on the well-done side rather than medium or medium well. This is in line with USDA recommendations.
Overall, the safest recommendation based on food safety authorities is to eat steak cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C). Medium well steak, which is cooked to around 135°F, may carry some risk, so it is better to prefer well-done steak while pregnant.
Summary
- Medium rare and medium steak are generally not considered safe during pregnancy due to infection risks.
- Medium well steak cooked to 135°F may be considered safe by some, but still carries some risk according to others.
- Well-done steak (cooked to at least 145°F) is the safest choice to eliminate harmful bacteria for pregnant women.
- Pregnant women should always use a meat thermometer to ensure steak is cooked to a safe temperature.
- Consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice during pregnancy.
In conclusion, it is best to avoid medium well steak while pregnant and choose well-done steak to ensure safety.
