Is Eating Caesar Salad Safe During Pregnancy?

One thing every woman worries about once they’re pregnant is their pregnancy diet. A pregnant woman has to give up quite a few food items and beverages in order to make sure that her unborn baby develops properly. Most of us love to relish a bowl full of Caesar salad. However, can you savour this Mexican delight during pregnancy too? Let us find out whether or not eating Caesar salad during pregnancy is a wise decision or if you need to forgo this delicacy for nine months!

What Is Caesar Salad?

Caesar salad is a delicacy that originated in Mexico, and because of its unique taste, it soon gained popularity around the world. The original recipe of the salad comprised of Worcestershire sauce, garlic, vinaigrette, lemon juice and raw eggs. However, nowadays, garlic, parmesan cheese, vinaigrette, croutons, romaine lettuce, and egg is also used to prepare this delicacy.

Is It Safe to Have Caesar Salad During Pregnancy?

Eggs are a part of Caesar salads, and it is used in either raw or coddled form. It is a known fact that pregnant women should not consume any form of raw eggs because of the potential risk of salmonella contamination. This is because the presence of salmonella, the bacteria that are usually found in bird faeces, may lead to food poisoning and can be fatal during pregnancy. Therefore, the Caesar salad that you eat during pregnancy should be made without eggs.

Things to Remember Before Eating Caesar Salad When Pregnant

In case you are a big fan of Caesar salad, and you crave for this salad during pregnancy, make sure you opt for the salad without eggs. If you are eating out, ensure that the restaurant either uses pasteurised eggs or the salad does not have any eggs in it. You should also avoid homemade preparations of this salad, unless you are sure that there are no eggs in it or pasteurised eggs have been used to prepare the salad. Do not risk eating any raw egg preparations during pregnancy, and this includes homemade mayonnaise, ice-creams, mousse, etc.

Eggless Caesar Salad Recipes You Can Have During Pregnancy

If your heart is not listening to your mind, and you crave for this yummy salad, we suggest that you try some of these eggless Caesar salad recipes.

1. Eggless Caesar Salad With Anchovy Paste

This Caesar Salad recipe with anchovy paste is tasty and easy to make.

What Will You Need

• Anchovy paste – 3 tablespoons
• Lemon juice – 3 tablespoons
• Minced garlic – ½ tablespoon
• Grated parmesan cheese – 3 to 4 tablespoons
• Olive oil – 3 to 4 tablespoons
• Canola oil – 3 to 4 tablespoons
• Worcestershire sauce – ½ tablespoon
• Black pepper – ½ tablespoon
• Lettuce – As needed

How to Make

• Take a large bowl and put all the ingredients in it. Mix well, and your salad is ready.
• Alternatively, you can put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend it nicely.

2. Eggless Caesar Salad With Kale

You may add kale for an extra dose of nutrition to this eggless Caesar salad recipe.

Ingredients

• A bunch of fresh kale leaves
• Chopped anchovies – 4
• Finely chopped garlic – ¼ tablespoon
• Parmesan cheese – 2 tablespoons (grated); keep some aside for garnishing
• Extra virgin olive oil – ¼ cup
• Dijon mustard – 1 ½ tablespoon
• Sea salt – ¼ tablespoon
• Extra virgin olive oil – ¼ cup
• Black pepper powder – ¼ tablespoon

How to Make

• Take a bowl and mix the anchovies, lemon juice, mustard, and garlic in it. Pour olive oil in this mixture and blend it well.
• Add salt, pepper, and grated cheese.
• Add the fresh kale leaves and toss it well.
• Garnish with grated cheese and serve.

3. Eggless Caesar Salad With Grilled Chicken

This is a healthy meal option for a mommy-to-be.

Ingredients

• Sliced grilled chicken – ½ cup
• Croutons – ½ cup
• Romaine lettuce – 1 head (torn into small bite-sized pieces)
• Grated parmesan cheese – 3 tablespoons
• Extra virgin olive oil – 6 tablespoon
• Worcestershire sauce – a few drops
• Lemon juice – 2 tablespoon
• Coarse salt – a pinch
• Mashed anchovy fillet – 1
• Chopped garlic – 2 tablespoons
• Black pepper – a pinch

How to Make

• Blend the anchovy, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and salt together, and keep putting drops of olive oil while churning.
• Put the mixture in a bowl, add cheese, and mix well.
• Add the lettuce leaves, croutons, grilled chicken, and mix nicely.
• Garnish with some grated cheese and serve.

Enjoy these eggless Caesar salad recipes and satisfy your pregnancy cravings for Caesar salad. Making these eggless preparations will protect you from the dangers of consuming raw eggs during pregnancy and also give you a delicious meal. You must be particular about what you eat during pregnancy to maintain yours and your baby’s good health. We hope you try out these yummy recipes and have a healthy pregnancy!

Also Read: Consuming Corn in Pregnancy