Are shellfish on the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy? What about oysters, scallops, and shrimp? Can pregnant women eat clams?
Seafood is a tricky topic because it’s good and bad during pregnancy.
You already know that eating raw seafood like sushi is a bad idea when you’re pregnant. Uncooked food increases your risk of a bacterial infection. It could make you and your baby ill.
Furthermore, some types of fish and shellfish contain mercury and that’s poisonous for you and the fetus.
But pregnant women can eat clams if they are cooked. For example, you might start craving clam chowder during pregnancy and that’s just fine. Clam is packed with protein and nutrients for your body and your baby’s healthy development (1), (2).
Can I eat clams during the first trimester?
Since clams are safe to eat if they are fully cooked, you can eat them at any time during pregnancy.
Why are clams risky to eat?
Raw clams and oysters may be infected with a type of bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus. It lives in saltwater – it doesn’t matter if the water is polluted or not. And you can’t tell when shellfish are contaminated with the bacteria because it doesn’t change how they look or smell (1).
If you are infected with Vibrio vulnificus, it can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
Moreover, it’s not just eating contaminated shellfish that can make you sick. This kind of bacteria can infect wounds. It’s vital to wash your hands after handling seafood or take care of raw shellfish while wearing gloves.
If you’re a healthy person with a functioning immune system, eating contaminated seafood leads to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. But in someone with a compromised immune system, it can enter the bloodstream, causing chills and fever, septic shock with low blood pressure, and blistered skin (3).
How can pregnant women eat clams safely?
All you need to do is cook the clams properly because the heat will kill the bacteria.
How do you know if the clams are cooked enough to be safe? They will open during the cooking process (2).
If the clams don’t open, discard them because they may not be safe to eat.
How to cook clams
It’s not as hard as you might think to cook clams. It’s as easy as remembering the Rule of 3.
- If you want to make clam chowder, you’ll need to boil the clams for at least 3 minutes.
- If you fry clams, they need to be submerged in the oil at 375°F for at least 3 minutes.
- If you grill or broil clams, they need to stay 3 inches away from the heat source for 3 minutes.
Sadly, the nifty Rule of 3 doesn’t apply to baking or steaming.
- For baking in the oven, clams need to be at 450°F for 10 minutes
- For steaming, clams need to stay exposed to the vapor for 5 to 10 minutes depending on their size.
What types of clams are safe for pregnant women to eat?
Clam chowder is safe because it’s a cooked soup. Even if you eat it cold, at least it was previously cooked to a high enough temperature to kill dangerous bacteria.
Next, canned clams are safe if they are shelf-stable, and not stored in a refrigerator. They should have been previously cooked before bottling or canning.
Fry clams or clam strips are good if they are completely cooked until steaming hot. The same goes for stuffed clams.
Lastly, clam juice is okay if it’s been commercially produced and pre-cooked. Feel free to use it as a base for sauces and soups.
Do clams contain mercury?
The good news is that clams are typically low in mercury. (Compare that to tuna, which you should avoid during pregnancy).
However, even though clams are “low” in mercury, they may still contain small amounts. Therefore, take it easy and eat clams in moderation (3).
Cooking doesn’t remove mercury. It accumulates in both your and your baby’s bodies and can cause severe health problems and developmental delays.
Which types of clams are lowest in mercury? I’ve heard good things about butter clams, softshell clams, farmed Pacific littleneck, Northern Quahogs, and steamer clams. If you live near the ocean, check the marine shellfish advisory about contamination.
What kind of clam chowder is safe for pregnant women to eat?
Any type of cooked clam chowder is safe. It doesn’t matter if it’s a New England-style or Manhattan-style clam soup.
Also, besides cooking the clams, it’s crucial that the chowder uses pasteurized milk and cream. If the dairy is unpasteurized, it needs to be heated high enough to kill bacteria, too.
Is it safe to eat smoked clams?
It’s best to avoid any kind of smoked seafood or shellfish unless it is cooked. For example, you might have smoked clam in a casserole or soup that’s cooked. Otherwise, smoked food that isn’t heated might not be safe (1).
On the bright side, there’s a whole world of tasty clam-based food waiting for you to discover it. You don’t need to spend much time and effort preparing canned clams, for example.
Bumble Bee Fancy Whole Baby Clams
You already know you can eat canned clams while pregnant. They’re perfect for clam chowder, dips, and pasta.
This brand uses wild-caught clams from the coast of China and Indonesia. They’re packed in juice with citric acid, water, and salt to preserve them.
There are approximately 200 to 300 yellow clams per can. One serving has 9 grams of protein.
There’s enough between the juice and the clams to make a family-sized meal of chowder. Just remember to add the clams at the end because if they are cooked for too long, they’ll have a rubbery texture.
Bar Harbor Chopped Clams
This brand also uses wild-caught clams. They come from the North Atlantic. And they are packed without artificial ingredients – it’s just clams, clam juice, and sea salt.
To be honest, I prefer these clams when I’m making clam sauce for linguine. It’s because the juice is not laced with preservatives or additives.
Campbell’s Chunky Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder
It’s normal to be tired when you’re pregnant. You may not feel like cooking. That’s when this premade clam chowder comes in handy. It’s made with clams and clam stock, potato, cream, butter, onions, salt, and so on.
It’s rich and creamy and easy to prepare. All you need to do is pour it into a saucepan and heat it or microwave it for a couple of minutes. You don’t need to add water or anything else.
One canned has 11 grams of protein. It can help you feel full for quite a while.
On the downside, tastes a little salty to me just like all of Campbell’s soups. If you have celiac disease or lactose intolerance, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Progresso Rich & Hearty, New England Clam Chowder Soup
I prefer Progresso’s clam chowder to Campbell’s, but they are both good and straightforward to prepare. You can microwave it for a couple of minutes or heat it on the stovetop. It’s precooked so you could technically eat it straight from the can. Furthermore, if you don’t finish it, you can refrigerate the leftovers.
I’ve been known to stretch one can into soup for two people by adding milk. The base ingredients are clams and clam broth, potatoes, onions, soybean oil, and all the usual suspects. Be sure to check the nutrition information on the label if you’re dealing with gestational diabetes. Progresso adds sugar to the recipe.
ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer
It’s so easy to cook clams that you don’t need a thermometer to make sure they’re done. If you boil them for 3 minutes or steam them for at least 5, they should open. That’s how you know they’re done and ready to eat.
However, a cooking thermometer is downright useful regardless. With it, you can make sure that all your food is safe to eat during pregnancy.
This model is similar to the one I use at home. It has a backlit display that updates within a couple of seconds. There is a probe that you can slip under the lid of the crock pot or stab into your pot roast. Select between Fahrenheit or Celsius and you’re good to go. No matter which way you rotate the thermometer, you can read the display. That’s handy for lefties.
It only takes one AAA battery to operate for up to 3000 hours. I bought my thermometer last year and still haven’t needed to replace the battery. It helps that it has an auto shut-off function.
How to steam clams
Are you ready to put your clam cooking skills to the test? This video teaches how to steam clams in the shell.
As you can see, it’s simpler than you thought. If you cook them too long, they will be rubbery. Follow these instructions for the perfect texture.
Prepare freshly caught clams:
- Sort through the clams and discard those with damaged, cracked shells.
- Fill a bowl or pot with cold water and submerge the clams.
- Make sure at least a few inches of water cover the clams.
- For every 8 cups of water, add two-thirds of a cup of salt, then mix.
- Soak the clams for an hour, then drain and rinse.
- Refill the bowl and soak them again for 20 minutes.
- Rinse until the clams are clean.
- If any clams are open, tap them closed. If they don’t stay closed, discard them.
Cook the clams:
- Set up the steamer like you would for vegetables. Place water in the bottom of a pot and rest the steamer basket inside. Make sure the water isn’t submerging the basket, then remove it and set it aside.
- Turn on the heat to medium and bring the water to a boil.
- Add the clams to the basket and place it inside the pot.
- Put on a tight-fitting lid.
- Let the clams steam for 5 to 10 minutes. They will open as they cook.
- Discard any clams that didn’t open and enjoy the rest.
Of course, steaming isn’t the only way to cook clams. Here’s another option below.
Mouth-watering steamed clams with butter and garlic
When I say “buttery garlic steamed clams”, does it make you hungry? If so, this recipe only takes 15 minutes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Clams (already rinsed and ready to use – try one of the canned varieties above)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
- 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 1 cup of white wine
Pause: I realize that you might not be keen on using white wine during pregnancy. Keep in mind that you’ll be reducing it – burning off the alcohol. However, you can substitute the wine with vegetable broth, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice.
- For garnish, try fresh parsley, and lemon wedges
You’ll also need a large skillet with a lid and a utensil for stirring.
Divide the butter in half and place 2 ½ tablespoons in the pan. Melt it over medium heat and add the garlic. Stir for 30 seconds.
Pour in the wine and lemon juice and bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the remaining 2 ½ tablespoons of butter and the clams. Distribute them evenly and put the lid on the pan. Let them cook until the clams open. Don’t lift the lid – instead, shake the pan occasionally. It should take about 7 minutes until they’re ready.
Toss out the clams that don’t open. Garnish the rest with lemon and parsley. Yum!
Conclusion
I hope that I’ve answered your questions about whether pregnant women can eat clams. Remember to cook them to protect yourself and your baby. Thankfully, you don’t have to do all the hard work yourself. There are canned clams and pre-cooked clam chowder that you can enjoy within minutes with minimal effort.
I wish you a happy, healthy pregnancy and a future filled with love.
Sources:
1. https://www.pregnancyfoodchecker.com/can-pregnant-women-eat-clams-and-clam-chowder/ Can Pregnant Women Eat Clams and Clam Chowder? Written by Gina Waggott, Medically Reviewed by Janet Gordon RD, MBDA in Fresh Food,Meat & Seafood, Last Updated on August 23, 2021
2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20043844 Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy, By Mayo Clinic Staff
3. https://www.poison.org/articles/are-raw-oysters-safe-to-eat-during-pregnancy Are Raw Oysters Safe to Eat During Pregnancy? by Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, Medical Toxicologist
Video for steaming clams: https://youtu.be/VgeRkYenFqY
