Can I eat chocolate mousse when pregnant?
Quick Answer
It depends
Chocolate mousse often contains raw eggs, which can pose a risk of salmonella infection. However, if the eggs used in the mousse are pasteurized, it should be safe to consume during pregnancy.
What Is It?
Chocolate mousse is a dessert made with chocolate and eggs. The eggs are often raw, which can pose a risk to pregnant women due to the potential presence of salmonella.
Why It Can Be Risky
The main risk associated with eating chocolate mousse during pregnancy is the potential for salmonella infection from raw eggs.
- Salmonella infection: This can cause symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In rare cases, it can lead to more serious complications.
- Listeriosis: Although rare, there’s a small chance that raw eggs could be contaminated with listeria, which can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
Safe Method?
If you’re pregnant and craving chocolate mousse, look for versions that are made with pasteurized eggs, or make your own at home using a recipe that calls for cooking the eggs.
Safe Alternatives
If you’re not sure about the safety of the chocolate mousse, you might consider other chocolate desserts that don’t contain raw eggs, such as chocolate pudding or chocolate cake.