Eating deer summer sausage while pregnant is generally considered safe, as long as it is properly prepared and stored. However, there are some risks to be aware of. This article provides a comprehensive look at the safety, risks, and recommendations around consuming deer summer sausage during pregnancy.
Quick Answer
Most experts agree that it is safe to eat deer summer sausage in moderation during pregnancy, as long as it was properly prepared and stored. The main risks are from bacteria like Listeria or Toxoplasma gondii. Proper cooking and storage can eliminate these risks. Pregnant women are advised to reheat deli meats to steaming hot before eating and avoid cross-contamination. Eating high-quality products from reputable producers can further reduce any risks.
What is Deer Summer Sausage?
Deer summer sausage is a cured, fermented sausage made from venison or deer meat. It originated as a way to preserve venison meat during the warm summer months without refrigeration. The curing and fermenting process helps preserve the meat by inhibiting bacterial growth.
To make deer summer sausage, venison is mixed with fat, salts, spices, and curing agents like nitrates or nitrites. The meat mixture is stuffed into casings, then smoked and air-dried. The finished sausage is shelf-stable at room temperature due to its low moisture content and pH level from fermentation. It has a dense, firm texture and intense smoked flavor.
Deer summer sausage can be purchased from specialty meat shops, venison processors, or made at home by hunters. It is considered an artisanal charcuterie product. Most commercially-made versions contain a starter culture that controls the fermentation process.
Is it Safe to Eat When Pregnant?
When properly prepared, handled, and stored, deer summer sausage is generally considered safe to eat during pregnancy. The two main risks associated with deli meats like summer sausage are Listeria monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii infections.
Risk of Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that can contaminate certain foods and cause an illness called listeriosis. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible as the infection can spread to the fetus through the placenta.
Listeriosis in pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor, and illness or death in newborns. However, the risk of deli meats being contaminated is very low, around 1 in 1000 packages.
To avoid listeriosis, pregnant women are advised to thoroughly reheat deli meats like summer sausage to steaming hot (165°F) before eating. This kills any Listeria bacteria that may be present. Avoiding cross-contamination and consuming products before their use-by date can further minimize risks.
Risk of Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite sometimes found in the muscle tissue of deer and other wild game. If infected venison is consumed raw or undercooked, the parasite can be transmitted to humans and cause an illness called toxoplasmosis.
In pregnant women, toxoplasmosis infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and serious health problems in the newborn like eye damage or developmental delays. The good news is toxoplasmosis is killed by proper cooking and processing methods.
Commercially prepared deer summer sausage is considered safe because the curing, fermenting, and smoking process kills any toxoplasma parasites in the raw meat. High-quality processors also routinely screen their venison for the parasite. So proper cooking of the finished sausage is mainly just an extra precaution.
Best Practices for Pregnant Women
Here are some best practices for pregnant women to safely enjoy deer summer sausage:
- Purchase commercially prepared sausage from reputable, high-end providers that source quality venison.
- Check the product has been cured, fermented, and smoked per USDA guidelines.
- Avoid sausages made from homemade or custom-processed venison.
- Check the sausage has no signs of spoilage like odor, slime, or mold.
- Thoroughly reheat sausages to steaming hot (165°F internal temperature) before eating.
- Avoid cross-contaminating other foods with bacteria from the raw sausage.
- Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling raw sausage.
- Refrigerate sausages promptly and observe use-by dates.
Following these simple precautions will help minimize any risks from Listeria, toxoplasmosis, or other pathogens associated with raw meats. Pregnant women can then enjoy quality deer summer sausage worry-free!
Nutrition Profile of Deer Summer Sausage
In addition to food safety, pregnant women also need to consider the nutrition profile of deer summer sausage:
Protein
Deer summer sausage is an excellent source of high-quality protein needed during pregnancy for fetal growth and development. A 2 ounce serving provides around 15g of protein.
Iron
Venison is higher in iron than many other meats. Iron supports increased blood volume and fetal development during pregnancy. Deer summer sausage provides around 10% of the recommended daily iron intake per serving.
Sodium
Sodium levels can be high in cured/processed meats like summer sausage. Excess sodium intake in pregnancy may increase blood pressure and fluid retention. Check labels and enjoy summer sausage in moderation if you are watching your salt intake.
Nitrates/Nitrites
Curing agents like sodium nitrate or nitrite help preserve summer sausage. In large amounts, nitrates/nitrites may be harmful in pregnancy. But the levels used in commercial preparations are considered safe if consumed occasionally.
Fat
Higher-fat sausages provide beneficial monounsaturated fats but can also contribute considerable calories. Leaner versions or smaller portions are options to limit fat intake.
Overall, deer summer sausage can fit into a healthy pregnancy diet in moderation along with a variety of other protein foods.
Health Benefits of Venison
Beyond its great protein content, venison and deer meat offer some additional health benefits for pregnant women:
- Iron – Venison is very high in iron, with nearly double the amount found in beef. This makes it an excellent food for preventing iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy.
- Vitamin B12 – Deer meat provides high levels of vitamin B12, which supports red blood cell formation and neurological health in mothers and babies.
- Zinc – Zinc supports immune function, cell growth, and fertility. Venison is high in this essential mineral.
- Selenium – Venison provides selenium, a potent antioxidant that may help reduce oxidative stress during pregnancy.
- Omega-3 fats – Game meats offer omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA which are important for fetal brain and eye development.
Including venison like deer summer sausage periodically can provide valuable nutrition during pregnancy. Always combine it with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and other healthy foods as part of a balanced diet.
Amount to Eat When Pregnant
There are no strict guidelines for how much deer summer sausage pregnant women can safely consume. The key is moderation.
The American Pregnancy Association suggests limiting luncheon meats like summer sausage to no more than 2 times per week during pregnancy. Serving sizes should be around 2 ounces or less.
Spreading out intake over the week and limiting portion sizes reduces any risk from lunch meats while still allowing you to gain benefits from quality venison protein.
Listen to your body as well. If you experience food aversions or gastrointestinal issues after eating summer sausage, avoid it or reduce intake.
Substitutes and Alternatives
For pregnant women who want to avoid or limit luncheon meats like deer summer sausage, some healthy substitutes include:
- Lean beef, pork, chicken, or turkey
- Salmon, tuna, or other oily fish
- Beans, lentils, tofu or tempeh
- Cheese, milk, yogurt, eggs
- Peanut or other nut butters
These foods provide protein, iron, and other nutrients found in deer summer sausage without the same handling/preparation risks. Vegetarians can focus on combinations of beans, lentils, eggs, cheese and nuts for protein sources.
For the venison flavor, you can prepare venison steaks, chops, or roasts using healthy cooking methods. This allows you to control the prep and cooking yourself to better avoid risks of raw meats.
Common Questions
Can I get toxoplasmosis from cured venison?
Properly cured and smoked venison like deer summer sausage poses very little to no risk of transmitting toxoplasmosis. The salting, fermenting, and smoking process kills any toxoplasma organisms that may have been present in raw meat.
What kind of lunch meat is safe during pregnancy?
Lunch meats considered safer in pregnancy include ham, turkey, roast beef, corned beef, pastrami, and bologna. Always reheat deli meats to steaming hot before eating. In general, dry cured or smoked sausages are lower risk than fresh deli meats.
Can smoked salmon cause listeriosis?
Yes, smoked salmon also carries a small risk of listeriosis, even though it is smoked and cured. Always check “use-by” dates and refrigerate promptly. Pregnant women should limit smoked seafood to less than 200g per week.
Is venison healthier than beef?
Venison is quite nutritious and lean compared to conventional beef. Deer meat is significantly lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol but higher in protein, iron, and vitamin B12 than beef. Elk, bison, and other game meats also offer similar nutrition profiles.
Key Takeaways
- Deer summer sausage from reputable providers is generally safe in pregnancy when reheated to 165°F before eating.
- Avoid cross-contamination and undercooked venison to prevent infections.
- Limit intake to 2 times weekly in 2 oz portions.
- Quality venison provides protein, iron, zinc, B12 and other nutrients pregnant women need.
- Substitutes like cooked meats, eggs, beans or peanut butter can provide similar nutrition if avoiding lunch meats.
Conclusion
Deer summer sausage can be part of a healthy pregnancy diet when handled properly to reduce risks. Taking precautions like thoroughly cooking the sausage, avoiding cross-contamination, and consuming high-quality products from reputable processors allows pregnant women to safely enjoy the nutrition and flavor of cured venison. Moderating intake and choosing alternative proteins provides even more options for balancing safety with optimal nutrition during pregnancy.