Last Updated on March 14, 2023
We all love a gooey, chocolatey brownie as a sweet treat after a meal, but is it safe to indulge during pregnancy? Let’s talk about it!
Brownies that are fully cooked are safe to consume during pregnancy, as long as the eggs and milk that they contain are pasteurized. Avoid undercooked brownies that are especially gooey in the middle, as well as raw brownie batter.
What about brownie batter or Fiber One brownies? Is store-bought brownie batter safe? Read on to learn more!
Covered in this Article:
Are Brownies Safe for Pregnant Women?
Brownies are generally safe for pregnant women if they are fully baked and made with pasteurized ingredients. Let’s discuss a few different brownie varieties and their specific safety considerations.
Homemade Brownies
Homemade brownies are safe for pregnant women to consume if they are made from pasteurized eggs and milk and are cooked entirely through.
Homemade brownies are typically made with raw eggs and milk. Pasteurization is the process of heating eggs and milk to very high temperatures to kill any potential bacteria that could cause illness or harm.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that pregnant women eat pasteurized eggs and milk to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Specifically, consuming raw and unpasteurized milk can cause listeria, which can harm the developing baby. Listeria can also cause premature labor, stillbirth, or miscarriage (source: FDA).
Commercially-Made Brownies
Commercially-made brownies are usually made from pasteurized eggs and milk. Therefore, they are safe to consume during pregnancy. If in doubt, be sure to check the label.
Remember, it is important to consume a balanced diet that is high in vitamins and minerals, especially during pregnancy. Brownies are high in sugar and fat and low in vitamins and minerals.
You don’t need to entirely avoid brownies, but they should be consumed in moderation.
Undercooked Brownies
Unfortunately, there is some risk involved in consuming brownies that are undercooked or extremely gooey in the middle, since they may contain undercooked eggs.
If you do decide to consume undercooked brownies, make sure the eggs are pasteurized, since this significantly lowers the risk of foodborne illness (source: FDA). However, it’s safest to stick with brownies that are cooked fully through the middle.
Chocolate Brownies
Since brownies traditionally contain chocolate, it is important to note that chocolate contains some caffeine.
Pregnant women should consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Excessive caffeine consumption can contribute to congenital disabilities, preterm labor, risk of low birth weight, and more (source: American Pregnancy Association).
One ounce of baker’s chocolate contains 26 milligrams of caffeine.
Can I Eat Fiber One Brownies During Pregnancy?
Fiber One brownies are a commercially-made brownie product that is safe to consume during pregnancy, since they contain eggs and milk that are pasteurized.
However, Fiber One brownies also contain inulin and chicory root, which are fiber-rich ingredients.
The good news is, both chicory root and inulin are safe for pregnant women as long as they are consumed in moderate amounts, such as the amount found in one or two Fiber One brownies.
For more information about chicory root fiber and inulin consumption during pregnancy, check out this article here.
Getting adequate dietary fiber in your diet is especially important during pregnancy. Fiber supports healthy bowel movements and reduces constipation.
Additionally, Fiber One brownies provide that sweet taste while also providing many beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Make sure you consume adequate amounts of fluid with Fiber One brownies, and enjoy them in moderation to avoid any gastrointestinal discomfort.
Can I Eat Brownie Batter When Pregnant?
Since brownie batter contains raw eggs, it should not be eaten during pregnancy. If you would like an equivalent, make or purchase store-bought brownie batter or cookie dough that contains pasteurized eggs and milk.
Overall, consume brownies in moderation and opt for desserts or snacks that are lower in added sugar and empty calories. For example, washed fresh fruit or yogurt can be great options to satisfy your sweet tooth without the unwanted fat and sugar during pregnancy.
I hope you found this article helpful in unpacking the information regarding consuming brownies during your pregnancy!
This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in line with our editorial policy. |