Can you eat po' boy while pregnant?
Check firstYes, a po' boy is safe during pregnancy when the filling is served hot, like fried shrimp, fried oysters, catfish or roast beef. A cold ham or deli meat po' boy needs the meat heated until steaming first, since cold cuts can carry Listeria.
Why
A po' boy is only as safe as its filling. The classic New Orleans fillings come straight out of the fryer fully cooked, and the FDA lists shrimp, oysters and catfish among its lowest-mercury Best Choices. Frying is also what makes oysters fine, because the NHS advises against raw shellfish in pregnancy, not cooked shellfish. Roast beef po' boys dripping with hot gravy are fine too. The exception is the cold po' boy stacked with ham, turkey or other deli meat. The CDC names deli meats as a Listeria risk and says to heat them to 165 F, or until steaming, right before eating. The dressing is rarely an issue, because restaurant mayo and remoulade are made with pasteurized eggs.
Safer alternatives
- Fried shrimp po' boy, dressed with lettuce, tomato and pickles
- Fried catfish po' boy
- Roast beef po' boy with hot gravy
- Ham and cheese po' boy toasted until the ham is steaming
Sources
- FDA https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish
- CDC https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/prevention/index.html
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Last reviewed by the pregAI editorial team.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat a fried oyster po' boy while pregnant?
Yes. Frying cooks the oysters through, and pregnancy guidance only rules out raw oysters. The FDA also lists oysters among its low-mercury Best Choices, so a fried oyster po' boy is a good pick.
Is remoulade on a po' boy safe during pregnancy?
Almost always. Restaurant remoulade is made from commercial mayonnaise, which uses pasteurized eggs. The only one to skip is a from-scratch sauce whipped up with raw egg yolks, so ask if it is made in-house.
Can I eat a ham po' boy while pregnant?
Yes, if you order it hot. Deli ham can carry Listeria, so the CDC says to heat it to 165 F, or until steaming, right before eating. Most po' boy shops will toast or grill the meat if you ask.
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