You can order a medium-rare steak in a restaurant, enjoy citrus ceviche on the beach, try a bite of beef carpaccio or tartare in Paris,Ineat sushi, sashimi and poke bowls, lots of them. But raw chicken? Now it's always difficultherpass by. While you may know this instinctively, what comes next is a bit of a mystery. It's normal to wonder,What happens if I eat raw chicken?
The short answer? Consuming raw or undercooked chicken can lead to food poisoning, stomach ache, nausea and/or diarrhea (so not fun!) - thanks to bacteria commonly found in chicken and usually killed during the cooking process (grilling, frying or baking)) . So you should always emphasize on cooking chicken to 100 percent doneness.Each. Single. Time.
The easiest way to avoid this gastro nightmare is to always make sure your chicken is cooked through. This means using a thermometer to check whether your chicken has settled inFDA has recommended a safe cooking temperatureat 165°F.
Meet the experts:Jennifer L Luckeis a board-certified gastroenterologist in New York City. In addition to her private practice, she is an attending physician at both NYU Langone Medical Center and Lenox Hill Hospital.Samantha Nazarethis dual board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology/hepatology. She practices in New York City and is aAdvisory Council on Women's Healthlid.
But the tricky thing is that you're not always the one doing the cooking. What happens when you go out to dinner or to a friend's house? You bite into your chicken breast or thigh and find it's undercooked (or even raw!) with a meaty pink inside that screams, "Don't eat me." What now? Do you immediately spit it out on the table? (Sorry, everyone.) Start chugging water to rinse your mouth? Taking some kind of drug? Make a quick line for emergency treatment?!
I spoke to gastroenterologists to get the full picture of what to do if you ever find yourself in this scenario after accidentally eating rawkipflesh. Thereafter,W HTest kitchen experts offered tips on how to avoid consuming a raw brisket or wing in the first place.
What actually happens when you eat raw chicken?
Is it safe to eat raw chicken? Briefly,Nee. It can make you sickfood poisoning. And unless you're Emily CharltonThe devil wears Prada, these two dreaded words are enough to send chills down your spine.
“Raw chicken, like its juice, is often contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria and sometimes with salmonella and clostridium perfringens,” saysJennifer L. Lucke, MD, a gastroenterologist in New York City. There is also a small chance that you will get itEscherichia coliof raw chicken,” but it is typically more commonE coliof undercooked beef and contaminated raw fruits and vegetables,” saysSamantha Nazareth, MD, a gastroenterologist in New York.
All of these foodborne pathogens can cause diarrhea, usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting, fever, and abdominal crampsCenter for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).
And all it takes is a bite or two.
How long after eating raw chicken will you get sick?
Let's talk about the timing. In the case of campylobacter, symptoms typically only begin to manifest two to five days after exposure, while salmonella can cause major damage within six hours per person.CDC. Likewise, these infections vary in length, from 24 hours (clostridium perfringens) to up to a week (campylobacter). The incubation period ofE coliis usually three to four days.
Unfortunately, once you eat raw chicken, there isn't much you can do about it. Rinsing with water or rinsing your mouth will not provide magical solutions. And force yourself to throw up? “It doesn't help either,” says Dr. Bonheur.
What can you do if you ate raw chicken but are not sick?yet?
Unfortunately, once you eat raw chicken, there isn't much you can do about it. Rinsing with water or rinsing your mouth will not provide magical solutions. And force yourself to throw up? “It doesn't help either,” says Dr. Bonheur.
What should you do if you get sick from raw chicken?
First and foremost: immediately ban any business or home where you have previously dined for quite some time - and yes,evenif it means avoiding your mother's cooking for weeks. (Sorry Mama!)
Back to the question: no one will say it, but you're basically just dealing with the symphony of symptoms. There really isn't a magic pill or a miracle cure. "So ifyou have diarrheanausea and cramps – the usual food poisoning problems – start by eating a bland diet and staying well hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks until symptoms improve,” says Dr. Bonheur.
Most cases of food poisoning last up to a week. That said, if symptoms don't improve or worsen within a week, and/or you "have bloody diarrhea, develop a high fever (over 102 degrees), and are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, you should definitely talk to a doctor" , says Dr. Nazareth. Are you starting to show signs of dehydration (think: dizziness, dry mouth, low blood pressure, decreased urination)? Be on the safe side and call the doctor. Some of these worsening symptoms, such as high fever and bloody stools, may indicate that you have a more aggressive infection. But this is usually not the case.
What happens if you eat slightly undercooked chicken?
Whether it's raw or just seems a little undercooked doesn't matter. Your safest bet is toback to the stove(grill, oven, etc.) to cook the poultry for longer if you are unsure about the degree of doneness.
Sure, it may seem easier to just cut away all the raw parts and eat what looks good, rather than asking a chef or your partner to cook your food longer, but it's actually quite risky.
“The entire piece of meat must be thoroughly cooked, as there can be contamination from adjacent, undercooked parts of the meat, which still puts you at risk of exposure to bacteria and foodborne illness,” says Dr. Bonheur.
How do I ensure that the chicken is cooked?
The trick is to pay attention to two things: the color of the meat and the juice that comes out of the chicken. A simple rule of thumb is that cooked chicken will be white in color and undercooked or raw chicken will be pink or even bloody. But don't be afraid to inspect further.
Make a small cut in the thickest part of the poultry, and if it still looks pink or has blood present, then the chicken is most likely raw, says Dr. Bonheur. And the same kind of idea applies to any liquid: if the juice is still pink in color, throw it back in the jar.
But it is best to invest in a quality thermometer. Insert the bad boy into the thickest part of the meat to check the internal temperature. The magic number is 165 (degrees Fahrenheit), at which point the chicken should be done and the heat should have killed any bacteria present.
How can I prevent cross-contamination while cooking?
Eating raw or undercooked chicken is one thing, but remember: food safety extends to the cooking process as well. To avoid cross-contamination, consider using one cutting board for fresh produce, fruit, and bread, and reserving another for raw meat. And be sure to clean thoroughly after each use by washing with warm soapy water, rinsing with clean water and then air drying or patting dry with clean towels. And be sure to clean and disinfect your countertops as well.
By paying close attention during the cooking, eating and cleaning process, you ensure that you can enjoy your chicken dinner safely and in peace.Lemon-thyme chicken, everyone?
Elisabeth Bacharach
Elizabeth Bacharach is an assistant editor at Women's Health, where she writes and edits content on mental and physical health, diet and nutrition, sexual health and lifestyle trends on WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University, lives in New York City and dreams of being best friends with Ina Garten, who is undeniably an absolute queen.
