Updated May 8, 2023
Ninety-Nine is a beloved New England restaurant chain.
You are not alone if you have been wondering: Can I eat at Ninety-Nine while Pregnant?
Ninety-Nine is one of our favorite places to go for a weeknight meal after work.
Ninety-Nine is famous for its boneless wings, delicious seafood dishes, and extensive drink menu.
It is a great place for a dinner out.
If you are going to eat at ninety-nine during pregnancy there are a few things you should know before you go.
So before you dive into those gold fever wings and loaded tots let’s chat.
Can I eat Ninety-Nine while pregnant?
Yes, you can eat at Ninety-Nine while pregnant.
Our OB/GYN Dr. Doug Penta, MD said that generally speaking it is safe to eat at Ninety-Nine restaurant while pregnant.
You’ll need to follow a few simple tips when ordering and making smart choices is important.
- When choosing your meal pick items that are lower in fat and calories.
Ninety-Nine’s menu is full of lower-calorie and lower-fat options that are perfect to enjoy during pregnancy.
Choose dishes that have grilled chicken or fish as the main entree, like grilled balsamic chicken, baked haddock, or roasted salmon.
You can choose broccoli or grilled asparagus as one of your sides to round out a healthy meal.
- Order the soup and salad
They have a good selection of salads that are not only delicious but are packed with nutrition that both you and your baby need.
- House Salad: Diced tomato, sliced cucumber, shredded Cheddar cheese, and croutons on mixed greens with a choice of dressing.
- Double Bleu Iceberg Wedge: Crisp iceberg lettuce topped with a house-made bleu cheese dressing, diced tomatoes, and crispy bacon bits.
- Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad: Sliced chicken breast, fresh apples, dried cranberries, and candied pecans on a bed of romaine lettuce with raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
Ninety-Nine’s creamy clam chowder and New England seafood chowder can be enjoyed with a side of crackers or croutons.
When ordering a salad at Ninety-Nine you should avoid blue cheese and caesar dressing.
They are not safe to consume during pregnancy.
Ask that salads be made with no blue cheese crumbles.
It is safe to eat ranch dressing at Ninety-Nine.
They use a commercially prepared dressing that is pasteurized.
- If you choose a burger, fried fish, or fried chicken watch the portion size
It is important to watch how many calories you eat during pregnancy.
Some menu items are over 1500 calories!
So plan to split a large dish or take half home for the next day.
- You’ll want to limit your consumption of dishes made with sauces that are loaded with sugar.
That includes dishes like the Honey BBQ Chicken Wrap.
Sounds delicious, but there are so many other options on the menu that are lower in calories, sugar, and fat.
- If you order an appetizer share it with the table and only eat a small portion.
We couldn’t leave out the discussion of the Ninety-Nine appetizers.
We can go to Ninety-Nine and eat only appetizers and be completely satisfied.
To say we are diehard gold fever wings fans would be an understatement!
And yes, the gold fever wings are safe to eat while pregnant.
But they are not the healthiest option because the chicken is fried.
A healthier appetizer would be the crispy cauliflower or a chicken fajita flatbread.
Get a bowl of popcorn to share and you can order a side of cheese and crackers if you don’t want a big appetizer.
But if you are like me and have to have their famous gold fever wings, it is OK to indulge in a couple of them, but don’t go overboard.
What are some of the dishes that are safe to eat at Ninety-Nine while pregnant?
Ninety-Nine offers a good variety of menu items. to choose from during pregnancy
The best and safest choices are dishes that aren’t deep fried and served with vegetables, such as Baked haddock and Roasted Salmon.
Their soup and chowders are a safe and excellent choice.
They have a grilled balsamic chicken that is a pregnancy-safe choice.
Here are a few of our favorite Ninety-Nine Pregnancy-Safe favorites:
- Baked Haddock: Fresh haddock, lightly seasoned and oven-baked. Baked haddock is a healthy option because it is a low-fat source of protein and essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B12 and D, and minerals like phosphorus and selenium.
- Roasted Salmon: A fresh Atlantic salmon filet, citrus marinade, roasted and served with steamed vegetables Eating roasted salmon can be a good choice during pregnancy because it is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for fetal brain and eye development.
- Cauliflower Tacos: Cauliflower, green onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, and cilantro on top of soft tortillas. Crispy cauliflower tacos may be a good option to eat during pregnancy because cauliflower is a nutritious vegetable that is high in vitamins and minerals that are important for your baby’s development and health.
- Grilled Balsamic Chicken: Juicy grilled chicken breast, roasted peppers and onions, and mushrooms served with balsamic sauce. Grilled balsamic chicken may be a good choice to order during pregnancy because it is a lean source of protein that is low in fat and calories.
- Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad: Grilled chicken, apples, cranberries, celery, and walnuts served on a bed of romaine lettuce.
- House Salad: Diced tomato, sliced cucumber, shredded Cheddar cheese, and croutons on mixed greens
- Soup & Salad: Broccoli Cheddar Soup or Seafood chowder with a side house salad is an option I enjoy when I don’t want to feel too stuffed to move.
What are some menu items that I should avoid while pregnant?
You should avoid the following menu items while pregnant:
Fried Foods – loaded tots, fried boneless wings, fried chicken, and fried mozzarella moons.
Having said that sharing a deep-fried appetizer with other people and having a small portion is fine.
As long as eating fried foods does not make you feel sick.
Some women find that during pregnancy eating fried foods causes them to have heartburn or makes their morning sickness symptoms much worse.
Alcoholic Beverages – Alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy.
There is no known safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed during pregnancy.
If you decide to eat a meal that is higher in calories you may want to plan to eat a smaller portion and take the rest home for the next day and you may want to eat lower-calorie meals before you go out to eat.
I would do that during pregnancy when I knew I’d be eating a high-calorie dinner that I really wanted.
I would eat a lower-calorie breakfast and lunch and bring home the next day’s leftovers.
Buffalo Mac and Cheese- It has almost 1600 calories!
It is loaded with fat and it is best to skip this dish during pregnancy.
Ninety-Nine Nutritional information for pregnancy-friendly menu options:
- Baked Haddock: 590 calories, 31 grams fat, Carbs: 20 grams, Protein: 56 grams
- Roasted Salmon: 670 calories, 53 grams fat, Carbs: 3 grams, Protein: 42 grams
- Cauliflower Tacos with brown rice: 1250 calories, 6.5 grams, Carbs 125 grams, Protein: 18 grams
- Grilled Balsamic Chicken: 440 calories, 17 grams fat, carbs: 24 grams, Protein: 46 grams
- Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad: 700 calories, 35 grams fat, Carbs: 56 grams, Protein: 38 grams
- House Salad: 110 calories, 3 grams fat, Carbs: 18 grams, Protein 5 grams
- Southwest Fajita Bowls: 610 calories, 28 grams fat, Carbs: 81 grams, Protein:10 grams
These are a few of the healthier options on the Ninety-Nine menu that are good pregnancy-safe options.
How can I make sure that I am eating safely at Ninety-Nine while pregnant?
- Start with a house salad
- Choosing the grilled chicken, baked haddock, or roasted salmon dishes
- Make sure your meal is completely cooked and send it back if you are not sure.
- Skip the deep-fried appetizers.
Is it safe to eat out during pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe to eat out in restaurants while pregnant.
Eating out is an enjoyable social activity that many look forward too1
It is important when eating out in restaurants during your pregnancy that you watch your portion sizes, and watch out for high fat, high sodium, and sugar-loaded sauced.
Also, it is critical to make sure the foods you order are cooked completely before you consume them.
Helpful tips for eating at Ninety-Nine while pregnant:
1. Join the waitlist before you arrive and skip the line
Ninety-Nine suggests that you join their waitlist before you arrive.
They don’t take advanced reservations.
Wait times at Ninety-Nine can be long.
We waited 45 minutes to over an hour for a table on more than one occasion.
Getting on the waitlist prior to arrival will help to ensure that you get a table at a time that is convenient for you and you won’t be standing and waiting for an hour or more!
2. Plan to start with soup and salad
Ninety-Nine offers a soup and salad combo.
Start with that.
This will allow you to eat a smaller portion of a high-calorie entree and have some to take home for lunch the next day.
They have delicious broccoli and cheddar soup or seafood chowder.
3. Make smart menu choices
When ordering your meal, be sure to take your own needs into consideration.
If you’re feeling tired or nauseous, for example, you might want to avoid heavy meals or foods high in fat and grease.
Instead, opt for lighter fare such as a salad, or roasted salmon
Also, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout your meal to stay hydrated.
4. Ask for what you need
We have always found the waitstaff at ninety-Nine to be extremely helpful.
If you have any special requests or needs, don’t hesitate to ask the waitstaff for assistance.
For example, if you want your chicken or fish cooked a little longer don’t hesitate to ask.
5. Ask for a take-out box
If you are getting full ask for a take-out box
That way you can enjoy the rest of your meal the next day.
If you want a dessert get one to go and enjoy with your partner or friends later on at home.
6. Choose Broccoli or grilled asparagus instead of french fries
It can be tempting to order french fries as a side with your meal, but you’ll save fat and calories if you go with fresh vegetables instead.
If you want potatoes, you are better off getting a side of mashed potatoes.
Tips for eating out in restaurants while pregnant:
- Skip the buffet – you don’t know how fresh the food is or how well it’s been cooked. Not going to be an issue at Ninety-Nine, but a good tip to keep in mind as you plan where to eat out during pregnancy.
- Stick to restaurants that you know and trust – this way you can be sure that the food is fresh and of good quality.
- When in doubt, ask your waiter or waitress for recommendations on safe dishes to eat while pregnant.
- Order simple dishes that are easy to digest.
- Avoid anything with raw eggs or undercooked meat.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Beware of hidden sources of sodium in restaurant food
- Avoid foods made with unpasteurized dairy products.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a modification to your meal!
What foods should I not eat while pregnant?
- Foods that are not pasteurized– certain types of cheese like soft cheeses, Brie, Blue Cheese, etc.
- Certain types of fish– shark, swordfish, anything high in mercury
- Raw eggs including egg nog, hollandaise sauce, homemade mayonnaise, homemade eggnog, and runny eggs.
- Undercooked meats– lunch meats. Deli meats.
- Hot foods that are not “hot”, avoid hot foods that have been sitting out without a warming source. Same for foods that should be eaten cold. If no ice or refrigeration source is keeping the food cold, take a pass.
- Caffeine– soda, chocolate, and energy drinks. (Limit your caffeine to less than 200 mg a day)
- Herbal Teas (There are so many ingredients in herbal teas so it is best to avoid them simply. Green tea is OK.)
- Alcohol: There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Avoid sauces made with alcohol, desserts made with alcohol, and all alcoholic beverages.
How to eat healthy during pregnancy:
Eating healthily during pregnancy is essential to the development of your baby.
Here are some tips to help make sure you are getting the nutrients you need:
- Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. This will help ensure you get the vitamins, minerals, and fiber you need.
- Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of caffeine. These can all lead to unhealthy weight gain and other problems during pregnancy.
- Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is important for both your health and the baby’s health.
- Don’t skip meals. Eating small, frequent meals will help to keep your energy up and prevent you from overeating later on.
- Eating small frequent meals can help decrease morning sickness and heartburn
