Pregnant women may be more likely to eat pork, such as ham, because of the higher levels of protein, iron, and zinc in the meat. This could be a risk for the development of the baby, so it is important to follow your doctor's advice. If you are unsure of what to eat, or practicing a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may be wondering if you can eat ham while you are pregnant. The answer is yes. It is important to follow your doctor's advice, and you should avoid high levels of nitrites.