When it comes to pregnancy, expectant mothers often look to their doctors and nutritionists for advice on what they can and cannot eat. With so many things off the table, it can be confusing to keep track of it all. One food item commonly questioned is pasteurized cheese – can you eat pasteurized cheese while pregnant?
The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. The safety of pasteurized cheese for expectant mothers depends on a number of factors, such as the type of cheese, the stage of pregnancy, and the overall health of the mother. In this blog post, we’ll examine the risks and benefits of eating pasteurized cheese during pregnancy and provide tips for staying safe and healthy.
We’ll also answer some common questions about cheese safety, such as how to tell if cheese is pasteurized, which types of cheese to avoid, and what other dietary precautions should be taken when eating cheese during pregnancy. With the right information
More on What to Eat During Pregnancy
Listeria enters the bloodstream directly, unlike other bacteria, and can quickly reach a baby, potentially causing miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, or serious illness (or even death) in a newborn. Even though there is a very low chance that you will get listeriosis overall, it is more likely to cause issues during pregnancy. Even though third-trimester risks may be higher, experts (such as the CDC and ACOG) advise taking precautions to avoid listeria infection throughout pregnancy.
What does that mean for your upcoming Greek salad, serving of blue cheese crumbs, or plate of fresh mozzarella? If you are certain that the soft cheese you are selecting is made with pasteurized milk, only say “yes, please” to soft cheese (such as queso blanco, queso fresco, panela, soft goat, brie, Camembert, any blue-veined cheese, feta, paneer). The same is true of processed cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta, cream cheese, and other types of cheese that have been pasteurized.
Imported cheese typically has a higher likelihood of being unpasteurized than domestic cheese. To make sure a cheese is made from pasteurized milk, check the label at the market. If you’re ordering soft cheese at a restaurant, be sure to ask first (and if you’re unsure of the response, order something else). While heating a soft cheese until it is bubbly can eliminate harmful bacteria, most soft cheeses are difficult to accomplish this with.
The CDC has connected some listeria infection outbreaks to Mexican-style soft cheeses made from pasteurized milk but under less-than-reliable sanitary conditions, with contamination most likely occurring during the cheese-making process, if you want to be extra, extra safe.
Even when made from unpasteurized milk, hard cheese is not regarded as a listeria risk because it has a significantly lower moisture content than soft cheese (bacteria thrive best in moist environments). But why consume raw cheese when pasteurized cheese is so widely available?
Listeria is not exclusive to (soft) cheese; as you may be aware, it can also be found in deli meats, smoked fish, raw sprouts, unpasteurized milk, and unpasteurized juice.
Of course you are anticipating the arrival of your baby bundle (and so am I; be on the lookout for photos on my Instagram and Facebook at @HeidiMurkoff) You can also anticipate falling head over heels for soft cheese once more. Breastfeeding and brie (as well as feta and all types of quesos) go together without the risk of listeria.
What to Expect creator Heidi Murkoff answers your most pressing pregnancy and parenting questions in her weekly advice column, Heidi Help Me, Heidi! If you have a question, ask her because she is currently covering the material you are most interested in.
However, according to recent data from the FDA, Listeria is only present in unpasteurized feta, Brie, Camembert, queso blanco, queso fresco, blue cheeses, and other soft cheeses. Those made from pasteurized milk are OK.
Pregnant women have been advised by the federal agency to consume only hard cheeses for years. The cause is the potential for Listeria, a common bug that can be fatal to unborn children, to cause food poisoning. The germ is frequently present in soft cheeses and precooked meats like hot dogs and deli meats.
Nov. 5, 2003 — The FDA has announced that pregnant women can consume soft cheese after all, but only if it is made from pasteurized milk.
How can you tell? Read the label. Avoid products that don’t explicitly state that they are made from pasteurized milk or that they are made from raw milk.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to consume any prepared or precooked food as soon as you can.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have a standard laundry list of items that expectant women should not consume. Together, these organizations guarantee the security of the country’s food supply and carry out food-related federal laws. Given that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports their recommendations, it is customary for ob-gyns, family doctors, and midwives to advise patients to stay away from particular foods that could increase their risk of contracting Listeria.
Cheese is one of the best all-around sources of nutrition out there, being high in fat and protein, rich in many nutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and fiber. Additionally, if you’re anything like me, cheese helps you get through a nine-month meat aversion.
Another suggestion is to purchase individual rounds of pasteurized cheese rather than slices that have been cut from a larger wheel for women who crave soft, buttery cheese. These pose no threat of cross-contamination from cheese counter cutting. Look for popular Brie and Camembert brands like La Bonne Vie, Le Châtelain, or Président that come in eight- or nine-ounce rounds, as well as American artisan cheeses like Harbison from Jasper Hill Farm or Green Hill from Sweet Grass Dairy.
I don’t recall the dietary recommendations my midwife gave me when I was expecting my first daughter, but I can definitely remember them the second time around. Perhaps because I was told not to eat unpasteurized cheese, “like soft cheese or blue or…well,” at the end of the standard “don’t consume” laundry list (no alcohol, hot dogs, deli meat, or sushi), I feel that way. You know. ”.
As Dr. “Everything we do carries a little bit of risk, so in the end these decisions are personal,” said Katherine McCleary, clinical assistant professor of family medicine at Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School. When I am well-informed, I find it much simpler to make a confident decision. So, to recap:
FAQ
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