For many women, pregnancy is a momentous and special time of life. Eating a nutritious and balanced diet is essential for both the mother and baby’s health during this period. As expecting mothers plan out their dietary needs, it can be difficult to decide which foods are best to consume. One food that is often a source of confusion is queso fresco. Can you eat queso fresco while pregnant? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the potential benefits and risks of consuming queso fresco during pregnancy. We’ll also provide some useful tips for determining the best way to include queso fresco in your diet if you choose to do so. By educating yourself about the potential risks, you can make more informed decisions about what to eat while pregnant.
Why Is Cheese a (Potential) Pregnancy Problem?
But first: Why is our beloved cheese even a problem? Cheese has been connected to outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen that causes an illness that, at its worst, can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or death of a newborn.
And unlike most food dangers, which are problematic whether or not you are pregnant (E coli is a risk that affects everyone equally, pregnant women are more prone to listeria. One of the few foodborne illnesses, listeria, can harm both pregnant women and their unborn children, according to Dr. Tamika August, a Washington, DC-based OB/GYN. Although it’s the most prevalent of the uncommon diseases, it has the potential to do the most severe damage. ”.
Because of this, she includes avoiding cheese on her short list of advice for her patients. Even so, there’s some misinformation out there. Here are five myths about pregnancy and cheese, along with the truth about each.
Is Mexican Restaurant Queso Pasteurized and Pregnancy Safe?
Whether it’s queso fresco, queso de Oaxaca (a cheese that resembles a ball of mozzarella), or panela (a slightly harder cheese that is frequently fried), the majority of restaurant chains use pasteurized cheeses.
As a result, pregnant women can eat the majority of the queso served at Mexican restaurants, including queso dips.
The following popular restaurant chains are listed along with their pregnancy safety ratings.
We also have a Mexican food guide for pregnant women if you’d like to learn more about other varieties of Mexican food!
Pregnant women can eat any of Chipotle’s cheeses, including the queso at their Mexican restaurant.
Using pasteurized ingredients, Moe’s Southwest Grill’s renowned queso, shredded cheese, and sour cream are safe for pregnant women to consume.
Torchy’s – Made from pasteurized milk and cheeses, Torchy’s queso dip and tacos queso are safe to consume while pregnant.
Pregnant women can safely consume Qdoba Mexican Eats’ pasteurized cheddar, semisoft, and blue cheese queso.
Because they contain pasteurized milk and soy, Taco John’s Nacho Cheese and Queso Blanco are safe to consume while pregnant.
When you’re pregnant, you can also eat Taco Bell’s Salsa Con Queso dip, Quesadilla sauce, and Nacho Cheese.
Pregnancy-safe ingredients include El Pollo Loco’s queso sauce and queso fresco/blanco.
Del Taco. Del Taco’s queso is used in their queso dip, loaded fries, and nachos, among other dishes. , is safe to eat when you’re pregnant.
Chuy’s Tex-Mex: Their cheese sauce and queso dip are both suitable for pregnant women.
Ask if the queso being used in independent restaurants has been pasteurized while dining there.
Many American Mexican restaurants serve it, but since queso is customarily made with raw milk in Mexico, it is best to inquire to be certain. However, since the heat will have destroyed any potentially dangerous bacteria, you can consume hot, cooked queso dip.
Pregnancy Safe Queso Brands:
Tostitos Queso Dips (such as Smooth and Cheesy Dip, Medium Queso Blanco, and Salsa Con Queso) Tostitos makes the cheese that goes into their dips from pasteurized milk.
Pasteurized milk is used to make all Cacique Dips (Ranchero® Queso Fresco, Panela, Queso Blanco, etc.).
It’s also okay to eat El Mexicano (Queso Fresco, Queso Oaxaca, Panela, Nacho Cheese Sauce, etc.).
Don Francisco is also produced under the same stringent hygiene standards as Queso Fresco, Panela, Fresco Michoacano, etc.
Another well-known brand (along with Queso Fresco, Queso Chihuahua, and Queso Del Caribe) is VV Supremo.
La Morenita (Queso Fresco, Queso Panela, etc.) is good too.
Also widely accessible is Los Altos (Queso Panela, Queso Fresco, and Queso Blanco).
FAQ
What happens if I eat queso fresco while pregnant?
Is queso fresco cheese pasteurized?
Can I eat queso fresco made with pasteurized milk?