Being pregnant is something extraordinary. It is essential to have a well-balanced diet, but it could be challenging to be informed of all the dietary rules of safe and healthy pregnancy. Being pregnant needs paying attention to certain types of food. Is it safe to eat musty cheese when you’re pregnant? It is complicated to find a complete list of food that you should avoid during pregnancy. This article will explain why you should avoid eating musty cheese when you are pregnant, the problems that are associated with eating musty cheese and what you need to do in case you already ate it.
Can you eat musty cheese during pregnancy?
For cheese lovers, it is important to be aware of what types of cheese are not dangerous to eat during pregnancy. Is musty cheese a part of that list? The answer is no, it is not safe to eat musty cheese while pregnant.
What are the problems that come from eating musty cheese when you’re pregnant and what types of cheese are to prevent during pregnancy?
The problems of eating musty cheese when you are pregnant
The two diseases that can come from eating musty cheese while pregnant are toxoplasmosis and listeriosis.
Toxoplasmosis can come from eating unwashed vegetables or fruits, uncooked fish and uncooked meat. Contact with cat stool is another example.
Listeriosis is the main risk. This disease is associated to a bacterium (Listeria) that proliferates in uncooked cheese. Once ingested by the mother, it can contaminate the fetus and cause a serious infection that can result in premature birth. It is essential to prevent eating musty cheese during pregnancy.
If you have to know more about listeriosis:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/listeriosis
Cheeses that aren’t recommended during pregnancy
When you are pregnant, it is not recommended to eat musty cheese..
Right here is a short list of cheeses that are to avoid during pregnancy:
- Fresh cheeses
- Soft cheeses made from raw or non-pasteurized milk: such as Brie, Camembert, Emmental made from raw milk, …
- Soft cheeses with mould rinds: Chavignol, coulommiers, …
- Blue cheese: Auvergne blue, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, …
- Semi-hard cheeses made from raw or non-pasteurized milk
- Feta cheese
Food search engine during pregnancy
Is there a not dangerous way of eating musty cheese during pregnancy?
Yes, there are safe ways of eating musty cheese during pregnancy. It must be cooked at very high temperatures, like raclette, and without the rind. Cheese fondue, for instance, isn’t cooked enough. If you’re unsure if whether or not the cheese is properly cooked, do not eat it- it will save you from worrying about it.
What if I’m pregnant and already ate musty cheese?
If you cooked it at a high temperature, there’s nothing to worry about- the Listeria bacterium cannot withstand the heat.
If you ate it insufficiently cooked or not cooked at all, do not be alarmed. Our advice is for you to wait and see if you have any symptoms like fever or headaches. If that happens within two months, you should certainly see a doctor and have a blood test done. In case you are diagnosed with listeria, you will be prescribed with antibiotics.
We remind you that the risk of contamination with Listeria is low and not all that common, so there is no need to be over-alarmed.
Conclusion
You might avoid eating musty cheese when you are pregnant, in order to stay far from the problems that can come from that. Even though it isn’t advisable to eat musty cheese during pregnancy, there are plenty of other things that are good for you and your baby.
