Pregnancy is something extraordinary. It is essential to have a well-balanced diet, but it can be challenging to be aware 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 unpasteurized cheese when you’re pregnant? It is complicated to find a complete list of food that you should avoid during pregnancy. This article will detail why you should avoid eating unpasteurized cheese when you are pregnant, the risks that are associated with eating unpasteurized cheese and what you need to do in case you already ate it.
Is it ok eat unpasteurized cheese during pregnancy?
For cheese lovers, it is important to be aware of what types of cheese are safe to eat during pregnancy. Is unpasteurized cheese a part of that list? The answer is no, it isn’t safe to eat unpasteurized cheese while you are pregnant.
What are the risks that come from eating unpasteurized cheese when you’re pregnant and what types of cheese are to avoid during pregnancy?
The risks of eating unpasteurized cheese when you are pregnant
The two diseases that can come from eating unpasteurized cheese during pregnancy are toxoplasmosis and listeriosis.
Toxoplasmosis can come from eating unwashed vegetables or fruits, uncooked fish and uncooked meat. All contact with cat stool is another example.
Listeriosis is the main risk. This disease is linked 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 avoid eating unpasteurized cheese during pregnancy.
If you have to find out more about listeriosis:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/listeriosis
Cheeses that are not advised during pregnancy
When you are pregnant, it is not advised to eat unpasteurized cheese..
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 safe way of eating unpasteurized cheese during pregnancy?
Yes, there are safe ways of eating unpasteurized cheese during pregnancy. It needs to 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 unpasteurized 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 signs of illness like fever or headaches. If that happens within two months, you should 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 has to avoid eating unpasteurized cheese when you are pregnant, in order to stay far from the risks that can come from that. Even though it isn’t advisable to eat unpasteurized cheese during pregnancy, there are plenty of other things that are good for you and your baby.