Frederic Melton
Pregnancy is a time of joy and anticipation, but it also comes with many questions, especially when it comes to your diet. One food that gets an especially bad rap but shouldn't is cheese. The reality is, most – but not all – cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy. The main concern with eating cheese during pregnancy is the risk of listeriosis, a serious infection that can harm your baby. This infection is caused by the bacteria Listeria, which is found in raw, unpasteurized milk and certain other foods. To minimize the risk of listeriosis, it is best to avoid cheeses made from unpasteurized milk and certain soft cheeses that can harbour Listeria even if they are pasteurized.
Is Cheddar Cheese Safe During Pregnancy?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hard cheese | Safe to consume |
| Pasteurized cheese | Safe to consume |
| Unpasteurized cheese | Unsafe to consume |
| Soft cheese with a rind or blue veins | Unsafe to consume |
| Soft cheese | Safe to consume if pasteurized or cooked until steaming hot |
| Alcohol | Unsafe to consume |
| Liver and liver products | Unsafe to consume |
| Enoki mushrooms | Unsafe to consume unless thoroughly cooked |
| Raw or undercooked meat | Unsafe to consume |
| Cold cured meats | Unsafe to consume unless cooked thoroughly |
| Fruits, vegetables, and salads | Safe to consume if thoroughly washed |
| Liquorice | Safe to consume, but avoid liquorice root |
| Caffeinated drinks | Safe to consume in moderation |
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar is safe to eat during pregnancy if it's pasteurised
Cheddar cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy, as long as it's pasteurised. Pasteurisation is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill off harmful bacteria, including Listeria. Listeriosis, an infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, can lead to serious complications including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labour, or infection in the newborn.
Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. Therefore, it is important to check the labels of the cheese products you are consuming and look for the word "pasteurised". In general, safe cheeses will be found in the standard dairy cooler area of your grocery store.
If you are unsure whether a cheese is pasteurised and it's not steaming hot, it is best to skip it. However, most cheeses found on the shelves in the United States are safe to consume, including many soft cheeses that are traditionally associated with being unsafe. Nearly all cheeses made in the United States are pasteurised by default, but you may come across unpasteurised cheese at a farmer's market or if you buy imported cheese.
Cheddar is a hard cheese, and hard cheeses are generally considered safe during pregnancy. This is because they contain less moisture, which reduces the likelihood of bacterial growth. In addition to cheddar, other examples of hard cheeses include Parmesan and Gruyere.
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Avoid unpasteurised cheeses, which can cause listeriosis
Cheddar cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy, as long as it is pasteurised. Pasteurisation is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill off harmful bacteria.
Pregnant people are about 10 times more likely than other adults to develop listeriosis, a serious infection that can be harmful to the baby and cause complications including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labour, or infection in the newborn. It is caused by the bacteria Listeria, which can be found in raw, unpasteurised milk and certain other foods. Therefore, it is important to avoid unpasteurised cheeses, which can cause listeriosis.
In general, hard cheeses such as cheddar, Parmesan, or Gruyere are safe to consume during pregnancy. Hard cheeses contain less moisture than soft cheese, which makes it difficult for bacteria to grow even if the cheese is made from unpasteurised milk. However, it is still recommended to stick to pasteurised varieties. Most cheeses found on shelves in the United States are safe to consume and are pasteurised by default. However, unpasteurised cheese may be found at a farmer's market or if you buy imported cheese.
When choosing cheeses, always read the labels carefully and look for the word "pasteurised". If it is unclear from the packaging, ask a store associate before purchasing. If you are dining out, don't hesitate to ask the server or chef about the ingredients used. In addition, cooking cheese until it is steaming hot can kill harmful bacteria.
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Listeriosis is a serious infection that can harm your baby
Cheddar cheese is generally safe to eat during pregnancy as long as it is made from pasteurized milk. Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to a temperature that kills harmful bacteria, including Listeria. Cheddar is a hard cheese, and hard cheeses contain less moisture, which reduces the likelihood of bacterial growth.
To minimize the risk of listeriosis, it is best to avoid cheeses made from unpasteurized milk and certain soft cheeses that can harbor Listeria even if they are pasteurized. Soft cheeses with a rind or blue veins, such as Brie or Gorgonzola, should be avoided during pregnancy as they are more prone to bacterial growth.
If you are unsure whether a cheese is pasteurized, look for the word "pasteurized" on the label. You can also check the ingredients list to see if the cheese is made with pasteurized milk. If you are still unsure, it is best to skip that particular cheese. In general, safe cheeses will be found in the standard dairy cooler area of your grocery store.
It is important to note that cooking cheese until it is steaming hot can kill harmful bacteria, so if you are craving a dish with soft cheese, consider cooking it until it is piping hot. Additionally, most cheeses found on the shelves in the United States are safe to consume, and you can safely enjoy cheese while pregnant by choosing pasteurized varieties and avoiding those that pose a higher risk of contamination.
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Hard cheeses are safe to eat during pregnancy
It is safe to eat hard cheeses during pregnancy, such as cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere. Hard cheeses contain less moisture than soft cheese, which reduces the likelihood of bacterial growth even if they are made from unpasteurized milk. Pasteurized cheese during pregnancy is also considered safe.
In general, most cheeses found in the United States are safe to consume, including many soft cheeses typically associated with being unsafe. Nearly all cheeses made in the United States are pasteurized by default, but unpasteurized cheese may be encountered at a farmer's market or if imported cheese is purchased at a grocery store. Therefore, it is important to check the labels of soft cheeses to ensure they are made with pasteurized milk.
The main concern with eating cheese during pregnancy is the risk of listeriosis, a serious infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population, which can lead to serious complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor, or infection in the newborn. Listeria bacteria can be found in raw, unpasteurized milk and certain other foods. As a result, experts recommend avoiding any cheeses or dairy products made using unpasteurized milk.
To minimize the risk of listeriosis, it is best to choose hard cheeses or pasteurized soft cheeses during pregnancy. Pasteurization is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Cooking cheese until it is steaming hot can also kill harmful bacteria, so soft cheeses that are cooked until steaming hot are generally safe to consume.
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Soft cheeses are safe to eat if they're pasteurised or cooked
Cheddar cheese is generally safe to eat during pregnancy, as long as it is pasteurised. Pasteurisation is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill off harmful bacteria, such as Listeria. Listeria can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can harm your baby.
Soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, goat's cheese, and cheese spreads, are also safe to eat during pregnancy, as long as they are pasteurised or cooked until steaming hot. Cooking cheese until it's steaming hot kills bacteria, reducing the risk of listeriosis.
It is important to check the labels of soft cheeses carefully to ensure that they are made with pasteurised milk. If the packaging is unclear, it is recommended to ask a store associate before purchasing. If you are dining out, don't hesitate to ask your server or chef about the ingredients used in dishes.
In general, safe cheeses will be found in the standard dairy cooler area of your grocery store. It is also a good idea to buy individual blocks or bags of shredded cheese, rather than having your cheese cut from a wheel, to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.
Overall, by choosing pasteurised cheeses and avoiding those that pose a higher risk of contamination, you can safely enjoy cheese while protecting your baby's health.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is safe to eat cheddar cheese during pregnancy. Hard cheeses like cheddar are generally safe to eat during pregnancy.
Pasteurized soft cheeses are also safe to eat during pregnancy. Examples include cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, and goat's cheese without a rind.
Unpasteurized cheese should be avoided during pregnancy as it may contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria, which can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can harm the baby.
Symptoms of listeriosis may include diarrhea, upset stomach, fever, and muscle aches. If you suspect you have been exposed to Listeria, contact your doctor, who can test for infection and provide treatment if necessary.
Yes, it is recommended to avoid raw or undercooked meats, cured meats, liver and liver products, and unpasteurized juices and dairy products. It is also important to thoroughly wash fruits, vegetables, and salads to remove any soil that may be present.
