Kamil Perry
While cheese is a delicious and versatile food, some types of cheese can pose risks during pregnancy. The main concern is the risk of listeriosis, a serious infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which can lead to serious complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor, or infection in the newborn. However, most types of cheese are safe to consume during pregnancy, as long as they are made from pasteurized milk. Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to a specific temperature to kill harmful bacteria, including Listeria. So, while soft cheeses with a rind or blue veins, such as Brie or Gorgonzola, are more prone to bacterial growth and should be avoided, hard cheeses like Cheddar or Parmesan are safe choices.
Is cheese bad for pregnancy?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese to avoid during pregnancy | Unpasteurized cheese, including soft mould-ripened cheeses such as brie, Camembert, blue cheese, gorgonzola, and roquefort |
| Safe cheese during pregnancy | Pasteurized cheese, including hard cheese such as cheddar or parmesan, and soft cheese labelled as pasteurized, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, and goat's cheese |
| Risks of eating unpasteurized cheese during pregnancy | Listeriosis, a serious infection that can harm the baby |
| How to reduce the risk of listeriosis | Cooking unpasteurized cheese until it's steaming hot or "piping hot" kills the listeria bacteria |
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What You'll Learn
Pasteurised cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy
While cheese is one of the foods that pregnant women are warned to avoid, most types are actually okay to eat. Pasteurised cheese during pregnancy is considered safe. Pasteurisation is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill off harmful bacteria, such as Listeria, which can cause listeriosis. Listeriosis is a serious infection that can harm your baby.
In the United States, most cheeses found on supermarket shelves are safe to consume, including many soft cheeses. Nearly all cheeses made in the United States are pasteurised by default, but you may encounter unpasteurised cheese at a farmer's market or if you buy imported cheese. Therefore, it is important to always read labels carefully and look for the word "pasteurised" when choosing cheese.
Hard cheeses (such as cheddar or Parmesan) are considered the safest choice during pregnancy. This is because hard cheese contains less moisture than soft cheese, which makes it harder for potentially dangerous bacteria to grow, even if it is made from unpasteurised milk. Pasteurised soft cheeses with no rind, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, and goat's cheese, are also considered safe.
However, it is important to note that mould-ripened soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside, such as Brie, Camembert, and Chèvre, should be avoided unless cooked until steaming hot. This is because the white coating on the outside of these cheeses provides an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Cooking these cheeses until they are steaming hot kills the bacteria, reducing the risk of listeriosis.
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Unpasteurised cheese should be avoided during pregnancy
While cheese can be a healthy part of a pregnancy diet, unpasteurised cheese should be avoided. This is because unpasteurised cheese can contain the bacteria Listeria, which can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. This infection can be harmful to your baby.
Listeria is killed when heated to 165ºC, so there is less risk when eating unpasteurised cheese in cooked format. However, it is still recommended to avoid unpasteurised cheese altogether. Pasteurisation is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill off harmful bacteria. Therefore, it is best to stick to cheeses labelled as pasteurised.
In the United States, most cheeses found on shelves are safe to consume during pregnancy. However, unpasteurised cheese may be encountered at a farmer's market or when buying imported cheese. Soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside, such as brie, camembert, and chèvre, should be avoided unless cooked until steaming hot, as they have more moisture, which makes it easier for bacteria to grow.
Hard cheeses, such as cheddar or parmesan, are a safer choice during pregnancy. This is because they contain less moisture than soft cheese, reducing the odds of dangerous bacterial growth. Pasteurised cheese is another safe option, providing a good source of protein and calcium, which promotes strong bones and healthy growth in your baby.
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Cooking cheese until steaming hot kills bacteria
While cheese is a food that pregnant women are warned to avoid, most types are actually safe to eat. However, some cheeses are associated with a higher risk of listeriosis, a serious infection that can harm your baby. Listeriosis is caused by the bacteria Listeria, which can be found in raw, unpasteurized milk and other foods. As a result, experts recommend avoiding cheeses made with unpasteurized milk.
Pasteurization is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Cooking cheeses until they are steaming hot can kill the Listeria bacteria, reducing the risk of listeriosis. This is especially important for soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside, such as Brie, Camembert, and Chèvre, as well as blue cheeses like Danish Blue, Gorgonzola, and Roquefort. These cheeses have more moisture, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
To ensure food safety, it is recommended to cook these soft and blue cheeses until they are steaming hot. This can be achieved by incorporating them into cooked dishes, such as pizza or pasta. By cooking these cheeses thoroughly, you can reduce the risk of bacterial growth and make them safer to consume during pregnancy.
It is worth noting that hard cheeses, such as Cheddar or Parmesan, are generally safer choices during pregnancy. Hard cheeses contain less moisture, reducing the likelihood of bacterial growth even if made from unpasteurized milk. Additionally, pasteurized cheese is always a safe option, as the pasteurization process eliminates harmful bacteria.
While most cheeses found in the United States are pasteurized, unpasteurized cheeses may be encountered at farmer's markets or when purchasing imported cheese. Therefore, it is important to read labels carefully and look for the word "pasteurized" when selecting cheese during pregnancy. By combining safe cheese choices with thorough cooking practices, pregnant individuals can enjoy cheese while minimizing the risk of bacterial infections.
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Soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside are more likely to contain bacteria
While cheese can be a healthy part of a pregnancy diet, there are some types of cheese that should be avoided. Soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside, such as brie, camembert, and chèvre, are more likely to contain bacteria due to their higher moisture content. This makes it easier for bacteria to grow and increases the risk of listeriosis, a serious infection that can harm your baby. Listeriosis is caused by Listeria bacteria found in raw, unpasteurized milk and other foods.
To reduce the risk of listeriosis, it is recommended to avoid soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside unless they are cooked until steaming hot. Cooking the cheese kills the bacteria and reduces the risk of infection. However, it is important to note that not all soft cheeses are dangerous during pregnancy. Soft cheeses that are clearly labeled as pasteurized are generally safe to consume. Pasteurization is a process that involves heating milk to a specific temperature to kill potentially harmful bacteria.
In addition to soft cheeses, other types of cheese that are safe to consume during pregnancy include hard cheeses such as cheddar or Parmesan. Hard cheeses contain less moisture than soft cheeses, reducing the likelihood of bacterial growth even if made from unpasteurized milk. Pasteurized cheese, whether hard or soft, is generally considered safe for pregnant women.
Overall, while soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside are more likely to contain bacteria, there are still many cheese options available for pregnant women. It is important to read labels carefully and opt for pasteurized varieties or cooked soft cheeses to reduce the risk of bacterial infection.
If you are unsure about the safety of a particular cheese, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional or refer to guidance from a trusted source.
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Hard cheese is safer during pregnancy
While most types of cheese are safe to consume during pregnancy, it is important to be cautious about the types of cheese you eat. This is because some cheeses may contain harmful bacteria that can lead to infections such as listeriosis, which can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their babies.
Listeriosis is caused by the Listeria bacteria, which can be found in raw, unpasteurized milk and certain other foods. To protect yourself and your baby, it is recommended to avoid cheeses and other dairy products made with unpasteurized milk. Pasteurization is a process that involves heating food to a certain temperature to kill harmful bacteria, making it a safer choice during pregnancy.
Hard cheeses, such as cheddar or Parmesan, are generally considered safer options during pregnancy. This is because hard cheeses contain less moisture than soft cheeses, reducing the likelihood of dangerous bacterial growth, even if made from unpasteurized milk. However, it is still recommended to choose pasteurized varieties whenever possible.
When it comes to soft cheeses, it is crucial to be more cautious. Soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside, such as Brie, Camembert, and Chèvre, are often associated with a higher risk of bacterial growth due to their higher moisture content. To safely consume these cheeses during pregnancy, it is recommended to cook them until steaming hot, killing any harmful bacteria.
In summary, while enjoying cheese during pregnancy is generally safe, opting for hard cheeses or pasteurized varieties can further reduce the risk of bacterial infections. Remember to always read labels carefully and consult with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about food safety during pregnancy.
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Frequently asked questions
Most types of cheese are safe to eat during pregnancy, but there are some that should be avoided.
Soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside, such as brie, camembert, and chèvre, should be avoided unless cooked until steaming hot. This is because they have more moisture, which makes it easier for bacteria to grow.
Yes, it is recommended to avoid unpasteurized cheese as it can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can harm your baby.
Yes, there are some suitable alternatives to the cheeses that should be avoided during pregnancy. For example, Fontina can be a good substitute for gooey, exotic cheeses like cheddar.
