What cheeses can you have when pregnant

Eating well in pregnancy | Ready Steady Baby!

Eating a diet of different groups of foods is the best way for you to stay healthy, and help your baby grow and develop.

Importance of eating well in pregnancy

Having a good diet and being active will:

increase your chances of becoming pregnant
improve the likelihood of having a healthy baby
reduce the risk of complications
make your recovery and healing easier after the birth

Sometimes cost can be a barrier to eating healthily. The Scottish Government has a range of support available to help people with the cost of living.

Read more about the support to available to help with the cost of living

What eating well means

Eating well means:

eating more healthy foods containing folic acid, iron and iodine
limiting intake of high fat and high sugar foods
taking vitamin supplements containing vitamin D
drinking lots of fluids but only small amounts of caffeine
not drinking alcohol at all
taking care how you prepare and store food

How to eat a healthy balanced diet

Best start foods

As well as your free vitamins, you could be eligible for a Best Start Foods payment card to help you buy some food basics, including milk and fruit and vegetables.

More about Best Start Foods

Dieting

Dieting to lose weight in pregnancy isn't recommended, even if you're overweight to begin with.

Some weight gain in pregnancy is normal and includes the weight of your baby, the placenta and amniotic fluid.

Cravings

Some foods taste different as your sense of taste can change when you’re pregnant. This is caused by hormonal changes in your body.

You might find you can’t eat foods you used to enjoy or crave them if they start to taste better. If you're craving high-fat or high-sugar foods, try to limit them and eat regular balanced meals and healthy snacks instead.

Food to avoid

To reduce the chance of harming yourself or your baby, you should avoid certain foods.

Some dairy

You should avoid eating:

unpasteurised semi-hard and soft cheeses (unless cooked until steaming hot)
all mould-ripened soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside, such as brie, camembert and chèvre (unless cooked until steaming hot)
soft blue cheeses such as Danish Blue, Gorgonzola and Roquefort (unless cooked until steaming hot)
any unpasteurised cow’s, goat’s or sheep’s milk or cream

Liver and pâté

Liver and liver products such as pâté or liver sausage can have large amounts of vitamin A. This can be harmful for your baby. All types of pâté, including vegetable versions, can have listeria in them. It’s best to avoid them.

Some fish

Do not eat swordfish, marlin, shark or raw shellfish.

Do not eat smoked fish products, including smoked salmon and smoked trout, unless thoroughly cooked as they can present a risk of Listeria. This includes in sushi.

Some meats

You should not eat game meat, such as hare, partridge or pheasant due to the presence of lead. You should also not eat raw or rare meat as this can cause food poisoning.

Always make sure any meat you eat is well cooked and steaming hot all the way through. You should not be able to see any pink meat and the juices should run clear.

Too much oily fish or tuna

Try not to have more than two portions of oily fish a week. Oily fish includes mackerel, sardines and trout.

Tuna is not classed as an oily fish, but do not eat more than two tuna steaks (about 140g cooked or 170g when raw) or four medium-size cans of tuna (about 140g when drained) per week.

Sprouted seeds

These need to be cooked well until they are hot throughout to make sure they do not make you ill.

Unwashed fruit and vegetables

Be careful with fruits, vegetables and salads as they can have soil on them, which can make you unwell. Make sure to thoroughly wash all fruits, vegetables and salad ingredients.

Safe foods

During pregnancy it's safe to eat:

cooked fish
sushi, but only if the fish has been cooked thoroughly
seafood/shellfish as long as it has been cooked, for example mussels, lobster, crab, oysters, scallops, clams and cold, pre-cooked prawns
Peanuts and other nuts (unless you're allergic) - eating nuts when pregnant will not affect whether or not your baby has a peanut allergy
spicy food - there's no reason to avoid spicy foods
honey - it's ok for you to eat honey, but you should not give it to your baby until they're over a year old

Dairy foods

You're safe to eat some milk and dairy foods, including:

All hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan or Gruyere
Pasteurised semi-hard and soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, cream cheese, cheese spreads, or goat's cheese without a white coating on the outside (rind)
Any cheese that has been thoroughly cooked until steaming hot
Pasteurised milk and yoghurt

Pasteurised cream and ice cream are safe, but are not considered 'dairy' by The Eatwell Guide and have high sugar and fat content.

Eggs

You can eat runny or even raw eggs as long as they are pasteurised, or have the British Lion Code mark on them, or are Laid in Britain (LIB) eggs.

Foods made with these eggs are also safe to eat. This includes:

mayonnaise
ice cream
salad dressing
mousse

Make sure that duck, goose and quail eggs are thoroughly cooked.

If you’re eating out and not sure if they use British Lion Code or Laid in Britain eggs, ask the staff to find out for you.

Healthy drinks

Aim to have 6 to 8 200ml glasses of water or other fluids every day, and:

try different kinds of drinks, such as sugar-free squash, decaf tea and coffee, fizzy water, fruit juice or smoothies
limit fruit juice or smoothies to 150 ml per day with meals to help to prevent damage to your teeth

Decaffeinated coffee and tea are safe to drink during pregnancy.

Do not drink alcohol during pregnancy.

Water

Drink plenty of water when you’re pregnant to keep hydrated and stop you getting constipated, especially in your last 3 months.

You should boil water before you drink it if you get your drinking water from a private supply, such as a well, borehole or spring. The quality of water from private supplies can vary a lot and when it’s poor it can cause health problems.

Herbal drinks

During pregnancy you should:

have no more than 4 cups of herbal or green tea a day as there isn't enough evidence about their effect on developing babies
avoid teas that contain ginseng or echinacea as doctors aren’t sure what effects they might have when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding

Talk to your midwife if you’re unsure about using any herbal products.

Caffeine

Caffeine's found naturally in chocolate, coffee and tea (including green tea). It’s also added to some:

soft drinks
energy drinks
cold and flu remedies

Having too much caffeine when you’re pregnant can:

increase your risk of miscarriage
affect how your baby grows
cause your baby to be small and underweight - this can lead to health problems later in life

If you have too much caffeine, your baby can start to withdraw from it when they're born. This makes them irritable.

How much caffeine's safe?

While you’re pregnant it’s important to have no more than 200mg of caffeine a day.

Food or drink	Amount of caffeine (mg)
Mug of instant coffee	100 mg
Mug of filter coffee	140 mg
Mug of tea	75 mg
330 ml can of cola	40 mg
250 ml can of energy drink	80 mg (larger cans may have up to 160 mg)
50 g bar of plain chocolate	less than 25 mg
50 g bar of milk chocolate	less than 10 mg

Further information, other languages and alternative formats

Translations and alternative formats of this information are available from Public Health Scotland.

What to Eat and What to Avoid

You’ve probably heard a lot of do’s and don’ts when it comes to your pregnancy. Among these, there are several food rules you’ve likely encountered — and some may seem confusing. Case in point: What’s the deal with not being able to eat certain cheeses?

Don’t fret — many (if not most) of your favorite cheeses can be a healthy part of your pregnancy diet. Here’s how to navigate the cheese options at your grocery store.

Pregnant people are 10 times more likely than other adults to develop a serious infection called listeriosis. In fact, pregnant people make up about 1 out of every 6 people who develop this infection. It’s caused by Listeria bacteria that can be found in raw, unpasteurized milk and certain other foods.

As a result, experts recommend that you steer clear from any cheeses or other dairy products that are made using unpasteurized milk. You’ll need to stick to pasteurized varieties instead. Pasteurization is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill off harmful bacteria.

Here’s the good news: Most cheeses you’ll find on the shelves in the United States are safe to consume — including many soft cheeses that you may traditionally associate with being unsafe.

Always read labels carefully and look for the word “pasteurized” when choosing cheeses. In general, safe cheeses will be found in the standard dairy cooler area of your grocery store.

Otherwise, it’s a good idea to buy individual blocks or bags of shredded cheese versus having your cheese cut from a wheel (you might risk cross-contamination this way).

Safe varieties include but aren’t limited to:

American
Colby
cheddar
Monterey Jack
pepper jack
Colby Jack
mozzarella
Muenster
provolone
Swiss
Gouda
Parmesan
Romano
cottage cheese
cream cheese
ricotta
any other cheeses (cow, goat, sheep) made using pasteurized milk

Soft cheeses, bacteria-ripened cheeses, and blue-veined cheeses are the types you may find in the deli or specialty aisles of your grocery store. Depending on the brand or source, they may or may not be pasteurized.

The same thing goes with cheeses you may find at your local farm stand or farmers market.

Potentially unsafe cheeses include:

Brie
Camembert
feta
Roquefort
queso fresco
queso blanco
panela

Check labels carefully to see if the cheese in question is made with pasteurized milk. If it’s unclear on the packaging, be sure to ask a store associate before purchasing. And when in doubt, choose something else.

FYI: Federal laws are in place that make it illegal in some states to sell raw milk and other dairy products across state lines. There is one exception to this rule, and it’s for cheeses that are aged longer than 60 days. However, it still may not be worth the risk.

Related: 13 foods to eat while you’re pregnant

Unpasteurized cheeses may harbor E. coli or Listeria, which are harmful strains of bacteria that can make you sick with food poisoning.

Again, you have a higher risk of developing foodborne illnesses when you’re pregnant. While most infections are mild, there are complications that may become life-threatening.

Worst-case scenario, you could develop a blood infection or even meningitis, which is the inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain. This is rare.

What’s more concerning is that you may pass on the illness to your baby even if you don’t feel sick yourself. Complications for the baby include miscarriage, premature birth, illness, or even infant death from infection.

But my farmer tests their raw milk. Is it safe?

Unfortunately, a negative lab test is not a 100-percent guarantee that the milk used in cheese is safe to consume. It may be negative one day and positive the next, as bacteria can grow quickly. And low levels of contamination don’t always show up on lab testing.

Was this helpful?

If you’ve accidentally eaten cheese that’s in the unsafe category, try not to worry too much. That said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that around 1,600 people become ill from Listeria bacteria each year. Of them, around 260 die.

Keep an eye on yourself to see if you feel ill. You may notice diarrhea or stomach upset first. In the meantime, contact your doctor if you have questions about your potential exposure. Your doctor can draw your blood to test for infection and give you antibiotics, if necessary.

Be on the lookout if you develop flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, etc.). These symptoms are associated with a more serious infection. It can take between 1 and 4 weeks to develop — and some people haven’t reported symptoms until 70 days after eating contaminated foods.

Related: 11 foods and beverages to avoid during pregnancy

Your favorite pasteurized cheeses can be a part of your pregnancy diet. Just be sure to read labels carefully while shopping and ask questions whenever the cheese’s pasteurization status is unclear.

If you really love unpasteurized cheeses, stay strong. You’ll be back to eating them after your baby is born with much less worry — so start pinning those fancy cheese plate recipes now!

Is it possible to eat cheese during pregnancy?

Cheese is a tasty and healthy product, beloved by many. That is why the statement of some doctors that any cheese is strictly forbidden to women during pregnancy can seriously spoil the mood. However, you should not despair - if you dig deeper, it turns out that everything is not so categorical. Below we will understand what are the benefits and harms of cheeses for pregnant women.

Which cheeses should be avoided during pregnancy

Despite all its usefulness and the abundance of microelements and vitamins in its composition, some types of cheese can sometimes cause irreparable harm to a woman and her unborn baby. These are unpasteurized cheeses, which may contain Listeria monocyotogenes, the bacterium that causes listeriosis. Acute infectious disease is severe and is accompanied by chills, high fever, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. Such a severe clinical picture can lead to a miscarriage or the development of severe pathologies in the fetus - given this, it is necessary to be extremely selective in choosing cheeses during childbearing.

The infectious bacterium lives in unpasteurized cheeses made from sheep's and goat's milk that have not undergone heat treatment. We are talking about soft types of cheese and varieties with mold: dor blue, brie, camembert, cambonzola, etc. Also at risk are cheeses with blue mold: Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Savoy cheese. Such products contain a lot of liquid and little acid, which is the most favorable environment for the development of Listeria monocyotogenes.

Why mold is harmful when carrying a child

In addition to the risk of getting sick with listeriosis, eating delicious marbled cheeses, you run the risk of experiencing all the delights of the impact on the body of "noble" mold. So, valuable blue mold, which gives cheeses such a refined taste, endows the product with a number of side qualities. Being a pure antibiotic, mold kills the beneficial microflora that inhabits the body, which can cause intestinal dysbacteriosis and disrupt the digestive tract.

An imbalance of water and lactic acid in moldy foods can lead to the growth of fungus in the body, which is also highly undesirable for a pregnant woman who is already in a vulnerable state. Given the foregoing, doctors strongly recommend abandoning "live" cheeses for the period of bearing a child.

Which cheeses are safe for pregnant women? Under the influence of high temperature and careful processing, pathogenic bacteria die, making the cheese not only tasty, but also safe. Such cheeses include: gouda, maasdam, parmesan, cheddar, Poshekhonsky, etc. - all of them will not harm a pregnant woman, since the environment favorable for the life of bacteria is destroyed during high temperature processing.

Eating hard cheeses, you will get the whole range of nutrients, saturate the body with calcium and, in addition, diversify your diet with a delicious product.

There is also good news for lovers of soft cheeses: there are varieties that pregnant women can safely include in their diet. These include delicious varieties such as feta, philadelphia, mascarpone, cottage cheese, goat cheese without rind (pasteurized), processed cheeses, etc. The technology for the production of such cheeses involves heat treatment, during which bacteria die. With soft cheeses, you can create various dishes, including delicious and healthy desserts - what could be better for a pregnant woman!

When to start eating moldy soft cheeses

Once your baby is born and the breastfeeding period is over, you can enjoy the full range of cheeses, including the gourmet blue mold varieties. Soft cheeses from Zhukovka are rightfully considered one of the best. Accurate adherence to production technology, verified to the gram of the recipe - all this allows you to make truly gourmet cheeses. By the way, the manufacturer's assortment also includes pasteurized soft varieties, for example, classic feta cheese, which is safe for women in an interesting position.

the whole truth about the fermented milk product

Pregnant women try to monitor their diet and include healthy foods containing various vitamins and trace elements in their diet. Cheese is one such product. However, future mothers do not even realize that some types of cheese should not be eaten during pregnancy.

legion-media

Fermented milk products, which include cheese, are a source of calcium and protein, which is so necessary for mother and child during pregnancy. However, you need to be careful with some types of cheese.

Contents of the article

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Can pregnant women eat cheese?

Most cheeses can be eaten during pregnancy. Hard cheeses such as cheddar and parmesan, as well as soft pasteurized cheeses, are safe in moderation.

Pasteurization is the heating of milk to a certain temperature to kill potentially dangerous bacteria.

Cheese is a good source of calcium and protein, which strengthen bones and promote healthy growth of the baby in the womb.

A slice of cheese, along with whole grain crackers (or other complex carbohydrates), can help eliminate nausea, increase energy levels and mood, avoid headaches, and improve sleep.

However, you need to know the measure. Because cheese is also high in sodium and saturated fat. One serving of cheese should be 100 grams - about the size of a thumb.

Doctors recommend that pregnant women eat a total of three servings of dairy products per day, preferably low fat, which include milk, yogurt, cottage cheese in addition to cheese.

ADVERTISING - CONTINUED BELOW

Benefits of cheese for pregnant women

Each type of cheese has its own unique composition. Different varieties of this fermented milk product differ in the percentage of fat content and the content of nutrients.

Useful qualities common to most types of cheese:

high protein content, which is an integral part of blood, lymph, and also participates in the formation of embryonic tissues;
the ability to increase appetite, which is especially important in cases of toxicosis in pregnant women;
saturation with B vitamins, which are responsible for the proper growth of the fetus, improve metabolic processes, increase the energy reserves of the body;
high content of calcium, which strengthens bones, improves the condition of the skin, nails and hair;
low lactose, which is not well tolerated by many people;
beneficial effect on brain activity;
the ability to normalize blood pressure and have a sedative effect.

Cheeses such as Poshekhonsky and Hollandsky have a high energy value, so they are best consumed during breakfast.

Cheese made from yak milk contains folic acid, the most important element in the formation of all systems and organs of the baby, which reduces the risk of neural tube defects.

Adyghe cheese has a low fat content, so it is often recommended for pregnant women who are prone to gaining excess weight.

Fatty varieties can be included in the menu during pregnancy, but they have a low content of vitamins E and D. These vitamins are very important for the proper development of the baby in the womb, they are involved in the formation of his skeletal system, prevent the development of intrauterine anomalies, and also reduce the risk of premature births and miscarriages.

Which cheese is best for pregnancy?

1. Hard cheeses such as cheddar, Russian, parmesan, maasdam, gouda, edam, and cheddar are the safest choice during pregnancy.

Hard cheese contains less moisture than soft cheese, making it less likely to grow potentially harmful bacteria, even if made from unpasteurized milk.

2. Pasteurized soft cheese during pregnancy is another win-win option.

Almost all cheeses sold in the retail chain are pasteurized by default. You can come across unpasteurized cheese at the farmers' market or buy imported cheese at the grocery store.

During pregnancy, it is better to buy cheeses with labels that are produced in factories inspected by Rospotrebnadzor.

Safe soft cheeses (if pasteurized) are: creamy, cottage cheese, feta, Adyghe, mascarpone and philadelphia.

3. It is safe to eat any cheese that has been heated to steam, such as on pizza. Since Listeria grows at low temperatures, and dies at high temperatures.

Cheese to avoid during pregnancy

It is recommended to avoid unpasteurized soft cheese during pregnancy. This product may contain listeria bacteria, which cause listeriosis, a dangerous disease for pregnant women.

When Listeria penetrates the placenta into the amniotic fluid, the embryo becomes infected. His death can occur both in the womb and immediately after birth.

The mother, being a carrier of the disease, can infect the baby during childbirth. Among the signs of the disease that can occur in a woman, nausea, chills, and muscle pain can be distinguished.

Most often, Listeria is found in soft varieties and gourmet favorite blue cheeses. To protect herself and her baby from this dangerous bacterium, a woman should not include cheese products made from milk that has not undergone pasteurization in her diet.

Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to develop listeriosis than the general population. This infection can be transmitted to the unborn child and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or death of the newborn.

The following types of cheese should be avoided by the expectant mother: