Eating cheese while pregnant: which one is safe, which one is dangerous? & bull; hello healthy

When you are pregnant, there are various dietary restrictions that must be followed. You probably already know that pregnant women are advised to avoid eating raw foods such as sushi or eggs. But what about cheese? Is it okay to eat cheese while pregnant? To clear up the various myths about the risks of eating cheese during pregnancy, consider the following reviews.

Is it true that cheese is full of bacteria?

Cheese is a fermented dairy product. In the fermentation process, cow or goat milk will be cultured in such a way that bacteria will multiply. The bacteria found in fermented milk products include Lactobacillus and Lactococcus.

However, don't worry when you hear the term bacteria. Bacteria that grow in the fermentation process are good bacteria. Good bacteria are acidic, so the bad and dangerous bacteria will actually die. This is because bad bacteria cannot live in acidic conditions.

Can you eat cheese while pregnant?

Eating cheese while pregnant is safe to do. In fact, good bacteria are needed by pregnant women to maintain the health of the fetus and pregnancy. However, not all types of cheese are free from bad bacteria. Cheese made from raw milk or non-pasteurized milk is dangerous for pregnancy.

Pasteurized milk has been processed at very high temperatures to kill germs and bad bacteria. Meanwhile, if the milk used to process cheese is still raw, the chances of growing bad bacteria called Listeria are greater.

Meanwhile, some types of cheese with a very soft texture (cheese that cannot be shredded) are also more susceptible to the growth of bad bacteria. This is because soft cheese has a very low acidity. Bad bacteria can reproduce easily.

Risks of eating cheese while pregnant

If you eat cheese from unpasteurized milk during pregnancy, you are at risk of developing a bacterial infection. Listeria bacterial infection is usually characterized by fever, chills, back pain, muscle aches, and weakness. New symptoms will appear about a week after you eat cheese that contains bad bacteria. The treatment is taking antibiotics. For the record, bacterial infections and taking certain antibiotics can cause fetal growth disorders.

Cheese that is safe for pregnant women

To make sure you don't eat cheese wrong while pregnant, pay attention to the information on the packaging. If there is an indication such as "raw cheese " or "Unpasteurised", the cheese is not safe for you. However, generally frozen cheese that is in a safe block form and has been pasteurized.

Cheddar, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese are safe for consumption by pregnant women. Meanwhile, cheeses that need to be avoided are those with a very soft texture such as feta, brie, and camembert. So, if you eat at a restaurant or when you visit a relative's house, don't hesitate to ask what kind of cheese is served. However, to be safe you can completely avoid eating cheese while pregnant.