Feta Cheese And Pregnancy
I have been hearing a lot about feta cheese and pregnancy not mixing well together. So this leads to an obvious question, is feta cheese safe during pregnancy?
What you have heard is not far off the mark, as it is strongly encouraged for expectant mothers to avoid eating cheeses made from unpasteurized milk. This is because it is simply not safe for a woman to eat or drink anything made from raw milk throughout her pregnancy.
Most cheeses that you will find on the shelves in many grocery stores in North America, will generally be made from pasteurized milk, but you will have to be extremely cautious and check the labels whenever you are buying any type of cheese. Soft cheeses such as feta, brie, and gorgonzola are more likely to be made from unpasteurized milk, than other cheeses. Pregnant women are encouraged to avoid these types of cheese because they may contain bacteria known as Listeria.
Listeria can be very dangerous for a pregnant woman because it can cause complications such as a miscarriage or premature birth. Keep in mind that the amount of people who contract Listeria each year is a very rare occurrence in North America. However, the danger is very real and there is no doubt your unborn child could be put in great peril if you are not careful about what you eat.
However, this does not mean that you have to avoid eating all types of cheese whenever you are pregnant. Such cheeses as cheddar, cottage cheese, cream cheese and mozzarella are generally safe for an expectant mother to consume. Just to be on the safe side, you should always read labels and ensure that any cheese you buy is made from pasteurized milk.
You also want to avoid buying any cheeses that do not list the ingredients, such as many cheeses that can be bought at a farmer’s market. Whenever you are pregnant it is always best to play it safe and avoid eating any types of food that may pose a risk to your unborn child.
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