Yes, as long as it is made from pasteurized milk, cream cheese is generally safe to consume while pregnant. However, make sure the cream cheese is not past its expiration date and consume it in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Soft cheeses, such as Brie or blue cheese, as well as mold-ripened cheeses, should also be avoided because they may contain listeria bacteria, which can be harmful to the fetus. For personalized advice, always consult with a doctor or a health professional.
What is Cream Cheese?
Although Brie, Camembert, chive, and other soft cheeses have likely been advised against during pregnancy, cream cheese is not one of these foods. It is soft, yes, but only because it is a spread. The cream is typically used to make cream cheese, however, cream and milk can also be used. Pasteurization, or heating to temperatures that kill pathogens (bad bacteria), renders the cream, or cream and milk, safe for consumption. Then it is curdled, typically by adding “healthy” bacteria that produce lactic acid. Finally, to give the spread its distinctive smooth texture, cream cheese producers heat the curds and add stabilizers and thickeners.
When Expecting, is Cream Cheese Safe to Eat?
Yes! Despite being smooth and spreadable, cream cheese is not a soft cheese. Pasteurized milk is used to make cream cheese, and during the heating process, hazardous bacteria are destroyed. Sour cream is also safe for pregnant women for this reason. Although the pasteurization procedure is typical in American production, it could not be in other nations. Unpasteurized milk and cheese are popular in several regions of the world. Avoid cream cheese and other dairy products that you are unsure about if you travel or if someone brings you a treat from another nation.
The pasteurization of the cream is a crucial step in the production of American cream cheese that renders it safe for consumption by expectant mothers. As we already explained, heating destroys dangerous microorganisms.
This includes listeria germs, which can lead to a harmful illness in persons who already have compromised immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and, you guessed it, women who are pregnant. So rejoice, cream cheese lovers: you may eat it while you’re pregnant.
Is it Healthy for you to Eat Cream Cheese While you’re Pregnant?
Cream cheese has a high-fat content, like many kinds of cheese and cheese spreads. For instance, 1 ounce of Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese, the most widely consumed brand, contains 10 grams of fat, of which 6 are saturated. This equals a staggering 29% of the daily recommended intake of saturated fat. When you’re pregnant, fat is not your enemy; in fact, you need fat to grow a kid! However, if you consume too much, you could develop issues like gestational diabetes. Take cream cheese occasionally as a pleasure. There are whipped variants as well that have the same fantastic flavor but less fat.
Unusual Circumstances
No store-bought cream cheese that contained raw, unpasteurized cream could be located. But it’s conceivable that there is such a thing out there. In a similar vein, you might find recipes for producing your own cream cheese from raw cream. Additionally, there are items that resemble cream cheese in other nations that may contain raw dairy.
The French cheese Neufchatel, which is manufactured from unpasteurized milk, is probably the most renowned example. So you’ll need to pass on both if your friend brings you back French Neufchatel cheese and a bottle of French wine, at least until your bun comes out of the oven. (Take note that Neufchatel cheese sold in the United States has been pasteurized and is safe.) It is never safe to eat cream cheese made from unpasteurized milk or cream if you are pregnant.
It may result in listeriosis, an infection brought on by the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium that has significant dangers for both you and your unborn child. Be mindful of the expiration date. Cream cheese’s short shelf life is another drawback.
So, be sure to consume it before it expires or within two weeks after purchase, whichever comes first. Avoid stealing a taste and then returning back for more with your spreading knife; doing so introduces bacteria that can grow and thrive, producing microbial contamination and hastening the rate at which it spoils.
What Other Information Regarding Cream Cheese Should you Know While Pregnant?
You should pay particular attention to the cream cheese or cream cheese spread’s expiration date. In the refrigerator, these products frequently don’t last very long. Regularly examine your labels to stay healthy. Additionally, you must watch out when double-dipping to prevent unintentional bacterial contamination of your cream cheese!
And while if a small amount of cream cheese won’t harm your health, you should still eat it in moderation because it contains a lot of fat. An undesirable pregnancy weight or issues like gestational diabetes could result from taking too much. whipped cheese.
This crowd-pleaser is sure to sate your yearning for delectable comfort food, whether you use it to make icing for your red velvet cake or simply spread it on your morning bagel. Speaking of appetites, if you’re expecting, you can find this dessert even more alluring when it’s incorporated into savory or sweet meals. However, you may be aware that soft cheeses should be avoided when pregnant.
Additional Information on Cheeses you can Eat While Pregnant
Pasteurization Kills Listeria Monocytogenes Bacteria
If you consume food that contains Listeria monocytogenes, you can develop a serious illness called Listeriosis. It is a bacterium that can cross the placenta, which means it can cause illness to both the pregnant woman and her unborn child. If you consume unpasteurized cream cheese or eat foods that are not properly washed, you risk exposing your child to Listeria. Although the symptoms of Listeriosis usually go away, the infection can be serious and may cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
It can also lead to complications in the baby, such as severe dehydration and premature birth. Pregnant women are 13 times more likely to contract Listeriosis than the general population. This infection can also lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm labor. To avoid the risks of listeriosis, it is important to learn more about the foods that are safe to eat and those that are not.
While pregnant women are especially vulnerable to this infection, it is not uncommon for a pregnant woman to consume contaminated food. Fortunately, the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in the general population has decreased to less than one-third of one percent. There have been no major recalls of meat or poultry products since 2002. Pasteurization kills the bacteria in food by destroying it.
Pasteurized Milk is Safer than Raw Milk
There are numerous health benefits of drinking pasteurized milk. This type of milk is generally safe for pregnant women and their growing babies. However, raw milk may contain dangerous bacteria. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires milk producers to pasteurize their products at a temperature of at least 161 degrees Fahrenheit. This kills many of the harmful microbes in milk. According to former FDA food safety division chief David Acheson, raw milk can cause significant and even deadly infections in humans.
The process of pasteurization kills bacteria, including Listeria. It prevents the milk cream from rising to the top. Most commercially produced milk is homogenized. But some milk is not, such as organic milk. In either case, the milk is still safe. Moreover, it contains all 8 essential amino acids. Therefore, it’s safer to drink pasteurized milk when you are pregnant than unpasteurized milk.
Hard Cheeses are Safer than Soft Cheeses
While eating soft cheeses while pregnant, be sure to check the labels. Many soft kinds of cheese have listeria, a bacteria that can be harmful to both the mother and unborn child. To be on the safe side, go with the hard variety. And when buying soft cheeses, opt for ones that are cooked and have been pasteurized. If you must have soft cheese, avoid feta.
If you’re considering eating soft cheese while pregnant, you should make sure it’s pasteurized. Unpasteurized cheeses contain listeria. And you’re not the only pregnant woman who needs to avoid dairy products – consuming raw animal products is not recommended for women attempting to get pregnant. Unlike soft cheeses, hard cheeses are more likely to be made from pasteurized milk, which kills listeria.
Laughing Cow Cream Cheese is Safe to Eat During Pregnancy
If you’re a pregnant woman wondering whether Laughing Cow cream cheese is safe to consume, you’re not alone. The majority of cream cheeses are pasteurized, making them safe for consumption by pregnant women. However, not all types are safe to eat while pregnant. Some cheeses are made with raw milk that has been pasteurized, so they may contain bacteria that can harm an unborn baby.
Laughing cow cheese is safe for consumption during pregnancy because it has a low risk of causing listeriosis. Listeria is a bacteria found in some types of cheese, including soft cheese and raw milk. Listeria is not affected by cold temperatures and is therefore only a risk when consumed with raw or unpasteurized cheese. Laughing cow cheese contains lots of calcium, which is a crucial nutrient for both mother and fetus.
Can a Pregnant Woman Consume Philadelphia Cream Cheese?
Because cream cheese is manufactured from pasteurized milk, which is acceptable to consume while pregnant, it is safe to eat. Additionally, cream cheese is a cheese spread, which is very distinct from soft cheese. Soft cheeses prepared with raw milk, or those that have not been pasteurized, should be avoided during pregnancy.
Is Cheesecake Acceptable While Pregnant?
Cheesecake is safe to eat when expecting. To be sure your cake is made using pasteurized ingredients, just make sure to read the label while you’re out to dine or buy something. If you’re cooking cheesecake at home, use pasteurized ingredients and cook the eggs completely.
Conclusion
Cream cheese is a cheese spread prepared from pasteurized dairy, not a soft cheese. It is therefore safe for pregnant women to ingest. Of course, whether or not you are pregnant, you should always be mindful of the expiration dates and the components when deciding what to consume. It is best to follow a nutrient-dense diet full of whole foods including vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats and protein sources during all stages of life, including pregnancy. Given that, indulge knowing that a small amount of cream cheese spread over a toasted bagel may go a long way toward satisfying a craving.