You may be craving for some cheesy foods, yet are not sure whether it is good for your health. In term of nutrition, cheese is really good for your health. It is enriched with high calcium that is advantageous for your bone structure and strength. It is also loaded with protein and minerals. You should not stop consuming cheese only because finding out you are pregnant. You only need to really pay attention to what kind of cheese you should eat during pregnancy.

What are various types of Cheese?

Based on its making process, cheese is divided into raw and pasteurized cheese. Raw cheese is produced without the step of heating the cow or goat milk, while pasteurized cheese, as the name suggest, is produced through heating the milk to certain temperature to eliminate any bacteria that can contaminate the milk. In addition, based on its structure, cheese is divided into soft and hard cheese. Soft cheese is made from the unpasteurized milk with a purpose not to eliminate the good bacteria that might be contained in the milk. Hard cheese is the result of pasteurized milk and therefore, has undergone the heating process that heighten the chance of being free from the bad bacteria. Although hard cheese seems to be safer to consume, soft cheese also has its own strength. Because this type of cheese is produced without setting it into high temperature, this kind of cheese maintains some good bacteria inside and this makes the cheese more nutritious than the hard one. Despite this, you do not have to worry because the pasteurization does not ruin the nutritious contents, such as calcium, mineral, and protein, so that the hard cheese is indeed nutritious.

Which one is good for me while Pregnant?

When you are not pregnant, it is really your preference of choosing any cheese you would like to consume. Now you are pregnant and considering a lot of things before putting them into your body. As for cheese during pregnancy, hard cheese is more advised. It is because it is less likely to contain harmful bacteria after being heated in high temperature. Some kinds of hard cheese includes cheddar and mozzarella cheese. These types are the most commonly used in pizzas and pasta. Instead, you should consider avoiding the soft cheese during your pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding. Soft cheese that needs to be left during pregnancy are feta, blue-vein, and blue cheese. These types are more likely to be exposed to bacteria because of the absence of the heating step.

What are the Tips on Eating Cheese while Pregnant?

Although hard pasteurized cheese is a healthier choice for expecting moms, you should consider some things when eating cheese during pregnancy. It is because the cheese making process may be contaminated by Listeria, the bacteria found in water and soil. Although this is a rare disease, you should remember that when you are pregnant, you are more likely to be exposed because of your degrading immune. In pregnant women, Listeria infection can cause miscarriage, premature birth, newborn infection, and newborn death. Therefore, some things need more attention when consuming cheesy foods while pregnant.

1. Choose hard and/or pasteurized cheese. This will prevent you from being exposed to contaminating bacteria. Choose cheddar or mozzarella cheese while pregnant. Pasteurized soft cheese, though, are also safe to be consumed. It includes cheese spread or cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sliced cheese.
2. When eating cheesy food out, you should be really cautious. Be sure the foods—includes the cheese is preheated to make sure it is clean from bacteria.
3. Should you choose soft cheese to be mixed with your foods during pregnancy, make sure you cook it thoroughly, until they get brownish, not only melting.
4. Avoid all kinds of goat cheese during pregnancy as it may be contaminated with Toxoplasmosis

Pregnancy does not omit your chance of eating cheesy foods. You only need to be more cautious in choosing the kind of cheese to eat, because your immune system is degrading during pregnancy. Pasteurized cheese or completely cooked soft cheese is considered safe during your time carrying the baby.