Safe Dairy Products for
The American Pregnancy Association recommends at least three servings of dairy a day during pregnancy. Dairy products not only contain vitamin A and vitamin D, but are a great source of protein and calcium as well, all which help your baby grow and develop properly. However, with warnings about Listeria and other food-borne illnesses, some pregnant women feel nervous about eating dairy products because they are not sure which are safe. Although there are some dairy products that should be avoided during pregnancy, there are also many safe options.
Dairy Products to Avoid
Any dairy product that contains unpasteurized milk may lead to food-borne illnesses and should be avoided. Some examples of dairy products to avoid include brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort, gorgonzola, blue cheese, and Mexican-style cheeses, such as queso blanco, queso fresco and panela. Any dairy product that is past its expiration date should also be avoided.
Safe Cheese
There are many types of cheese that are safe for pregnant women to eat. Most hard cheeses and semi-soft cheeses are safe to consume. These include cheddar, mozzarella, pasteurized processed cheese slices and spreads like cottage cheese or cream cheese. When in doubt, it is always best to check the label to make sure it specifically states that the cheese is made from pasteurized milk. If the label does not clearly state this, the cheese should be avoided.
Milk
Milk should be one of the staples of a pregnant woman's diet. Although whole milk may provide extra vitamin D, it also will provide extra calories as well, which is something to take into consideration if you are watching your weight gain. Skim or low fat milk offers a good amount of calcium but much fewer calories.
Yogurt
Yogurt is not only a safe choice for pregnant women, but a smart choice as well. It contains active cultures that can reduce the risk of yeast infections, provides more calcium than milk and is a great source of protein as well. In addition, yogurt is usually a bit easier to digest than some of the other dairy products, which may make it a good choice for those who are lactose intolerant or have other difficulties digesting dairy.
Ice Cream
Although it's a bit of a cliché, pregnant women may be relieved to hear that ice cream is safe to eat during pregnancy. It is not only a good antidote to sweet tooth cravings, but a good source of calcium and protein as well. Just be careful, because although eating ice cream has many benefits, it is very high in calories and fat and should be eaten in moderation.
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