Are There Any Cheeses I Should Avoid While Pregnant?

You and the hubby have been planning for some time and now you're excited to tell everyone the news. Or maybe the little one coming is a surprise and you're frantically scheduling doctor visits in between morning sickness, work and studying all the best things you should do now that you're pregnant. Either way, congratulations! It's sure to be a fantastic journey. I bet you've already started worrying about every little morsel you put in your mouth. You get contradicting advice from different people and it can all be confusing. Here are a few things about cheese to help make things a little clearer.

By all means it is good for you to eat right now. You and the little one growing in your womb need all the calcium and protein you can get. This is the only time in a woman's life that she can build calcium back into her bones. Choose cheese by the bricks, or get the lighter versions that come in tubs, like Cottage. Eat it for meals, or snack on it. And a bonus is it goes well with the saltines that may have become your best friend.

You may like to stay away from some of the smelly kinds simply because they can turn the stomach. That's okay, there are enough choices out there that if it doesn't appeal, don't eat it. But did you know that there are some cheeses you need to avoid entirely during this special time of your life?

The cheeses you need to stay away from right now are the ones that don't clearly state 'made from pasteurized milk.' Generally speaking this includes most of the soft cheeses. In America you can often find cheese that would normally be made from raw milk, made with pasteurized. And the only reason you would need to avoid a certain variety or style is if it comes from raw sources. The problem with raw milk is it can carry disease causing organisms, and right now you're particularly vulnerable and your growing baby is even more so.

When in the store take the time to read the label on your favorite Feta or Brie and you may be surprised to see its sources are pasteurized. If it's not clearly stated it's best to avoid this, at least for a few months. But by all means don't keep this valuable source of calcium, protein, and tastiness off the menu!