Can you eat grana Padano when pregnant?
In this article we are going to answer the question can you eat Grana Padano, what is grana Padano, is grana Padano pasteurized, if it is healthy, what cheese can you eat when pregnant and what types of cheese you should avoid when pregnant, and some ideas of how to add it to your diet.
Can you eat grana Padano when pregnant?
Yes, you can eat grana padano when pregnant. It is completely safe. Because it is a hard cheese with very low water content it is very unlikely to grow listeriosis.
It goes through very specific food regulations because it is made with unpasteurized milk. Through the process set in the Production Specification Rules, they guarantee the elimination of any pathogens.
What is grana Padano?
It is a hard, flaky cheese made with raw milk from Italy. Grana Padano cheese is aged for a minimum of 9 months and a maximum of 20 months.
It can only be named if it is made in a very specific part of Italy because it is protected by its Protected Designation of Origin. You can serve it on a cheese board or use it with some pasta.
It has a low content of water. It has to be refrigerated at about 40 F and sealed in a container or plastic bag. If there is some mold on the cheese, you can just cut the piece with a knife.
It can be compared with parmesan cheese but grana Padano has more specifications and regulations to meet.
Is grana Padano pasteurized?
No, normally it is not made with pasteurized cow’s milk but is safe to eat when pregnant because it is aged for 9 to 20 months. It contains low water content which makes it more difficult for listeria to grow.
Is grana padano healthy when pregnant?
Yes! Adding cheese to your diet is an excellent source of protein and especially
calcium and vitamin B.
- Excellent source of protein that is vital for muscle building blocks and the development and growth of the baby.
- Rich in Calcium. Calcium is one of the most important nutrients we all need, especially for our bones. Dairy food is our first option to always include enough calcium in our diet.
- Rich in Vitamin D: This is one of the most important vitamins women need during pregnancy. Lately, many women have a deficiency of this vitamin and very few know it. The recommendation is 400-600 ug per day of Vitamin D.
- Rich in phosphorus, zinc, Vitamin A, and b12. All of these are very important for bone health, wound healing, eye and skin health, and the production of red blood cells.
What cheese can I eat when pregnant?
You can eat hard cheese even if made with unpasteurized milk and some soft cheese made with pasteurized milk are safe to eat when pregnant. Some examples are:
- Cheddar
- American
- Cottage
- Cream Cheese
- Gouda
- Grana Padano
- Mozzarella
- Provolone
- Swiss
- Romano
What cheese should I avoid when pregnant?
You should avoid soft cheese, bacteria-ripened, and blue-veined cheese that tend to grow listeria. Here is a list of cheese that is usually unsafe to pregnant women:
- Brie
- Camembert
- Feta
- Roquefort
- Queso fresco
- Queso Blanco
- Panela
- Curd
The risk of food poisoning with this type of cheese is too high because they have a very high water content. Pregnant women are too susceptible to this type of food poisoning. They are 20 times more susceptible to having worse side effects.
The FDA says that soft cheese, unpasteurized, is 50 to 160 times more prone to be contaminated with bacteria, especially Listeria monocytogenes.
The main side effects you can experience with a foodborne illness:
- Blood or brain infections
- Seizures
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Miscarriage
- Preterm labor
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Fever
How can I add Grana Padano to my diet when pregnant?
Grana Padano is an excellent cheese you can use grated. You can use it in a variety of foods.
- You can use it on a cheese board with some fruit like grapes, dates, or crackers
- You can top your salad or soup
- Make some grated cheese pasta
Here are some recipes to use Grana Padano in the kitchen, hope you enjoy it!
Other FAQs about Cheese that you may be interested in.
Can you eat blue cheese if you are allergic to penicillin?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question can you eat Grana Padano, what is grana Padano, is grana Padano pasteurized, if it is healthy, what cheese can you eat when pregnant and what types of cheese you should avoid when pregnant, and some ideas of how to add it to your diet.
Citation
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