Can you eat mascarpone cheese when pregnant?
In this article we are going to answer can you eat mascarpone cheese when pregnant, what is mascarpone cheese, is mascarpone cheese healthy to eat when pregnant, and what is the risk of eating mascarpone cheese from unpasteurized milk and how can you add mascarpone cheese to your healthy diet.
Can you eat mascarpone cheese when pregnant?
Yes, you can eat mascarpone cheese when pregnant as long as it has been made with pasteurized milk. All commercial mascarpone cheese is made with pasteurized cheese according to food regulations in almost every country, especially in the UK and USA.
If you come to mascarpone cheese made with unpasteurized milk, you will need to cook it until steaming hot or internal temperature of 160 F to kill all food poisoning bacteria.
What is mascarpone cheese?
Mascarpone cheese or mascarpone is a type of cheese that originated in Italy. It is made from heavy cream and citric acid or tartaric acid. Heavy cream is heated and then the acid is added to solidify and thicken the cream. After that, it is run through a cheesecloth to remove excess liquid.
Mascarpone cheese is similar to cream cheese, ricotta cheese, creme fraiche, or clotted cream but it is more sweet and acidic.
Is mascarpones cheese healthy to eat when pregnant?
According to the USDA, 28 grams or 1 ounce of mascarpone cheese contains:
- 120 calories
- 14 grams of fat
- 10 mg of sodium
- 0 grams of carbohydrates
- 0 grams of sugar
- 2 grams of protein
- 40 mg of calcium
The fat content is what gives consistency to mascarpone cheese. It is a very good low-carb cheese. Over 70% of its calories come from fat and they are almost all saturated fats, it is a good source of essential amino acids.
What is the risk of eating mascarpone cheese from unpasteurized milk?
If you eat mascarpone cheese from unpasteurized milk there is a risk of food poisoning. According to the FDA, mascarpone cheese can be contaminated with listeria or other food poisoning bacteria if made with unpasteurized milk. You need to reheat and cook it always.
Although nowadays it’s very difficult to catch an infection, unpasteurized dairy products are a risk. The three main diseases you can contract are toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and listeriosis.
Listeria monocytogenes are the main bacteria that can be found in unpasteurized dairy products. It causes listeriosis. If you let the bacteria go too far, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and other health problems.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, approximately 2,5000 people will get infected with listeria every year.
It means that it’s very rare to get infected but pregnant women are in a more delicate condition and need to be a little more careful because it could lead to fatal health conditions.
Toxoplasma Gondii is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. For a normal, healthy person, it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms but for pregnant women, it’s too risky, it can cause serious health problems. One important thing to add is that once you contract toxoplasmosis you can’t contract it again.
Salmonella is a bacteria that can be very dangerous in pregnant women. It also causes digestive symptoms like the other pathogens listed above. One important thing about salmonella is that it can cause bacteremia, a condition where there is bacteria in the blood and can be fatal to pregnant women.
So why are pregnant women more likely to get infected? Because their immune system is compromised and does not work as well as for a healthy person. Also, remember that while the baby is not fully developed, the baby it’s at risk too.
Symptoms include
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills and fevers
- Muscle pain
- In pregnant women, it may cause flu-like symptoms with fever and chills
How can you add mascarpone cheese to your healthy diet?
Mascarpone cheese can be added to a variety of dishes. It has become very famous because it is perfect to use in desserts, especially tiramisu. You can add it to pasta, mashed potatoes, eggs, or desserts. It is a very good cheese to buy as part of your healthy and balanced diet when pregnant.
Here are some mascarpone cheese recipe ideas.
If you can’t find mascarpone at your local stores you can do it yourself, follow this link. Just make sure to buy pasteurized ingredients.
Other FAQs about Cheese that you may be interested in.
What can I substitute for gruyere cheese in mac and cheese?
Does Parmigiano Reggiano cheese go bad?
Conclusion
This article answered can you eat mascarpone cheese when pregnant, what is mascarpone cheese, is mascarpone cheese healthy to eat when pregnant, and what is the risk of eating mascarpone cheese from unpasteurized milk and how can you add mascarpone cheese to your healthy diet.
Citation
https://www.netmums.com/pregnancy/can-you-eat-mascarpone-when-pregnant
